CSA Bios: The Smiths (8)
Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2007 4:42 pm
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.
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.