Wickham Hoffman was born at New York City, on April 2, 1821. He graduated from Harvard College in 1841. He married Elizabeth Baylies, May 14, 1844. He was admitted to the New York Bar and practiced law until the Civil War broke out.
During the Civil War he served as Aide-de-camp to Governor Edwin Morgan, and also Inspector of New York troops at Fortress Monroe, Virginia, 1861. He was commissioned Assistant Adjutant General, United States Volunteers in 1862, and assigned to the staff of Brigadier General Thomas Williams in the expedition at Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He was ordered to General William T. Sherman's staff as Assistant Adjutant General, 1862-63, and was with Major General W. B. Franklin, during the Red River Campaign, 1863. He was then on Major General Quincy Gillmore's staff in Virginia, and was Assistant Adjutant General of the Eastern Virginia and North Carolina districts. He was ordered to New Orleans as Adjutant General and Chief of Staff to Major General Edward Canby, 1865. Commissioned Colonel, United States Volunteers, for meritorious service in the war, 1865.
Following the war he served as Assistant Secretary of Legation in Paris, France, 1866, First Secretary Secretary of Legation, 1867-74. Secretary of Legation, London, England, 1874-77, St. Petersburg, Russia, 1877-83. United States Minister to Denmark, 1883-85.
He was the author of “Camp, Court and Siege,” 1877, “Leisure Hours in Russia,” 1883.
He died at Atlantic City, New Jersey, May 21, 1900, and was buried with full military honors in Section 1 of Arlington National Cemetery.
“Assistant Adjutant General, US Vols.
Author and diplomatist. April 2, 1821-May 21, 1900.”
His wife Elizabeth Baylies Hoffman, October 2, 1822-September 25, 1903, is buried with him.
Wickham Hoffman of New York
Appointed from New York, Captain, Assistant Adjutant general of U. S. Volunteers, 6 March 1862
Major, Assistant Adjutant General, 26 August 1863
Breveted Lieutenant Colonel, U. S. Volunteers, 13 March 1865, for gallant service in the Red River Campaign
Breveted Colonel, U. S. Volunteers, 13 March 1865, for gallant and meritorious service during the war
Died 21 May 1900
Name: Wickham Hoffman
State of Residency: New York
Title: Minister Resident/Consul General
Appointment: February 27, 1883
Presentation of Credentials: May 4, 1883
Termination of Mission: Presented recall, Jun 1, 1885
COLONEL WICKHAM HOFFMAN DEAD
Distinguished Officer and Diplomat Passed Away at Atlantic City
ATLANTIC CITY, New Jersey, May 21, 1900 – Colonel Wickham Hoffman, a distinguished officer of the Civil War and a diplomat of long experience, died at his Summer home here today of paralysis, which attacked him yesterday. He had been in poor health for along time. The body will be taken to Washington tomorrow and interred at Arlington Cemetery.
He is survived by his wife and one son, Francis Burrall Hoffman of New York. His wife was with him when he died. His son and daughter-in-law arrived tonight.
Colonel Wickham Hoffman was both in New York City in 1821. He was the son of Murray Hoffman, Vice Chancellor and Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of New York and Frances Burrall, daughter of Jonathan Burrall, an officer in the Revolutionary Army and later first cashier of the Bank of America.
Colonel Hoffman was a lawyer by profession and was graduated from Harvard University with the class of 1841. He served all though the Civil War and was wounded at Port Hudson. In June 1866 he resigned his commission and was appointed Assistant Secretary of Legation at the Court of Versailles. He was subsequently promoted to First Secretary of the Legation, a post which he held for nine years. During the Franco-Prussian War and the Commune he was indefatigable in assisting Minister Washburn to protect German subjects in the capital, as well as Americans, and took a conspicuous part in the work of relief.
He resigned the Secretaryship in 1882 to accept under President Arthur the appointment of Minister Resident and Counsel General to Denmark. This post he filled until 1884, when he retired to private life. Since his retirement he had lived in Washington.
In 1884 Colonel Hoffman married Elizabeth Baylies, daughter of Edmund Baylies of Massachusetts, and granddaughter of Elijah Baylies, an officer in the Continental Army and an aide-de-camp to Washington.
HOFFMAN, WICKHAM
COL ASST ADJ GEN US VOLS
DATE OF DEATH: 05/21/1900
BURIED AT: SECTION PLOT SITE 122
ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY
HOFFMAN, ELIZABETH W/O WICKHAM
DATE OF DEATH: 09/25/1903
BURIED AT: SITE LOT 122
ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY
WIFE OF WICKHAM HOFFMAN, COL, USA
Michael Robert Patterson was born in Arlington and is the son of a former officer of the US Army. So it was no wonder that sooner or later his interests drew him to American history and especially to American military history. Many of his articles can be found on renowned portals like the New York Times, Washingtonpost or Wikipedia.
Reviewed by: Michael Howard