Encamped with Zachary Taylor in Corpus Christi in 1845.
Died November 26, 1845
NO HEADSTONE
1. Obituary
Later from Texas – The Climate – Death of Lieut. Col. Hoffman
Corpus Christi, Texas, November 28, 1845
… Lieut. Colonel Hoffman of the 7th Regt. U. S. Infantry, departed this life on Wednesday, the 26th inst. The deceased was an officer of the old school, and learnt the first rudiments of his profession in our late contest with Great Britain. The country has lost a zealous and gallant defender; and the Army has been shorn of one its brightest ornaments; and his family has been deprived of a kind husband, a generous father and a firm friend. All mourn his loss.
Source: New York Daily Tribune, December 29, 1845, p. 1, col. 2
Research by: Corpus Christi Public Libraries
2. Excerpt from Ethan Allen Hitchcock diary
Corpus Christi Nov. 28 1845. Lt. Col. Hoffman 5th Infy* aged about 65 died day before yesterday in the morning & was buried with the honors of war yesterday p.m. He had been sick at Fort Smith, Arkansas before his regiment moved for this country & he was advised not to join it but insisted upon it, as his regiment was ordered to the field (as the expression is) and he was so weak that he fainted in going in from the post to the village of Fort Smith, a mile – after he arrived here his chronic diarrhea on dysentery continued & grew worse until he died. And a post mortem examination it was found that his intestines were in a shocking condition in some places actually perforated.
His condition makes me think it a duty to myself if I notice either health or life to go away from here and perhaps for a time altogether from this South for I have had a diarrhea almost ever since I first came here and although I have obtained a temporary relief two or three times it has come back upon me as often as now prevails with increased virulence.
*Later corrected to 7th Infantry
Source: From the original diary of Ethan Allen Hitchcock
Research by: Corpus Christi Public Libraries