CSA Bios: The Smiths (8)

[Battleline]

And this has nothing to do with Morrissey! (reference to the singer of the ’80s New Wave band from Manchester, England) There were eight Confederate generals named Smith with Edmund Kirby Smith and Gustavus Woodson Smith being at the head of the class.

Brig. Gen. William D. Smith, CSA (b. 1825, d. 1862) Neither bullet nor sword nor cannonball struck down William Duncan Smith. Instead, the instrument of death was a mosquito. Smith died of yellow fever when his army star was at its zenith. Born in Augusta, Ga., July 28, 1825, Smith attended the U.S. Military Academy (West Point), graduating in 1846. He was in the middle of the Mexican War, being severely wounded at Molino Del Rey. From 1859 to 1861, he was on a leave of absence in Europe. On Jan. 28, 1861, he resigned his captain’s commission in the Second Dragoons to enter the Confederate Army. He was commissioned colonel of the 20th Georgia Infantry July 14, 1861. He earned promotion to brigadier general March 7, 1862, and was transferred to the command of Gen. Pemberton in the Department of South Carolina. He was given command of the District of South Carolina and established his headquarters in Charleston. When Federal Gen. Hunter tried to place forces on James Island, near Charleston, Smith commanded one wing of the Confederate forces led by Gen. “Shanks” Evans. The Battle of Secessionville ended in a complete Confederate victory. Smith, who earned praise for his ability behind a desk and in the field, was pushed for higher command by South Carolina Congressman William Porcher Miles (who also helped to design the Confederate Battle Flag). Miles urged the appointment of Smith to supersede Pemberton. But Smith contracted yellow fever and died in Charleston, Oct. 4, 1862.

Maj. Gen. William Smith, CSA (b. 1797, d. 1887) William “Extra Billy” Smith already had quite a life by the time the Civil War broke out. Born Sept. 6, 1797, at “Marengo” in King George County, Va., Smith was schooled in Virginia and Connecticut. Studying law, Smith began his first career as a lawyer in Culpepper, Va., in 1818. Smith earned his nickname, “Extra Billy” during his mail coach service from Washington, D.C., to Milledgeville, Ga. (then the state capital). The fast expansion of the route and subsequent extra payments. Postmaster William T. Barry came under attack for increasing contractor payments and when that was discovered, Smith received his nickname. Beginning in 1836, Smith served five years in the Virginia senate, five terms in Congress and one term as Virginia governor. With the outbreak of the Civil War, Smith was offered a state commission as a brigadier general, but turned it down. In the early days of the war, he happened to be at Fairfax Court House when Federal cavalry charged through town, killing the Confederate commander. Smith took charge and organized the defenses. After that, he was commissioned as colonel of the 49th Virginia Infantry and a few days later fought at First Manassas. Elected to the Confederate Congress in November, 1861, Smith split his time in Richmond and with his troops during the Peninsular Campaign, the Seven Days Campaign, Second Manassas, Sharpsburg and Gettysburg. He received his first wound at Seven Pines, but luckily the bullet was spent and only bruised him. Under heavy fire from Federal sharpshooters during the Second Manassas Campaign, Smith encouraged his men, “Of course you can’t stand it boys; it’s all this infernal tactics and West P’int tomfoolery. Damn it, fire, and flush the game!” Smith’s aversion for West Point and military traditions carried over to his uniform. At Chantilly, Smith wore a tall beaver hat and had a blue cotton umbrella. At Sharpsburg, Smith shrugged off three wounds while in command of his brigade. He received praise from Gen. JEB Stuart, stating he was “conspicuously brave and self-possessed.” Recovering, he resigned from the Congress and was promoted to brigadier general Jan. 31, 1863. He commanded Early’s former brigade at Chancellorsville, but struggled with his unit deployments. During the Gettysburg Campaign, Smith’s Brigade led Early’s Division into York, Penn. Using the type of charm that made him a political favorite in his home state, Smith made the best of a crowded situation, giving a speech from the saddle (called rattling and humorous) that left his men and the locals applauding. When Early approached the scene, he was angry for the delay, but Smith defused that situation. “Having a little fun, General,” Smith said, “which is good for all of us.” Smith’s on-field generalship could have used a little West Point spit and polish. He took his brigade out of action against a nonexistent threat during fighting July 1, 1863 and missed the sweeping triumph of Second Corps. His brigade was kept near that of John B. Gordon, so the latter could help and take over where necessary. Both units were not in position to be used when Ewell was deciding whether or not to attack Cemetery Hill. For the most part, the brigade missed the battle, being sent to reinforce Johnson’s Division July 3. For the most part, that was it for Extra Billy’s military service. He was pressed into a recruiting role. While he was promoted to major general Aug. 12, 1863, he later was in He was elected as governor of Virginia again and left the army to assume that post Jan. 1, 1864. It was said the troops voted heavily for Smith to get him out of uniform. He held his governorship until the end of the war, but after that he retired to his estate, “Monterosa,” near Warrenton, Va., He was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates from 1877 to 1879. Smith died on his estate May 18, 1887, and is buried in Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond.

