William Hoffman (U.S. Army)
Encyclopedia
William Hoffman was a 19th century officer in the United States Army
. The West Point graduate was involved in the Black Hawk War
, Seminole Wars
, Mexican-American War and the American Civil War
. During the Civil War he served as the Commissary-General of Prisoners and set policy for the treatment and release of prisoners.
. He was the son of Lieutenant Colonel
William Hoffman, Sr., who fought in the War of 1812
. He graduated from the United States Military Academy
at West Point, New York
and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the 6th infantry on July 1, 1829. He was a classmate of Robert E. Lee
.
in Missouri
or Fort Leavenworth
in Kansas
. In 1832 he fought in the Black Hawk War
. On November 16, 1936 he was promoted to 1st Lieutenant, 6th Infantry. Hoffman then moved south to Fort Jesup
and Camp Sabine in Louisiana
before fighting in the Second Seminole War
from 1837-1842. On February 1, 1838 he was promoted to Captain, 6th Infantry. In 1842 he served in the Recruiting Service before being posted at Fort Smith
in Arkansas
. In 1846 he mustered volunteers into the military before his engagement in the Mexican-American War.
During the war with Mexico
between 1846 and 1847, Hoffman was engaged in the march through Chihuahua, the Siege of Vera Cruz, the Battle of Cerro Gordo
, a skirmish at Amazoque, the Capture of San Antonio, the Battle of Contreras
and the Battle of Churubusco
, where he was wounded. On August 20, 1847 Hoffman was brevetted
to Major
for gallant and meritorious conduct in the Battles of Contreras and Churubusco. He was also involved in the Battle of Molino del Rey
, the Battle of Chapultepec
, and the Assault and Capture of Mexico City. He was brevetted a Lieutenant Colonel on September 8, 1847 for his gallant and meritorious conduct in the Battle of Molino del Rey.
Between the war with Mexico and the Civil War Hoffman served on recruiting duty for two years before returning to the frontier. There he was garrisoned again at Fort Leavenworth and was promoted to Major, 5th Infantry
, on April 15, 1851. He returned to Jefferson Barracks in 1852 and was transferred back to the 6th Infantry the same year. From 1852-1854 he was garrisoned at Newport Barracks
in Kentucky
. He returned to the frontier in 1854 with his posting at Fort Laramie in the Dakota Territory
. He was involved in the Sioux Expedition of 1855, the Utah Expedition
of 1858 and the March to California
the same year. Hoffman relocated to California for frontier duty in the Mojave Country and Benicia, California
. On October 17, 1860 he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, 8th Infantry, and was transferred to San Antonio, Texas.
by the Confederates
when Brigadier General
David E. Twiggs
surrendered the Union command on February 18, 1861. On April 25, 1862 he was promoted to Colonel
, 3rd Infantry
, while still a POW, and was released in a prisoner exchange on August 27, 1862. He then moved to Washington, D.C where he became Commissary-General of Prisoners. The Office of the Commissary-General of Prisoners was organized on October 7, 1861 under the Quarter Master General’s Department. It was made directly responsible to the Secretary of War on June 17, 1862. On November 11, 1864 it was divided into an Eastern and Western Branch. Hoffman, who had been in charge of the whole office up to that date, was placed in charge of the Eastern Branch. When it was restructured into a single unit on February 1, 1865, Hoffman was again placed in charge.
Over 104,000 Confederate soldiers deserted the army during the war, with a third of them surrendering to the Union army. That was on top of those captured by the army and held as POWs. A prisoner exchange operated from 1862 and 1863 before it broke down for a variety of reasons. The Union was not prepared for this number of prisoners. The prison camps were over-crowded, experienced food shortages and were plagued with disease. In 1862 some of the POWs refused to be exchanged saying they would not return to the South.
Hoffman, working with President Abraham Lincoln
and War Secretary Edwin Stanton, developed a procedure whereby Confederate POWs and deserters could swear allegiance to the Union to gain their release. Release requests from Union officials, Confederate soldiers and Southern family members came to Hoffman’s office for review and evaluation. Hoffman believed deserters, because they had already renounced their military obligation to the Confederacy, provided an opportunity to “reconstruct” the rebel soldiers and undermine the Confederate war effort. Military field commanders could administer the oath of allegiance to deserters if they could verify their stories and be assured they were not spies. POWs, on the other hand, presented a problem as they could return to their units or act as spies. They could only be released after Hoffman’s staff reviewed each case individually and it was approved by Secretary Stanton. The Union started to encourage desertion and offered incentives, such as transportation home. Hoffman narrowed the conditions for Confederates to take the oath of allegiance, and the number of prisoners released decreased dramatically.
