Col. J. J. Woods

WOODS

Posted By: Anne Hermann (email)
Date: 5/15/2008 at 07:29:11

Maquoketa Record
June 7, 1905

Colonel J. J. Woods
Notes by Harvey Reid.

A very appreciative tribute to the character of Col. Woods from one who served in his regiment comes in a recent letter from John S. Ray, of Napenee, Nebraska. Mr. Ray says: Col. Woods was a grand man, and had he entered into the scramble for promotion, as was the rule, he might have been a Major-General. In fact he was better fitted to command a division or corps, than a regiment. His forte was not as a dress parade officer. He had no more style than Gen. Grant, and was not much of a mixer with either officers or men, although he was respected by both. He was no respecter of rank, as between men. A private with a grievance was given as much consideration as an officer. He was as gentle as a woman, but his bravery was never questioned.

(A) As a matter of enduring interest I give a list of West Point cadets who attended that institution during the years when Col. Woods was there, and who attained rank and reputation during the Civil war. This will include all the classes from the one graduating in 1844. Col. Woods first year in the Academy, to the one graduation in 1850, which entered in 1847, the year in which he graduated. This does not mean that he became personally acquainted with all these officers, but that he would have seen them, and become more or less familiar with their personalities and characteristics. I will arrange them according to their order of merit in their respective classes, but will separate those which served in the Union army from those who cast their lots with the Confederates.

To begin with Col. Woods own class, the

CLASS OF 1847.

Joseph J. Woods, who entered from Ohio, July 1, 1843, at the age of 20 years, 5 months, graduated No. 3, being one of the five most distinguished cadets, who names are marked with a star (*) conformably to a regulation for the government of the Military Academy, which requires that that many be reported at each annual examination to be attached to the next Army Register. Cadet Woods also served during the last years on the Academic Staff as Acting Professor of Ethics. His marks on final examinations in his respective studies were as follows: Engineering, 2; Ethics, 3; Artillery, 5; Infantry Tactics, 5; Mineralogy and Geology, 8. During previous years he attained rank in the other studies of the course as follows: Philosophy, 3; Chemistry, 9; Drawing, 25; Mathematics, 4; French, 8; English, Grammar, etc., 9. In his third year he stood sixth in his class; second year, fifth (an honor man again); and in his first year sixth.

There is also kept at the Academy a conduct Roll in which the whole body of cadets (without regard to class) is graded according to “demerits” charged against them. If more than 200 demerits are charged in one year the cadet is reported to the War Department for discharge. Cadet Woods’ record on this Roll stood thus: First year, No. 16 with 6 demerits; second year, No. 44 with 24; third year No. 27 with 8; and fourth year, No. 2 with no demerits. No. 1 in 1845, was the afterwards celebrated Thomas J. Jackson.

Upon his return home he removed from the farm to Maquoketa, where in company with W. F. McCarron, he purchased the “Maquoketa Excelsior,” of which he became the editor.

In the fall of 1867 he sold his interest in said paper and moved upon his farm in Clinton county, Iowa, but the next year returned to Maquoketa, and McCarron having failed to make payments on the paper and being involved in other losses where Woods was his security and had to pay the loss, Woods again took control of the paper and published it until May 1869, when he removed to Kansas.

In 1871 he was on a board of visitors at West Point, appointed by Gen. Grant, and the same fall was one of three commissioners appointed by the Secretary of the Interior to appraise the Cherokee mutual lands in Indian Territory, west of the 96th meridian, and was also appointed the same fall Receiver of Humboldt land district, but declined the appointment.

The same fall he was elected to the Kansas legislature, which convened in January 1872. In March he was appointed one of the regents of the State University. He was a member of the Kansas legislature in 1875, and chairman of the Committee of Ways and Means.