Brig. Gen. Thomas B. Smith, CSA (b. 1838, d. 1923) The Civil War was long over when Thomas Benton Smith passed away in the Tennessee State Asylum in Nashville, Tenn. Smith spent the final 47 years of his life in the asylum following a severe wound after he was taken as a prisoner of war at the Battle of Nashville. Smith was born in Mechanicsville, Tenn., Feb. 24, 1838. he was schooled at the Nashville Military Institute and worked in the shops of the Nashville & Decatur Railroad. At the outbreak of the Civil War, Smith was elected second lieutenant of Company B, 20th Tennessee Infantry. Fighting at Mill Springs (Fishing Creek) and Shiloh, Smith was elected the regiment’s colonel when it was reorganized in May 1862. He was severely wounded at Murfreesboro, but was back to work for battles at Baton Rouge, Chickamauga and during the Atlanta Campaign. He received his promotion to brigadier general July 29, 1864. During the Battle of Nashville, Smith and most of his command were captured after a fierce fight. While being escorted to the Federal rear, he was repeatedly struck over the head with a sword by Col. William Linn McMillen of the 95th Ohio Infantry. That unit was reported to have suffered many casualties during Smith’s final stand. Taken to a Federal field hospital, it was discovered that Smith’s brain was exposed and Smith was not expected to live. He recovered somewhat. Following the war, he worked for various railroads as a brakeman and conductor. In 1870, he unsuccessfully ran for Congress. But he was admitted to the state asylum in 1876 and remained there until May 21, 1923, when he died.

Brig. Gen. Preston Smith, CSA (b. 1823, d. 1863) Preston Smith was a victim of being at the wrong place at the wrong time. Trying to coordinate a night attack during the middle of the Battle of Chickamauga, Smith and his aide were hit by a Federal volley when they rode too close to the enemy’s lines. Smith’s aide was KIA while Smith lingered for an hour before dying, ending a lengthy Confederate career. Smith was born in Giles County, Tenn., Dec. 25, 1823. He received higher education at Jackson College in Columbia, Tenn. He was a lawyer in Waynesboro and Memphis before the war. In 1861, Smith was commissioned as the colonel of the 154th Tennessee, a militia regiment mustered into state forces. Severely wounded at Shiloh, he served on the staff of Gen. Cleburne and later Gen. Kirby Smith during the Kentucky Invasion. When Cleburne was wounded at Richmond, Ky., Smith took charge of his division. He earned his promotion to brigadier general Oct. 27, 1862. At Chickamauga, Smith commanded a Tennessee brigade in Gen. Cheatham’s division of Polk’s Corps, which was intended to be the right wing of the attack. Smith did not survive to enjoy his side’s victory at Chickamauga.

Maj. Gen. Martin L. Smith, CSA (b. 1819, d. 1866) Yankee by birth, southerner by choice, Martin Luther Smith cast his lot with his adopted south (he married a girl from Athens, Ga., in 1846) during the Civil War. Smith was one of 22 generals from the U.S. Military Academy’s Class of 1842. Smith was born Sept. 9, 1819, in Tompkins County, N.Y. His father had been from Maine. Attending West Point, he made his post-academy career mainly with the topographical engineers. First posted in the south, he received a brevet for mapping the valley of Mexico City. He resigned his commission on April Fool’s Day (April 1), 1861, and took a commission as a major in the Confederate corps of engineers. But he soon was made colonel of the 21st Louisiana Infantry. He ascended to brigadier general April 11, 1862, and major general April 11, 1862. He helped to plan and construct defenses at New Orleans and Vicksburg. At Vicksburg, he commanded a division and was captured there. Paroled seven months after Vicksburg’s surrender, he became the chief engineer of the Army of Northern Virginia and later moved to the Army of Tennessee. In the final months of the war, he helped to prepare the defenses of Mobile Bay under Gen. P.G.T. Beauregard. He died in Savannah, Ga., July 29, 1866.