On October 7, 1864 Hoffman was brevetted to Brigadier General for faithful and meritorious services during the Rebellion, and then brevetted to Major General
on March 13, 1865, for faithful, meritorious and distinguished services as Commissary-General of Prisoners during the Rebellion. He served in the post of Commissary-General until November 3, 1865.
from 1865–1866 and Fort Leavenworth from 1866-1868. He was on leave from March 6, 1868-April 26, 1869 when he became the Superintendent of the General Recruiting Service. He retired from the army on May 1, 1870 as a colonel. Hoffman retired to Rock Island, Illinois
where he married and raised a daughter. He and his wife Mary started a school for girls there. Hoffman died in 1884 and was buried in Chippiannock Cemetery
in Rock Island.
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
. The West Point graduate was involved in the Black Hawk War
Black Hawk War
The Black Hawk War was a brief conflict fought in 1832 between the United States and Native Americans headed by Black Hawk, a Sauk leader. The war erupted soon after Black Hawk and a group of Sauks, Meskwakis, and Kickapoos known as the "British Band" crossed the Mississippi River into the U.S....
, Seminole Wars
Seminole Wars
The Seminole Wars, also known as the Florida Wars, were three conflicts in Florida between the Seminole — the collective name given to the amalgamation of various groups of native Americans and Black people who settled in Florida in the early 18th century — and the United States Army...
, Mexican-American War and the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. During the Civil War he served as the Commissary-General of Prisoners and set policy for the treatment and release of prisoners.
Early life & Education
William Hoffman, Jr. was born in New YorkNew York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. He was the son of Lieutenant Colonel
Lieutenant Colonel (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Air Force, and United States Marine Corps, a lieutenant colonel is a field grade military officer rank just above the rank of major and just below the rank of colonel. It is equivalent to the naval rank of commander in the other uniformed services.The pay...
William Hoffman, Sr., who fought in the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
. He graduated from the United States Military Academy
United States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
at West Point, New York
West Point, New York
West Point is a federal military reservation established by President of the United States Thomas Jefferson in 1802. It is a census-designated place located in Town of Highlands in Orange County, New York, United States. The population was 7,138 at the 2000 census...
and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the 6th infantry on July 1, 1829. He was a classmate of Robert E. Lee
Robert E. Lee
Robert Edward Lee was a career military officer who is best known for having commanded the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia in the American Civil War....
.
Early Military Career
Hoffman’s early military career was on the frontier. Between 1829 and 1836 he was stationed at either Jefferson BarracksJefferson Barracks Military Post
The Jefferson Barracks Military Post, located on the Mississippi River at Lemay, Missouri, which is just south of St. Louis, Missouri,was, at first owned land by the DeGamache's then borrowed by military leaders, but after war, the land was not returned. It was an important and highly active U.S....
in Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
or Fort Leavenworth
Fort Leavenworth
Fort Leavenworth is a United States Army facility located in Leavenworth County, Kansas, immediately north of the city of Leavenworth in the upper northeast portion of the state. It is the oldest active United States Army post west of Washington, D.C. and has been in operation for over 180 years...
in Kansas
Kansas
Kansas is a US state located in the Midwestern United States. It is named after the Kansas River which flows through it, which in turn was named after the Kansa Native American tribe, which inhabited the area. The tribe's name is often said to mean "people of the wind" or "people of the south...
. In 1832 he fought in the Black Hawk War
Black Hawk War
The Black Hawk War was a brief conflict fought in 1832 between the United States and Native Americans headed by Black Hawk, a Sauk leader. The war erupted soon after Black Hawk and a group of Sauks, Meskwakis, and Kickapoos known as the "British Band" crossed the Mississippi River into the U.S....
. On November 16, 1936 he was promoted to 1st Lieutenant, 6th Infantry. Hoffman then moved south to Fort Jesup
Fort Jesup
Fort Jesup, also known as Fort Jesup State Historic Site or Fort Jessup or Fort Jesup State Monument, was built in 1822, 22 miles west of Natchitoches, Louisiana, to protect the United States border with Spain and to return order to the Neutral Strip. Originally named Cantonment Jesup, the fort...
and Camp Sabine in Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
before fighting in the Second Seminole War
Seminole Wars
The Seminole Wars, also known as the Florida Wars, were three conflicts in Florida between the Seminole — the collective name given to the amalgamation of various groups of native Americans and Black people who settled in Florida in the early 18th century — and the United States Army...
from 1837-1842. On February 1, 1838 he was promoted to Captain, 6th Infantry. In 1842 he served in the Recruiting Service before being posted at Fort Smith
Fort Smith National Historic Site
Fort Smith National Historic Site is a United States National Historic Site located primarily in Fort Smith, Arkansas along the Arkansas River, and also along the opposite bank of the river near Moffett, Oklahoma....
in Arkansas
Arkansas
Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
. In 1846 he mustered volunteers into the military before his engagement in the Mexican-American War.
