January 14, 2025
The Southern Maryland Civil War Round Table is pleased to announce that its next meeting will be held Tuesday, January 14, 2025 at 7:00pm at The Maryland Veterans Museum, 11000 Crain Highway North, Newburg, MD 20664.
Guest Speaker: Bob Crickenberger
It is a pleasure to welcome back another of our frequent contributors to the Southern Maryland Civil War Round Table, Mr. Bob Crickenberger, s tonight he presents, “Saint or Sinner.” Major General William Hoffman – Commissary General of Prisoners.
On October 1861, Colonel William Hoffman had been promoted to the newly resuscitated post of Commissary General of Prisoners by the Secretary of War. Ironically, he was placed there, despite his protest, while he was awaiting his own exchange. Hoffman, while in command of the federal garrison in San Antonio, Texas, was made a prisoner of war after his commanding officer, Brigadier General David E. Twiggs, surrendered Union forces on February 18, 1861 to the fledgling Confederate government. Hoffman was eventually released in a prisoner exchange on August 27, 1862, nearly a year after he received his new assignment.
Hoffman had shaped his early life assuming that he would serve his country, following in his father’s footsteps. Colonel Hoffman became a career United States Army officer, attending the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, and having served in a string of army posts, just as his father had. Another of Hoffman’s brothers would attend the military academy as well as four of his sisters would marry academy graduates. Hoffman would prove to be an unwavering career soldier and a dedicated family man, following the example set by his father.
Hoffman’s personality reflected his military upbringing, discipline, and his family principles. He was frugal and a stickler for rules and regulations, earning him the sobriquet of “Old Huffy” for his steadfast belief that regulations were meant to govern and not be ignored. These attributes would influence his decisions in the unwavering administration of his duties as Commissary General of Prisoners.
Hoffman conducted the affairs of his department to the best of his ability while being hampered by politics, a lack of guidelines provided to him, and would not have the benefit of any precedent before him in the operation of his office. In the post-war years, he would be accused of being borderline Draconian at times, a title he did not deserve. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Retired as a Production Coordinator for the Prince George’s County Department of Printing, Bob has taken an active role in the preservation of our Southern Maryland Civil War history. A volunteer at Point Lookout State Park since 1978, Bob is also the founder and chairman of The Friends of Point Lookout, which has been in existence since 1985. As well as being a member of the Round table, Bob is also a member of the Sons of Union Veterans Sgt. James Harris Camp #38.
Please come out and join us as we learn about a little known, yet important officer in the administration of the war machine. Attendance is free, but membership is recommended. Please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns at bsunderland@somdcwrt.org or at 443-975-9142. We look forward to seeing you!