Brig. Gen. James A. Smith, CSA (b. 1831, d. 1901) Born in Maury County, Tenn., July 1, 1831, James Argyle Smith trained to be a soldier. He graduated with the U.S. Military Academy Class of 1853 and was assigned to the Sixth Infantry for frontier duty. He resigned his Federal commission May 9, 1861, and was appointed a captain in the Confederate Regular Army. He quickly ascended to major serving on the staff of Gen. Leonidas Polk. As lieutenant colonel of the Second Tennessee Infantry, James Smith earned praise from his regimental commander, Col. Preston Smith. That helped James Smith earn promotion to colonel. His command was the Fifth Confederate Infantry, a regiment he led in the battles of Perryville, Murfreesboro and Chickamauga. After receiving numerous recommendations from his superiors, Smith was promoted to brigadier general in the aftermath of Chickamauga, to rank from Sept. 30, 1863. He led a brigade in the Atlanta Campaign, until he was wounded. Returning for Hood’s Tennessee Invasion, he led Gen. Cleburne’s division after Cleburne was killed at Franklin. He led a remnant of Cheatham’s Corps following the Battle of Nashville and was paroled at Greensboro, N.C. May 1, 1865. Moving to Mississippi, Smith became a farmer. In 1877, he was elected superintendent of public education in Mississippi, and held that post for many years. He died Dec. 6, 1901, in Jackson, Miss.

Maj. Gen. Gustavus W. Smith, CSA (b. 1821, d. 1896) Army commander, secretary of war and author, Gustavus Woodson Smith did all three. Born in Georgetown, Ky., Nov. 30 or Dec. 1, 1821, Smith was schooled at the U.S. Military Academy, graduating with the Class of 1842. He was an engineer, but served in the Mexican War and earned three brevets. He also taught at West Point and worked on the construction of fortifications. Smith resigned from the military in 1854, becoming a civil engineer. At the outbreak of the Civil War, Smith was the street commissioner of New York City and active in the Democrat party. He entered Confederate service at the advanced rank of major general Sept. 19, 1861. During the Peninsular Campaign, Smith commanded a wing of the Army of Northern Virginia. At the Battle of Seven Pines, Smith took over as Army of Northern Virginia commander when Gen. Joseph Johnston was wounded. When Gen. Robert E. Lee took over, he relieved Smith and moved him to a post in southern Virginia. For a period in November 1862, Smith held the role of Secretary of War between George Randolph and James Seddon. He resigned his army commission in January 1863 because of the promotion of six officers junior in rank to him had been promoted to lieutenant general. But that wasn’t the end of his military duties. Georgia Gov. Joseph E. Brown appointed Smith major general of the Georgia militia. He led his units efficiently on the Chattahoochee before the Battle of Atlanta, and on Savannah’s fortified line. Smith surrendered at Macon, Ga., April 20, 1865. He became the superintendent of an iron works in Chattanooga, Tenn., and was the insurance commissioner of Kentucky from 1870-76. An author in his later years, Smith lived in New York City, where he died June 24, 1896. His works included, “Company ‘A’ Corps of Engineers, USA in the Mexican War,” “Confederate War Papers,” and “The Battle of Seven Pines.”