During the war with Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
between 1846 and 1847, Hoffman was engaged in the march through Chihuahua, the Siege of Vera Cruz, the Battle of Cerro Gordo
Battle of Cerro Gordo
The Battle of Cerro Gordo, or Battle of Sierra Gordo, in the Mexican-American War saw Winfield Scott's United States troops flank and drive Santa Anna's larger Mexican army from a strong defensive position.-Battle:...
, a skirmish at Amazoque, the Capture of San Antonio, the Battle of Contreras
Battle of Contreras
The Battle of Contreras, also known as the Battle of Padierna, took place during August 19–20, 1847, in the final encounters of the Mexican-American War. In the Battle of Churubusco, fighting continued the following day.-Background:...
and the Battle of Churubusco
Battle of Churubusco
The Battle of Churubusco took place on August 20, 1847, in the immediate aftermath of the Battle of Contreras during the Mexican-American War. After defeating the Mexican army at Churubusco, the U.S. Army was only 5 miles away from Mexico City, the capital of the nation...
, where he was wounded. On August 20, 1847 Hoffman was brevetted
Brevet (military)
In many of the world's military establishments, brevet referred to a warrant authorizing a commissioned officer to hold a higher rank temporarily, but usually without receiving the pay of that higher rank except when actually serving in that role. An officer so promoted may be referred to as being...
to Major
Major (United States)
In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, major is a field grade military officer rank just above the rank of captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel...
for gallant and meritorious conduct in the Battles of Contreras and Churubusco. He was also involved in the Battle of Molino del Rey
Battle of Molino del Rey
The Battle of Molino del Rey was one of the bloodiest engagements of the Mexican-American War. It was fought in September 1847 between Mexican forces under General Antonio Léon against an American force under General Winfield Scott at a hill called El Molino del Rey near Mexico City.-Background:On...
, the Battle of Chapultepec
Battle of Chapultepec
The Battle of Chapultepec, in September 1847, was a United States victory over Mexican forces holding Chapultepec Castle west of Mexico City during the Mexican-American War.-Background:On September 13, 1847, in the costly Battle of Molino del Rey, U.S...
, and the Assault and Capture of Mexico City. He was brevetted a Lieutenant Colonel on September 8, 1847 for his gallant and meritorious conduct in the Battle of Molino del Rey.
Between the war with Mexico and the Civil War Hoffman served on recruiting duty for two years before returning to the frontier. There he was garrisoned again at Fort Leavenworth and was promoted to Major, 5th Infantry
5th Infantry Regiment (United States)
The 5th Infantry Regiment is the third-oldest infantry regiment of the United States Army, tracing its origins to 1808...
, on April 15, 1851. He returned to Jefferson Barracks in 1852 and was transferred back to the 6th Infantry the same year. From 1852-1854 he was garrisoned at Newport Barracks
Newport Barracks
Newport Barracks was a military barracks on the Ohio River, across from Cincinnati, Ohio in Newport, Kentucky. It was operational from 1803 until 1894.-History:In 1803, James Taylor Jr. solicited the help of his cousin, James Madison, who was then U.S...
in Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
. He returned to the frontier in 1854 with his posting at Fort Laramie in the Dakota Territory
Dakota Territory
The Territory of Dakota was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from March 2, 1861, until November 2, 1889, when the final extent of the reduced territory was split and admitted to the Union as the states of North and South Dakota.The Dakota Territory consisted of...
. He was involved in the Sioux Expedition of 1855, the Utah Expedition
Utah War
The Utah War, also known as the Utah Expedition, Buchanan's Blunder, the Mormon War, or the Mormon Rebellion was an armed confrontation between LDS settlers in the Utah Territory and the armed forces of the United States government. The confrontation lasted from May 1857 until July 1858...
of 1858 and the March to California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
the same year. Hoffman relocated to California for frontier duty in the Mojave Country and Benicia, California
Benicia, California
Benicia is a waterside city in Solano County, California, United States. It was the first city in California to be founded by Anglo-Americans, and served as the state capital for nearly thirteen months from 1853 to 1854. The population was 26,997 at the 2010 census. The city is located in the San...
. On October 17, 1860 he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, 8th Infantry, and was transferred to San Antonio, Texas.
