Navy Profiles
Assaulted Fort Fisher
Edwin T. Woodward was born on March 8, 1843, in Castleton, Vermont, the son of Edwin C. and Charlotte (Barney) Woodward. He received an appointment to the Naval Academy and began his studies there on November 21, 1859. One of several whose academy careers were foreshortened by the war, he served on the sloop Mississippi, the garrison ship Island and the gunboat Sciota in the Gulf Blockading Squadrons, including two attacks on and passage of the Confederate batteries at Vicksburg in 1861 and 1862.
While on the Sciota off New Orleans, in April, 1862, he was commended by Fleet-Captain H. H. Bell, for "gallantly working the rifle on the topgallant forecastle." He then served on the sloop Cyane, in the Pacific Squadron.
Promoted to Lieutenant in February 1864, he was assigned to the steam frigate Minnesota, in the North Blockading Squadron. In the assault on Fort Fisher on January 14, 1865, Lieutenant Woodward commanded a company of 49 men from the Minnesota, and "behaved bravely," and his conduct was "represented as having been highly commendable."
The following also served on the Minnesota at some point in the war: Addison Bulkley of Brattleboro, Alonzo B. Davis of Hartford, Matthew C. Forbes of Sherburne, Ensign Abraham H. Hicks of Lyndon, Thomas Kehan of St. Albans, Antonio Lopez of Hartland, Simeon McRay of Lyndon, Assistant Surgeon John Paul Quinn, Frederick Scott of Brookfield, John Simpson of Shaftsbury, Charles Smart of Mendon, Daniel Sweeney of Bridgewater, Paymaster Charles C. Upham, Robert C. Wilson of Monkton and Alonzo Woodbeck of St. Albans.1.
Woodward married, on August 9, 1866, Mary Elizabeth Hawley, daughter of Rev. Bostwick and Elizabeth (Webber) Hawley. According to the 1910 census, Mary had four children, none of whom were still living at that time, but the 1880 census, when Edwin and Mary were enumerated with her father in Saratoga Springs, New York, did not list any children. In 1892 he was assigned as Light House Inspector in the 10th Light House District, which comprised 114 miles of the St. Lawrence River as well as Lake Ontario, Lake Erie and the Niagara River. Of note, he relieved Commander Charles V. Gridley, who would later command USS Olympia, Commodore George Dewey's flagship during the attack on Manila at the beginning of the Spanish-American War.
Woodward was placed on the retired list on July 3, 1893, and died February 22, 1894, probably in Saratoga Springs, New York. He had been listed in Saratoga Spring in the 1890 Special Schedule of Veterans and Widows, and his widow still resided with her father in that town until at least 1910.
(to be continued ...)
Notes:
1. Peck, 695; Captain Bell, to Flag Officer Farragut, April 26, 1861, ORN 18:175; Commodore Lanman to Rear-Admiral Porter, and Lieutenant Commander Parker to Lanman, ORN, 11:494-6; Peck, 690ff.
See Researching and writing about Vermont Blue-Jackets in the Civil War for explanations of references.
