Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-08-13
GENERAL CHARLES WOODRUFF.

On July &c Col. Charles A. Woodruff
subsistence department. L. ;. a., was
placed on the retired list with the rank
of brisadier- general. He is but IS years
of age, but he has been promoted and re-
tired with 80 other colonies of the army
whose service dates back to the Civil
War in order to confer rewards upon
officers whose served in the Army of the
Union and who were approaching the re-
tirement age.
General Woodruff entered the Union
army as a private in the Tenth Vermont
Volunteers in June, 1852. He was severe
" wounded at the battle Of Cold Ilarbor
in June, 1864. He was graduated from
West Point military academy in 1911, was
hrevetted for galantry in action against
Indians at the Big Hole Montana,
August Q, 1877, where he was three tines
wounded. winning the warm praise of his
commanding officer. the late Gen. John
Gilbon, L. S. A He was appointed cap
tain in the subsistence department in
March, 1875, and was stationed for about
five years ut Vancouver barracks, dur
ing which Time he made many friends
among our citizens. The outbreak of our
war with Spain found him stationed at
New York city, a full colonel, where he
remained until the close of that war,
when he was ordered to Manila as com
missary general of the department of the
Philippines. On his return, after three
years service. Colonel Woodruff was APP
pointed chief comnissary of subsistence
at San Francisco which post he has Just
surrendered to accept retirement with
well deserved promotion. In the IL years
that have elapsed since June, 1862. Gen
oral Woodruff has fought under Grant
against Lee: he has fought Chief Joseph
under General Gibbun: he was four times
wounded when ser, ing in the line. AS
ommissary Of subsistence he held the
3
during the Spanish War, for he pur-
chased and shipped the supplies to Cuba.
IN the Philippines Colonel Woodruff OBJ
TIMED the warmest praise from both
Generals Macarthur and Chaffee for his
official ability, and he made a most BILE
and eloquent speech in defence of Gen.
Jacob n. Smith when that officer was
tried Ey a military court for his pro-
cecdinss IN the island of Samar.
His IL years of duty in war and peace
have been years of unbroken honor ard
usefulness he has earned his promotion.
May he live long to enjoy the leisure it
brings with it.-Portland Oregonian.
This truthful and apprecative sketch
probably came from the vigorous pen of
our friend and editorial brother. Lucius
Bigelow. of the Oregonan's staff. Cen
oral Woodruffs father. Erastus Wood
county before the Civil War. and we
| haze heard that he was once called upon
| hv the United States marshal to arrest
and return to captivity fugitive slave
| Instead of obeyinC this demand he sent
his son Uhe present generaD with fast
! horse and buggy to take the negro
across the line into Canada, speedily
as possible, which was done. Mr. Wood
ruff in this matter obeyed both the
prompting Of his own humanity and the
! Vermont Statute which forbade any State
officer to assist in catching fugitive slaves
under a heavy penalty. The Southern
editors and planters made great how
against Vermont for multiplying "A United
States Statute; but not long after that
they were declaring that their chief al
logiance was to their respective state:
instead OF to the United States; defyihl
United States laws, and firing on the
flag.