Civil War
Hoffman was in San Antonio at the start of the American Civil War. He was taken as a prisoner of warPrisoner of war
A prisoner of war or enemy prisoner of war is a person, whether civilian or combatant, who is held in custody by an enemy power during or immediately after an armed conflict...
by the Confederates
Confederate States Army
The Confederate States Army was the army of the Confederate States of America while the Confederacy existed during the American Civil War. On February 8, 1861, delegates from the seven Deep South states which had already declared their secession from the United States of America adopted the...
when Brigadier General
Brigadier general (United States)
A brigadier general in the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, is a one-star general officer, with the pay grade of O-7. Brigadier general ranks above a colonel and below major general. Brigadier general is equivalent to the rank of rear admiral in the other uniformed...
David E. Twiggs
David E. Twiggs
David Emanuel Twiggs was a United States soldier during the War of 1812 and Mexican-American War and a general of the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War...
surrendered the Union command on February 18, 1861. On April 25, 1862 he was promoted to Colonel
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
, 3rd Infantry
3rd US Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard)
The 3rd United States Infantry Regiment is a regiment of the US Army. It currently has three active battalions, and is readily identified by its nickname, The Old Guard, as well as Escort to the President. The regimental motto is Noli Me Tangere...
, while still a POW, and was released in a prisoner exchange on August 27, 1862. He then moved to Washington, D.C where he became Commissary-General of Prisoners. The Office of the Commissary-General of Prisoners was organized on October 7, 1861 under the Quarter Master General’s Department. It was made directly responsible to the Secretary of War on June 17, 1862. On November 11, 1864 it was divided into an Eastern and Western Branch. Hoffman, who had been in charge of the whole office up to that date, was placed in charge of the Eastern Branch. When it was restructured into a single unit on February 1, 1865, Hoffman was again placed in charge.
Over 104,000 Confederate soldiers deserted the army during the war, with a third of them surrendering to the Union army. That was on top of those captured by the army and held as POWs. A prisoner exchange operated from 1862 and 1863 before it broke down for a variety of reasons. The Union was not prepared for this number of prisoners. The prison camps were over-crowded, experienced food shortages and were plagued with disease. In 1862 some of the POWs refused to be exchanged saying they would not return to the South.
Hoffman, working with President Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States, serving from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865. He successfully led his country through a great constitutional, military and moral crisis – the American Civil War – preserving the Union, while ending slavery, and...
and War Secretary Edwin Stanton, developed a procedure whereby Confederate POWs and deserters could swear allegiance to the Union to gain their release. Release requests from Union officials, Confederate soldiers and Southern family members came to Hoffman’s office for review and evaluation. Hoffman believed deserters, because they had already renounced their military obligation to the Confederacy, provided an opportunity to “reconstruct” the rebel soldiers and undermine the Confederate war effort. Military field commanders could administer the oath of allegiance to deserters if they could verify their stories and be assured they were not spies. POWs, on the other hand, presented a problem as they could return to their units or act as spies. They could only be released after Hoffman’s staff reviewed each case individually and it was approved by Secretary Stanton. The Union started to encourage desertion and offered incentives, such as transportation home. Hoffman narrowed the conditions for Confederates to take the oath of allegiance, and the number of prisoners released decreased dramatically.
On October 7, 1864 Hoffman was brevetted to Brigadier General for faithful and meritorious services during the Rebellion, and then brevetted to Major General
Major general (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Marine Corps, and United States Air Force, major general is a two-star general-officer rank, with the pay grade of O-8. Major general ranks above brigadier general and below lieutenant general...
on March 13, 1865, for faithful, meritorious and distinguished services as Commissary-General of Prisoners during the Rebellion. He served in the post of Commissary-General until November 3, 1865.
Later career & Death
After the Civil War, Hoffman was placed in command of regiments at St. Louis, MissouriSt. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
from 1865–1866 and Fort Leavenworth from 1866-1868. He was on leave from March 6, 1868-April 26, 1869 when he became the Superintendent of the General Recruiting Service. He retired from the army on May 1, 1870 as a colonel. Hoffman retired to Rock Island, Illinois
Rock Island, Illinois
Rock Island is the county seat of Rock Island County, Illinois, United States. The population was 40,884 at the 2010 census. Located on the Mississippi River, it is one of the Quad Cities, along with neighboring Moline, East Moline, and the Iowa cities of Davenport and Bettendorf. The Quad Cities...
where he married and raised a daughter. He and his wife Mary started a school for girls there. Hoffman died in 1884 and was buried in Chippiannock Cemetery
Chippiannock Cemetery
Chippiannock Cemetery is a cemetery located on 12th Street and 31st Avenue in Rock Island, Illinois. The word “Chippiannock” is a Native American term which means “place of the dead”.-History:Rock Island was in need of a permanent cemetery in 1854...
in Rock Island.