Gen. Edmund Kirby Smith, CSA (b. 1824, d. 1893) The last of the Confederate full generals, Edmund Kirby Smith saw action on a variety of fronts during the Civil War. Born in St. Augustine, Fla., May 16, 1824, the son of New England-born parents received early schooling at Alexandria, Va., Hallowell’s Preparatory School. While a cadet, he earned the nickname “Seminole” during his time at the U.S. Military Academy. He graduated with West Point’s Class of 1845 and joined the infantry as a second lieutenant. Fighting in the Mexican War, he won brevets to first lieutenant and captain for his conduct at Cerro Gordo and Contreras. Following the war, he returned to West Point and was an assistant professor of mathematics. He later rotated to the Texas frontier, fighting Indians. When the Civil War broke out, Smith was a major in the Second Cavalry at Fort Colorado, Texas. He refused to surrender the fort to the Texas militia under Ben McCullough and was ready to fight. When Florida seceded, Smith resigned his Federal commission April 6, 1861. Starting as a lieutenant colonel of cavalry, he served as chief of staff for Gen. Joseph E. Johnston in the Shenandoah. As post commander of Lynchburg, Va., he helped to welcome many units into Confederate service. He was commissioned brigadier general in the Provisional Army June 17, 1861, and given command of the Fourth Brigade, Army of the Shenandoah. Wounded at First Manassas, Smith earned promotion to major general Oct. 11, 1861, and returned to service in the role of a division commander. He moved to command the District of East Tennessee. Under Gen. Bragg, Smith commanded forces in the Invasion of Kentucky and won a decisive victory at Richmond, Ky., Aug. 30, 1862, which earned him a promotion to lieutenant general Oct. 9, 1862, Smith was sent to the Trans-Mississippi Department and fought for most of the war in this command. Cut off from Confederate governmental support, Smith had to worry about obtaining supplies for his troops, destroying cotton to prevent its capture and blockade running. Smith was able to make his own promotions to the general rank, referring some for governmental approval. He nearly resigned his commission in the fall of 1863, when he contemplated becoming a minister. Only some of his field promotions were approved by the Confederate government in Richmond. He received his permanent promotion to general in the Provisional Army Feb. 19, 1864. In the spring of that year, his command repulsed the Red River expedition of Federal Gen. N.P. Banks and then sent units to defeat Gen. Steele’s cavalry in Arkansas. His attempts to send reinforcements east of the Mississippi River were futile as the Union controlled that vital artery. His last major order dispatched Gen. Sterling Price and all of the cavalry into Missouri. Final action in the theater consisted of raids and guerilla activity. Smith was one of the last Confederate generals in the field, finally surrendering to Gen. E.R.S. Canby May 26, 1865. Following the war, Smith was the president of the Pacific and Atlantic Telegraph Company for two years. He was the president of Western Military Academy in Nashville and later the chancellor of the University of Nashville. From 1875 until his death, he was a professor of mathematics at the University of the South, Sewanee, Tenn. He died there March 28, 1893. In death, Smith continues to receive recognition. The state of Florida erected a statue of Smith in the National Statuary Hall Collection of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. A men’s dormitory building at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge is named after the general.

[Gil R.]

Thanks! At least we've got the Smiths out of the way now...

[Gil R.]

Here's Kirby Smith:


