Background
Woodruff was born in Buffalo, New York, the son of Colonel Israel Carle Woodruff (1815-1878).
Woodruff was born in Buffalo, New York, the son of Colonel Israel Carle Woodruff (1815-1878).
United States Military Academy.
He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the 2nd United States. Artillery at Washington, District of Columbia Serving with Combined Batteries B and L, 2nd United States. Artillery, he was part of the United States. Horse Artillery Brigade in the Army of the Potomac. He was also awarded brevet promotions for gallantry at the battles of Gettysburg (brevet captain, July 3, 1863) and Trevillian Station (brevet major, June 11, 1864), and for good conduct during the war (lieutenant colonel, March 13, 1865). Serving primarily as a section chief, Woodruff commanded Battery M, 2nd United States. Artillery, at the Battle of Cold Harbor, June 3, 1864.
Lieutenant
Woodruff remained in the regular army after the Civil War, and gained his captaincy in 1869. He rose steadily through the officers corps, to major of the 2nd United States. Artillery (1894), lieutenant colonel of the 7th United States. Artillery (1899), and colonel of the Corps of Artillery, 1901. By the end of his career, he ranked as a brigadier general.
He died in Raleigh, North Carolina, and was buried there at Oakwood Cemetery.
His grave can be found in the Magnolia Hill section, Lot 25. Battery Woodruff at Fort Hughes is named for him.
He received the Medal of Honor while serving as an artillery officer in the Union Army during the American Civil War. As a section chief, he was cited for gallantry during an engagement at Newby"s Crossroads, Virginia, on July 24, 1863 and received the Medal of Honor. Woodruff was eventually awarded the Medal of Honor for these actions, on September 1, 1893.
