Born in New York, he was the son of Lieutenant Colonel William Hoffman, who served in the War of 1812. Hoffman graduated from West Point with a brevet to 2nd Lieutenant, 6th Infantry, July 1, 1829 and received a commission as 2nd Lieutenant the same day. He served in garrison at Jefferson Barracks, MO, 1829; on Frontier Duty at Ft. Leavenworth, KS, 1829-1831; was in the Black Hawk War against the Sac Indians, 1832; at Ft. Leavenworth, KS, 1833; and in garrison at Jefferson Barracks, MO, 1834-1836. He was promoted to 1st Lieutenant, 6th Infantry, November 16, 1836.

Hoffman was next on Frontier Duty at Ft. Jesup, LA, 1836; at Camp Sabine, LA, 1836; and in the Florida War, 1837-1842. He was promoted to Captain, 6th Infantry, February 1, 1838. He served on Recruiting Service, 1842; on Frontier Duty at Ft. Smith, AR, 1843-1846; and in Mustering volunteers into service, 1846 before becoming involved in the Mexican War.

In Mexico, he was engaged in the march through Chihuahua, 1846; Siege of Vera Cruz, March 9-29, 1847; Battle of Cerro Gordo, April 17- 18, 1847; Skirmish at Amazoque, May 14, 1847; Capture of San Antonio, August 20, 1847; Battle of Contreras, August 19-20, 1847; and Battle of Churubusco, August 20, 1847. He was breveted to Major, August 20, 1847, for gallant and meritorious conduct in the Battles of Contreras and Churubusco.

Hoffman was next engaged in the Battle of Molino del Rey, September 8, 1847; Storming of Chapultepec, September 13, 1847; and the Assault and Capture of Mexico City, September 13-14, 1847. He received a brevet to Lieutenant Colonel, September 8, 1847, for gallant and meritorious conduct in the Battle of Molino del Rey.

Following the War, he was on Recruiting Duty, 1848-1849; Frontier Duty at Ft. Leavenworth, KS, 1849-1850; and at the Crossing of the Arkansas, KS, 1851. He was promoted to Major, 5th Infantry, April 15, 1851.

Hoffman was in garrison at Jefferson Barracks, MO, 1852. Transferred to the 6th Infantry, February 20, 1852, he was at Newport Barracks, KY, 1852-1854; on Frontier Duty at Ft. Laramie, Dakota Territory, 1854- 1855; on the Sioux Expedition, 1855; at Ft. Laramie, Dakota Territory, 1855-1857; on the Utah Expedition, 1858; on the March to California, 1858; on Frontier Duty in Mojave Country, 1858-1859; at Benicia, CA, 1859-1860. He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, 8th Infantry, October 17, 1860. He continued on Frontier Duty at San Antonio, TX where he was made a prisoner of war by the Texas Rebels, and not exchanged until August 27, 1862. He was promoted to Colonel, 3rd Infantry, April 25, 1862.

William Hoffman

Hoffman served as Commissary-General of Prisoners, at Washington, D. C., to November 3, 1865. He was breveted to Brigadier-General, U. S. Army, October 7, 1864, for faithful and meritorious services during the Rebellion, and breveted to Major-General, U. S. Army, March 13, 1865, for faithful, meritorious and distinguished services as Commissary General of Prisoners during the Rebellion.

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