Gen. Edmund Kirby Smith (b. 1824, d. 1893). The last of the Confederacy’s full generals at the time of his death, Smith saw action on a variety of fronts during the Civil War. Born in St. Augustine, Florida, on May 16, 1824, this son of New England-born parents received early schooling at Hallowell’s Preparatory School in Alexandria, Virginia. While a cadet at the U.S. Military Academy, he earned the nickname “Seminole.” Why? Smith graduated with the Class of 1845 and joined the infantry as a 2nd Lieutenant. Fighting in the Mexican War, he won brevets to 1st Lieutenant and Captain for his conduct at Cerro Gordo and Contreras. Following the war, he returned to West Point as an assistant professor of mathematics. Smith later rotated to the Texas frontier, where the U.S. Army was fighting Indians. When the Civil War broke out, Smith was a Major in the Second Cavalry at Fort Colorado, Texas, and in this capacity refused to surrender the fort to the Texas militia under Col. Benjamin McCulloch. Soon thereafter, since his native Florida had seceded, Smith resigned his Federal commission on April 6, 1861 and entered service to the Confederacy. I changed the two previous sentences a bit, since it was a bit unclear why he was facing down a fellow Confederate. Starting as a Lieutenant Colonel of cavalry, he served as chief of staff for Gen. Joseph E. Johnston in the Shenandoah. As post commander of Lynchburg, he helped to welcome many units into Confederate service. He was commissioned Brigadier General in the Provisional Army on June 17, 1861, and given command of the Fourth Brigade, Army of the Shenandoah. Seriously wounded at First Manassas, Smith earned promotion to Major General on Oct. 11, 1861, and returned to service in the role of a division commander, soon taking up command of the District of East Tennessee. Under Gen. Braxton Bragg, Smith commanded forces in the ultimately unsuccessful Invasion of Kentucky and won a decisive victory at Richmond, Kentucky on Aug. 30, 1862, which earned him a promotion to Lieutenant General on Oct. 9, 1862. In January, Smith was sent to the Trans-Mississippi Department and fought for most of the war in this command. Cut off from Confederate governmental support after the fall of Vicksburg and Port Hudson – which was partly blamed on Smith’s failure to aid the Vicksburg garrison – Smith had to worry about obtaining supplies for his troops, destroying cotton to prevent its capture, and blockade running, and also made his own promotions to general rank (only some of which were approved by the Confederate government). Smith’s broad administrative responsibilities and his large degree of autonomy over the expanse of territory that came to be called “Kirby Smithdom” were unparalleled during the Civil War, and led to sore feelings among some of his peers. Smith received his promotion to permanent general in the Provisional Army on Feb. 19, 1864. In the spring of that year, his command repulsed the Red River expedition of Union Gen. Nathaniel P. Banks and then sent units to defeat Gen. Frederick Steele’s cavalry in Arkansas, but his subordinate, Gen. Richard Taylor, and others believed that Smith’s strategy deprived the South of a greater victory. His attempts to send reinforcements east of the Mississippi River were futile, as the Union controlled that vital artery. Smith’s last major order dispatched Gen. Sterling Price and all of the Confederate cavalry into Missouri. The final actions in the theater consisted of raids and guerilla activity. Smith was one of the last Confederate generals in the field, finally surrendering to Gen. Edward R.S. Canby on May 26, 1865. Following the war, Smith was the president of the Pacific and Atlantic Telegraph Company for two years. He also served as the president of Western Military Academy in Nashville and later the chancellor of the University of Nashville. From 1875 until his death, Smith was a professor of mathematics at the University of the South, in Sewanee, Tennessee, where he died on March 28, 1893. I’m striping out the following, since we don’t really list such honors for other generals, and because we need to keep this under the 3900-char. maximum: “In death, Smith continues to receive recognition. The state of Florida erected a statue of Smith in the National Statuary Hall Collection of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. A men’s dormitory building at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge is named after the general.” (Bio by Bill Battle)

Leadership: 6
Tactical: 4
Initiative: 5
Command: 4
Cavalry: 0

Teaches: Independent (9), Foragers (17), Random (-1)

Start date: 11

[Battleline]

Gil,
Changes look good.
Kirby Smith was still a Federal soldier when he faced McCulloch's Texas forces. He resigned his commission later and ironically was on the same side with the force he denied Fort Colorado.
As for the nickname Seminole, I could only guess that it had something to do with his Florida roots and the recently-ended Seminole war.
Working on the next four generals right now!
Battleline

[Gil R.]

I did another Smith a few nights ago but forgot to post it here. Six more Smiths to go...


Brig. Gen. William Duncan Smith (b. 1825, d. 1862). Neither bullet nor sword nor cannonball struck down Smith: instead, the instrument of death was a mosquito. Smith died of yellow fever when his army star was at its zenith. Born in Augusta, Georgia, on July 28, 1825, Smith attended the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, graduating in 1846. After graduating he was right in the middle of the Mexican-American War, being severely wounded at the Battle of Molino Del Rey. From 1859 to 1861, Smith was on a leave of absence in Europe. On January 28, 1861, he resigned his captain’s commission in the Second Dragoons to enter the Confederate Army. Smith was commissioned Colonel of the 20th Georgia Infantry on July 14, 1861, and earned promotion to brigadier general March 7, 1862, gaining transfer to the command of Gen. John C. Pemberton in the Department of South Carolina and Georgia. He was given command of the District of South Carolina and established his headquarters in Charleston. When Union Gen. David Hunter tried to place forces on James Island, near Charleston, Smith commanded one wing of the Confederate forces led by Gen. Nathan G. “Shanks” Evans. The ensuing fight, the Battle of Secessionville, ended in a complete Confederate victory, and saved Charleston. Smith, who earned praise for both his ability behind a desk and in the field, was pushed for higher command by South Carolina Congressman William P. Miles (who also helped to design the Confederate Battle Flag). Miles urged the appointment of Smith to supersede Pemberton. But before this could happen, Smith contracted yellow fever and died in Charleston, Oct. 4, 1862. (Bio by Bill Battle)

Leadership: 3
Tactical: 4
Initiative: 3
Command: 4
Cavalry:

Start date: 28

[Gil R.]

