WOODLIEF (VETERAN SAW), CAPT.PETER WILLIAM - Rusk County, Texas | CAPT.PETER WILLIAM WOODLIEF (VETERAN SAW) - Texas Gravestone Photos

Capt.Peter William WOODLIEF (VETERAN SAW)

Old Henderson City Cemetery
Rusk County,
Texas

CAPTAIN Company C 2 US Virginia Infantry
Spanish American War
April 19, 1846-November 29, 1899

H.O
Adelia E. Boggess Woodlief (1857 - 1941)
S/O
Peter William Woodlief (1808 - 1883)
Louise Modeste Bouligny Woodlief (1810 - 1892)
Children
Marie Woodlief Howard (1890 - 1981)
Gladys Woodlief Stovall (1899 - 1957)
Siblings
Edward Dominique Woodlief (1843 - 1870)
Henry L. Woodlief (1855 - 1888)

Co. C
2 U.S.V. Infantry
Spanish/American War


Virginia Military Institute (VMI) Class of 1867; one of the 257 VMI "New Market Cadets" who fought with the Confederate Army in the May 15, 1864, Battle of New Market (VA). Peter was wounded in the leg during the battle.
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News obituary from The Daily Picayune (New Orleans, LA), 01 Dec 1899, pg 12:

Capt P.W. WOODLIEF
One of Hood's heroes, a Veteran of Two Wars,
Dies at Abita Springs, Where He Sought Strength for a Manila Trip

Captain Peter W. Woodlief, a gallant solider, a polished and educated gentleman, and held in high esteem by all those who knew him, died in Abita Springs last Wednesday evening at 2 o'clock, after a long illness, contracted during his campaign in Cuba.

Captain Woodlief was a native of this city, but for the past ten or twelve years had made his home in Waco, Tex., where he was engaged in business. He was a soldier by nature, his early training and education served to strengthen this instinct, and though yet a boy, he was engaged in battle in his country's case in Virginia during the civil war.

Captain Woodlief was the son of a prominent banker of this city in ante bellum days, whose place was on Canal street. The young son was sent to complete his education in the military Academy at Petersburg, Va. It was while the war was raging fiercely that the young man was in this institution, and when a battle was imminent in the vicinity of the academy the cadets, of which Woodlief was one, were mustered into service and received practical instructions in the art of war by participating in the battle of New Market. Young Woodlief carried himself with great gallantry in this action, but after it was over the boys returned to their studies.

He graduated in 1864, and after the war returned to this city. Misfortune overtook the family, and his father lost a fortune. After the death of his parents, young Woodlief went to Texas where he married Miss Adeline Boggess, of Waco, Tex., where he was engaged in business.

When the war between the United States and Spain was declared, Captain Woodlief enlisted in Hood's Immunes, receiving a commission as second lieutenant. He proceeded to Cuba with that command and rose rapidly. He was the only officer who received three promotions during his brief service, and was mustered out, receiving an honorable discharge. His health, however, suffered from his brief campaign, and upon his return to the United States his physicians advised that he should seek a more congenial climate that was afforded by Texas, where he lived. He determined to go to Abita Springs, where he hoped to recover his lost health. He was more anxious to recover as his earnest wish was to go to the Philippines and gain more glory, his appetite for a soldier's life having been whetted by the campaign in Cuba.

Mrs. Woodlief, his faithful and loving wife, with their two girls, accompanied him to Abita and for a year they have been residing there. His health failed to improve, and last Wednesday he succumbed. He saw death coming and was prepared to meet the grim reaper.

Mrs. Woodlief came to this city yesterday morning to arrange for shipping the body to Henderson, Tex., where she intends to make her future home. She left the city again yesterday afternoon to return to Abita, and this morning will arrive with her sad burden, and will this afternoon take the train for Texas.

Captain Woodlief was a man of exceptionally high ability, a fine conversationalist, and thoroughly well educated. He was loved by his men during the war and upon his return found all his friends ready and willing to assist him in securing a position, and had he not become ill he would doubtless have gone to the Philippines to take part in the war there. He was 52 years of age, and therefore when he took part in the engagement in Virginia was only 15 years of age. Mrs. Woodlief and her little daughters will accompany the remains to Henderson, where the interment will take place.

Contributed on 12/14/15 by justplaincountryphotography
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Record #: 96103

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Submitted: 12/14/15 • Approved: 12/15/15 • Last Updated: 3/25/18 • R96103-G0-S3

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