History of Savannah, (Hardin County) Tennessee United States of America

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Charles Ferguson Smith, soldier, was born in Philadelphia, Pa., April 24, 1807; son of Dr. Samuel Blair and ?? (Ferguson) Smith, and grandson of the Rev. John Blair Smith and of Col. Ebenezer Ferguson, of Pennsylvania. He was graduated from the U.S. Military academy, as brevet 2d lieutenant of 2d artillery, July 1, 1825, and was promoted 2d lieutenant the same date. He served in garrison in Delaware and Georgia, 1825?29; was assistant instructor in infantry tactics, at the U.S. Military academy, 1829?31; adjutant, 1831?38, and commandant of cadets and instructor in infantry tactics, 1838?42. He was promoted captain, July 7, 1832; took part in the war with Mexico, and was brevetted major, May 9, 1846, for gallantry at Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma; lieutenant-colonel, Sept. 23, 1846, for Monterey, and colonel, Aug. 20, 1847, for Contreras and Churubusco. He was present at the storming of Chapultepec, Sept. 13, 1847, and at the assault and capture of the city of Mexico, Sept. 14, 1847. He commanded the police guard of the city of Mexico, 1847?48; was in garrison at Fort Marion, Fla., in 1849; and was a member of a board of officers to devise "a complete system of instruction for siege, garrison, sea coast and mountain artillery." He was president of the beard of claims for supplies, etc., furnished by Colonel Fremont to California volunteers in 1846, 1852?55; was promoted major, 1st artillery, Nov. 25, 1854, and lieutenant-colonel, 10th infantry, March 3, 1855, and served in garrison and frontier duty, 1855?61. He was in command of the Department of Washington, April 10?28, 1861; was superintendent of general recruiting service at Fort Columbus, N.Y., April-August, 1861; was appointed brigadier-general of U.S. volunteers, Aug. 31, 1861; and was given command of Paducah, and the Kentucky shore of the Mississippi river, 1861?62. He was promoted colonel, 3d infantry, Sept. 9, 1861; commanded the 2d division in the land operations against Fort Henry, Feb. 4?6, 1862, and marched up the left bank of the river against Fort Heiman. In the assault and capture of Fort Donelson, Feb. 16, 1862, he commanded the 2d division, Grant's army, and led the assault on the outworks, capturing the Confederate rifle pits, and planting his colors on the breastworks. By order of Halleck on March 4, 1862, he temporarily relieved Grant, leading an expedition up the Tennessee River to operate on the enemy's railroad communications, and when on March 13, Grant was restored he was the first to congratulate him. He had been Grant's commandant at West Point and appreciating the position of his former pupil who had refrained from exercising his authority, Smith begged to be treated like the other division commanders. He was promoted major-general, U.S.V., March 21, 1862. General Grant arrived March 17th, and selected that point as the rendezvous for the two armies. Smith's division was held in reserve at the battle of Shiloh, and as he was ill at Savannah, the command devolved on Gert. W. H. L. Wallace , who was mortally wounded on the first day. General Smith died at Savannah, Tenn., April 25, 1862.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

History of Savannah, (Hardin County) Tennessee

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