ORIGINAL: Battleline

Gil,
Changes look good.
Kirby Smith was still a Federal soldier when he faced McCulloch's Texas forces. He resigned his commission later and ironically was on the same side with the force he denied Fort Colorado.
As for the nickname Seminole, I could only guess that it had something to do with his Florida roots and the recently-ended Seminole war.
Working on the next four generals right now!
Battleline

Okay, since we were over the 3900-char. limit AND the nickname was not demonstrably fascinating, I chopped that sentence, and then added a final bit to the sentence about Fort Colorado, so that it now reads: "When the Civil War broke out, Smith was a Major in the Second Cavalry at Fort Colorado, Texas, and in this capacity refused to surrender the fort to the Texas militia under Col. Benjamin McCulloch – whose side he would soon join." The beauty of this is that the bio comes in at 3896 chars., so it worked just perfectly. Kirby Smith is now good to go.

[Battleline]

Maj. Gen. Gustavus W. Smith, CSA (b. 1821, d. 1896) Army commander, secretary of war and author, Gustavus Woodson Smith did all three. Born in Georgetown, Ky., Nov. 30 or Dec. 1, 1821, Smith was schooled at the U.S. Military Academy, graduating with the Class of 1842. He was an engineer, first working at New London, Connecticut, where he met Lucretia Bassett, whom he married in 1844. He returned to West Point as an assistant professor of engineering prior to the Mexican War. Smith joined the only engineer company in the army during the Mexican War and ascended to command after the death of Capt. Alexander J. Swift in April 1847. He received brevets at Cerro Gordo and Contreras. Smith resigned from the military in 1854, first as a filibuster in John A. Quitman's expedition to Cuba and then becoming a civil engineer. He worked on governmental projects at the Treasury Building in Washington, the mint in New Orleans. In 1857, he was the elected to the board of directors for the Illinois Central Railroad. At the outbreak of the Civil War, Smith was the street commissioner of New York City and active in the Democrat party. He entered Confederate service at the advanced rank of major general in charge of the Second Corps of the Confederate Army of the Potomac, Sept. 19, 1861. During the Peninsular Campaign, Smith commanded a wing of the Army of Northern Virginia. At the Battle of Seven Pines, Smith took over as Army of Northern Virginia commander when Gen. Joseph Johnston was wounded. When Gen. Robert E. Lee took over, he relieved Smith and moved him to a post in southern Virginia. For a period in November 1862, Smith held the role of Secretary of War between George Randolph and James Seddon. He resigned his army commission in January 1863 because of the promotion of six officers junior in rank to him had been promoted to lieutenant general. But that wasn’t the end of his military duties. Georgia Gov. Joseph E. Brown appointed Smith major general of the Georgia militia. He led his units efficiently on the Chattahoochee before the Battle of Atlanta, and on Savannah’s fortified line. Smith's greatest victory in charge of the Georgia militia was at Honey Hill, South Carolina, in November of 1864. Smith surrendered at Macon, Ga., April 20, 1865. He became the superintendent of an iron works in Chattanooga, Tenn., and was the insurance commissioner of Kentucky from 1870-76. An author in his later years, Smith lived in New York City, where he died June 24, 1896. His works included, “Company ‘A’ Corps of Engineers, USA in the Mexican War,” “Confederate War Papers,” and “The Battle of Seven Pines.”

[Battleline]

]Maj. Gen. Martin L. Smith, CSA (b. 1819, d. 1866) Yankee by birth, southerner by choice, Martin Luther Smith cast his lot with his adopted south (he married a girl from Athens, Georgia, in 1846) during the Civil War. Smith was one of 22 generals from the U.S. Military Academy’s Class of 1842 (he graduated 16th of 56). Smith was born Sept. 9, 1819, in Tompkins County, New York. His father had been from Maine. Attending West Point, he made his post-academy career mainly with the topographical engineers. First posted in the south, he received a brevet for mapping the valley of Mexico City. Posted in Florida, he also served as an engineer for the Ferdinandina & Cedar Keys Railroad. He resigned his commission on April Fool’s Day (April 1), 1861, and took a commission as a major in the Confederate corps of engineers and assigned to New Orleans. But he soon was made colonel of the 21st Louisiana Infantry. He ascended to brigadier general April 11, 1862, and major general April 11, 1862. He helped to plan and construct defenses at New Orleans and Vicksburg. At Vicksburg, he commanded a division and was captured there. Paroled seven months after Vicksburg’s surrender, he became the chief engineer of the Army of Northern Virginia and later moved to the Army of Tennessee. In the final months of the war, he helped to prepare the defenses of Mobile Bay under Gen. P.G.T. Beauregard. He died in Savannah, Georgia., July 29, 1866.

