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William Farrar Smith Residence was not listed; a 37 year-old US Army Officer. Enlisted on 7/1/1859 as a 1st Lieutenant. On 7/1/1859 he was commissioned into 'D' Co. US Army 1st Battn Eng He Resigned on 3/21/1867 (Prior service in US Army since 07/01/1845) On 4/27/1861 he was commissioned into Field & Staff VT 3rd Infantry He was discharged for promotion on 8/13/1861 On 8/13/1861 he was commissioned into US Volunteers General Staff He Resigned on 11/4/1865 Promotions: * Colonel 4/27/1861 (As of 3rd VT Infantry) * Brig-General 8/13/1861 * Lt Colonel 6/28/1862 by Brevet * Major-Gen 7/4/1862 * Colonel 9/17/1862 by Brevet * Major 3/3/1863 * Brig-General 3/13/1865 by Brevet * Major-Gen 3/13/1865 by Brevet Other Information: born 2/17/1824 in St Albans, VT died 2/28/1903 in Philadelphia, PA (Graduate USMA 07/01/1845) Sources used by Historical Data Systems, Inc.: - Roster of Vermont Volunteers During the War of the Rebellion 1861-66 - Generals in Blue, Lives of the Union Commanders - Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the US: Biographical Sketches - Dyer: A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion - Heitman: Register of United States Army 1789-1903 (c) Historical Data Systems, Inc. @ www.civilwardata.com WILLIAM FARRAR SMITH Smith, William F., major-general, was born in the state of Vermont, and was a cadet at the U. S. military academy from July 1, 1841 to July 1, 1845, when he was graduated and promoted in the army to brevet second lieutenant of topographical engineers. He served as assistant topographical engineer on the survey of the Northern lakes, 1845-46; at the military academy as assistant professor of mathematics, Nov. 6, 1846, to Aug. 21, 1848; as assistant topographical engineer on explorations in the Department of Texas, 1848-50, being commissioned second lieutenant of topographical engineers on July 14, 1849. He was on the survey of the boundary between the United States and Mexico 1850-52, on the survey of the canal route across Florida in 1853, and was commissioned first lieutenant of topographical engineers on March 3, 1853. He was on explorations in Texas, 1853-55; at the military academy as principal assistant professor of mathematics, Sept. 4, 1855, to Sept. 8, 1856; as engineer of the 11th light-house district, Dec. 11, 1856, to Nov. 3, 1859, and he was commissioned captain of topographical engineers on July 1, 1859, for fourteen years, continuous service. He then served as engineer secretary of the light-house board from Nov. 3, 1859, to April 15, 1861. He served during the Civil war, first on mustering duty at New York city, April 15 to May 31, 1861 , on the staff of Maj.-Gen. Butler at Fort Monroe, Va., June 1 to July 20, and was commissioned colonel of the 3d Vt. infantry on July 16, 1861. He was on the staff of Brig-Gen. McDowell, July 20 to Aug. 13; served in the Manassas campaign and was engaged in the battle of Bull Run, in the defenses of Washington, D. C., July 27, 1861 to March 1O, 1862, and he was commissioned brigadier-general of volunteers on Aug. 13, 1861. He served in the Virginia Peninsular campaign, in command of a division of the Army of the Potomac, being engaged in the siege of Yorktown including the skirmish of Lee's mill, the battles of Williamsburg, Fair Oaks, White Oak swamp, Savage Station, Glendale and Malvern hill. On June 28, 1862, he was brevetted lieutenant-colonel, U. S. A., for gallant and meritorious services in the battle of White Oak swamp, and in the Maryland campaign he was in command of a division of the Army of the Potomac, being engaged in the battles of South mountain and Antietam, and on the march to Falmouth. On Sept. 17, 1862, he was brevetted colonel, U. S. A., for gallant and meritorious services in the battle of Antietam; participated in the Rappahannock campaign, in command of the 6th corps Nov. 14, 1861 to Feb. 4, 1863, and of the 9th corps from Feb. 4 to March 17, being engaged in the battle of Fredericksburg. He was commissioned major of the corps of engineers on March 3, 1863, and was in command of a division in the Department of the Susquehanna, being engaged in the pursuit of the Confederate army retreating from Gettysburg, and was then in the Department of West Virginia from Aug. 3 to Sept. 5. He served as chief engineer of the Department of the Cumberland, Oct. 1O to November, and of the Military Division of the Mississippi from Nov., 1863 to March 31, 1864, in operations about Chattanooga, being engaged in surprising a passage and throwing a pontoon bridge across the Tennessee river at Brown's ferry, and he was also engaged in the battle of Missionary ridge. On March 9, 1864, he was commissioned major-general of volunteers, and was in command of the 18th corps of the Army of the Potomac from May 2 to July 19, being engaged in the operations before Richmond and in the battle of Cold Harbor and siege of Petersburg. He was on special duty, under the orders of the secretary of war, from Nov. 22, 1864 to Dec. 15, 1865, and was then on leave of absence until March 7, 1867, when he resigned from the regular army, having resigned his volunteer commission on Nov. 4, 1865. He was brevetted brigadier-general, U. S. A., on March 13, 1865, for gallant and meritorious services in the battle of Chattanooga, and on the same date was given the brevet title of major- general U. S. A., for gallant and meritorious services in the field during the Rebellion. He served as president of the International Telegraph company, 1864-73, and became Commissioner of Police of New York city on May 1, 1875, and then served as president of the Board of Police Commissioners from Dec. 31, 1875, to March 11, 1881. After this date he followed civil engineering in the service of the United States. He was reappointed as major, U. S. A., on March 1, 1889, and placed upon the retired list. Gen. Smith died on Feb. 28, 1903. Source: The Union Army, vol. 8 |
