The Woodruff Gun
Annotations to the Margreiter article.
Illinois Politicians Lobby for Woodruff
James Woodruff enlisted support for his proposal from several prominent Illinois politicians and officers, who wrote letters to their friends in Washington.
Transcription:
Head Quarters
Quarter-Master General’s Department
Springfield, Illinois, Oct 1 1861
James Woodruff Esq
Quincy Ills
Dear sir
The small three pdr field pieces which you propose to introduce into the United States service I consider of the first importance. While their efficiency with canister at the ordinary range is equal to that of six pounders, their superiority in cheapness, facility of transportation both of the guns themselves and the required ammunition in conjunction with the fact that they can be used by infantry as a moveable masked battery renders the adoption of them likely to be of incalculable benefit.
Wishing you all the success that the importance of the subject demands,
I am
Yours very truly
W. L. Duff
Chief of Ordnance Ills. V[olunteer] In[fantry]
Transcription:
Head Quarters
Quarter-Master General’s Department
Springfield, Illinois, 31st Sept [sic] 1861
Sir:
Having been present at a trial of a three pounder gun made by James Woodruff, Esq., of Quincy, Ill., I deem to call the attention of the Department to its efficiency as a weapon. Its effective range with round shot and canister is, in my opinion, fully equal to the six pounder gun in use in our service, while its extreme lightness and portability add much to its effectiveness as a weapon. Another advantage claimed for this gun is its comparative cheapness―twenty of them costing less than one six pounder.
I would respectfully request the attention of the Department to this truly valuable invention, believing as I do, that it is an invaluable arm.
I am, respectfully,
Your obdt. servt.
Chas. H. Adams
Col. 45th Ill[inoi]s. Vol[unteer]s
Hon. Simon Cameron
Secy. of War
Washington, D.C
Transcription:
Quincy, Ills. Sept 30, 1861
Hon. Simon Cameron
Secy. of War
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir
This will introduce to you James E. Woodruff, Esq., of this City, a gentleman of high standing, character and intelligence, in all of whose statements you may implicitly confide.
He wishes a brief interview with you in regard to a new class of ordnance for use in the Western army, of the economy, value and efficiency of which I think you will be satisfied when you shall have heard his statement.
As his only object in visiting you is the advancement of the public service, I hope you will find it convenient to give him an early audience.
He is in every sense, and to every extent, loyal and reliable.
Respectfully & truly yours
O. H. Browning
[U.S. Senator from Illinois, appointed to complete the term of Stephen Douglas]
Transcription:
Quincy, Ills 30 Sept, 1861
Hon. Simon Cameron
Secretary of War
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir
James Woodruff of this City wishes a brief interview with you with reference to furnishing a light class of cannon for field use which appear to be particularly suited to operations in Missouri and the Valley of the Mississippi. He is a practical and reliable energetic business man. I think his suggestions and the class of guns that he proposes to get up are worthy of your attention and will be much obliged if you will give him an interview.
Respectfully Yours,
Jackson Grimshaw
[Jackson Grimshaw was a member of the Illinois State Republican Central Committee. This letter and his other letter following both suggest that Woodruff guns are particularly suited to use in the Western Theater.]
Transcription:
Quincy, Ills 30 Sept, 1861
Hon. Simon Cameron
Secretary of War
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir
James Woodruff of this City wishes a brief interview with you with reference to furnishing a light class of cannon for field use which appear to be particularly suited to operations in Missouri and the Valley of the Mississippi. He is a practical and reliable energetic business man. I think his suggestions and the class of guns that he proposes to get up are worthy of your attention and will be much obliged if you will give him an interview.
Respectfully Yours,
Jackson Grimshaw
This cover letter addressed to Gen. James W. Ripley, Chief of Ordnance, was added to the above letters by Thomas A. Scott, Assistant Secretary of War under Simon Cameron:
Transcription:
War Dept.
Oct 4/61
Gen. Ripley
Chief [of] Ordnance
The enclosed letters will be delivered by Mr. Woodruff―examine his gun. It appears to possess great merit.
Your[s] Res[pect]f[ul]ly,
Thomas A. Scott
Asst Secy
All of the above letters were from the Records of the Office of the Chief of Ordnance, Record Group 156, from the National Archives in Washington, D.C., provided to James Margreiter in 1967.