Note: State names have been changed from Associated Press style to being spelled out.

[Battleline]

Maj. Gen. William Smith, CSA (b. 1797, d. 1887) William “Extra Billy” Smith already had quite a life by the time the Civil War broke out. Born Sept. 6, 1797, at “Marengo” in King George County, Va., Smith was schooled in Virginia and Connecticut. Studying law, Smith began his first career as a lawyer in Culpepper, Va., in 1818. Smith earned his nickname, “Extra Billy” during his mail coach service from Washington, D.C., to Milledgeville, Ga. (then the state capital). The fast expansion of the route and subsequent extra payments. Postmaster William T. Barry came under attack for increasing contractor payments and when that was discovered, Smith received his nickname. Beginning in 1836, Smith served five years in the Virginia senate, five terms in Congress and one term as Virginia governor. With the outbreak of the Civil War, Smith was offered a state commission as a brigadier general, but turned it down. In the early days of the war, he happened to be at Fairfax Court House when Federal cavalry charged through town, killing the Confederate commander. Smith took charge and organized the defenses. After that, he was commissioned as colonel of the 49th Virginia Infantry and a few days later fought at First Manassas. Elected to the Confederate Congress in November, 1861, Smith split his time in Richmond and with his troops during the Peninsular Campaign, the Seven Days Campaign, Second Manassas, Sharpsburg and Gettysburg. He received his first wound at Seven Pines, but luckily the bullet was spent and only bruised him. Under heavy fire from Federal sharpshooters during the Second Manassas Campaign, Smith encouraged his men, “Of course you can’t stand it boys; it’s all this infernal tactics and West P’int tomfoolery. Damn it, fire, and flush the game!” Smith’s aversion for West Point and military traditions carried over to his uniform. At Chantilly, Smith wore a tall beaver hat and had a blue cotton umbrella. At Sharpsburg, Smith shrugged off three wounds while in command of his brigade. He received praise from Gen. JEB Stuart, stating he was “conspicuously brave and self-possessed.” Recovering, he resigned from the Congress and was promoted to brigadier general Jan. 31, 1863. He commanded Early’s former brigade at Chancellorsville, but struggled with his unit deployments. During the Gettysburg Campaign, Smith’s Brigade led Early’s Division into York, Penn. Using the type of charm that made him a political favorite in his home state, Smith made the best of a crowded situation, giving a speech from the saddle (called rattling and humorous) that left his men and the locals applauding. When Early approached the scene, he was angry for the delay, but Smith defused that situation. “Having a little fun, General,” Smith said, “which is good for all of us.” Smith’s on-field generalship could have used a little West Point spit and polish. He took his brigade out of action against a nonexistent threat during fighting July 1, 1863 and missed the sweeping triumph of Second Corps. His brigade was kept near that of John B. Gordon, so the latter could help and take over where necessary. Both units were not in position to be used when Ewell was deciding whether or not to attack Cemetery Hill. For the most part, the brigade missed the battle, being sent to reinforce Johnson’s Division July 3. For the most part, that was it for Extra Billy’s military service. He was pressed into a recruiting role. While he was promoted to major general Aug. 12, 1863, he later was in He was elected as governor of Virginia again and left the army to assume that post Jan. 1, 1864. It was said the troops voted heavily for Smith to get him out of uniform. He held his governorship until the end of the war, but after that he retired to his estate, “Monterosa,” near Warrenton, Va., He was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates from 1877 to 1879. Smith died on his estate May 18, 1887, and is buried in Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond.

Smith's bio is pretty complete. About the only thing I might add would be that he briefly lived in California after the Mexican War and was active in politics, but refused citizenship there and returned to Virginia.

[Gil R.]

Thanks. And writing out state names is good, since foreign players don't necessarily know all of the abbreviations.

[jkBluesman]

Well, they have to in the game...

[Gil R.]

That's a fine point.

I guess I'll counter by saying that since the first 175 bios don't have abbreviations (except for when I was desperate to save space, or missed something), we should be consistent.

[jkBluesman]

And after all you put it in the style pointers, which are the reference for every new writer who wants to join and write some of the 650 or so missing bios.

[Gil R.]

I had a few moments of time to kill, so here's one of the shorter bios, written way back when. I couldn't resist adding that part at the end.


Brig. Gen. Preston Smith (b. 1823, d. 1863). Smith was a victim of being at the wrong place at the wrong time. Trying to coordinate a night attack during the middle of the Battle of Chickamauga, Smith and his aide were hit by a volley when they rode too close to the enemy’s lines. Smith’s aide was killed immediately, while Smith lingered for an hour before dying, ending a lengthy Confederate career. Smith was born in Giles County, Tennessee, on December 25, 1823. Receiving higher education at Jackson College in Columbia, Tennessee, he worked as a lawyer in Waynesboro and Memphis before the war. In 1861, Smith was commissioned as the colonel of the 154th Tennessee Infantry, a militia regiment mustered into state forces. Severely wounded at Shiloh in April 1862, he served on the staffs of Gen. Patrick R. Cleburne and later Gen. Kirby Smith during the Confederate army’s Kentucky Invasion later that year. When Cleburne was wounded at Richmond, Kentucky, on August 29, Smith took charge of his division. He earned his promotion to brigadier general two months later, on October 27. At Chickamauga, Smith commanded a Tennessee brigade in Gen. Benjamin F. Cheatham’s division of Gen. Leonidas Polk’s Corps, which was intended to be the right wing of the attack. Smith did not survive to enjoy his side’s victory at Chickamauga (or to grouse about the missed opportunities in its aftermath). (Bio by Bill Battle)

Leadership: 3
Tactical: 3
Initiative: 4
Command: 3
Cavalry:

Start date: 43
Death date: 65

[Gil R.]

This one’s fine as it is, but I found a website that has a lot of info on Smith, including more details on his braining by the Union officer. So, you might want to add some of this material. Here’s the site: http://www.tennessee-scv.org/Camp854/tbsmith.htm

Brig. Gen. Thomas Benton Smith (b. 1838, d. 1923). The Civil War was long over when Smith passed away in the Tennessee State Asylum in Nashville. Smith spent the final forty-seven years of his life in this institution following a severe wound received after he was taken as a prisoner of war at the Battle of Nashville. Smith was born in Mechanicsville, Tennessee, on February 24, 1838. He was schooled at the Nashville Military Institute and worked in the shops of the Nashville & Decatur Railroad. At the outbreak of the Civil War, Smith was elected 2nd lieutenant of Company B, 20th Tennessee Infantry. Fighting at Mill Springs (Fishing Creek) and Shiloh in early 1862, Smith was elected the regiment’s colonel when it was reorganized in May. He was severely wounded in the Battle of Murfreesboro, a three-day engagement on December 31, 1862-January 2, 1863 that was among the war’s bloodiest, while fighting in Gen. William J. Hardee’s II Corps, but was back on active duty for battles at Baton Rouge and Chickamauga and during the Atlanta Campaign of 1864, during which he received his promotion to brigadier general on July 29. While he was leading a brigade in Gen. William B. Bate’s division at the Battle of Nashville on December 15-16, 1864, Smith and most of his command were captured following a fierce fight. While being escorted to the enemy’s rear, Smith was repeatedly struck over the head with a sword by Col. William Linn McMillen of the 95th Ohio Infantry, a unit reported to have suffered many casualties during Smith’s final stand. Taken to a Union field hospital, it was discovered that Smith’s brain was exposed and consequently he was not expected to live. However, Smith recovered to some extent. Following the war, he worked for various railroads as a brakeman and conductor. In 1870, he unsuccessfully ran for Congress. Smith was admitted to the state asylum in 1876 and remained there until his death on May 21, 1923. (Bio by Bill Battle)

Leadership: 5
Tactical: 3
Initiative: 3
Command: 3
Cavalry:

Start date: 85
“Death” date: 95

Teaches: Disciplined (20), Steady (14)