University of Virginia Library

WILLIAM SMITH.

To the distinguished representation of the name of Smith in the annals
of Virginia some reference has been made in a preceding sketch
in this serial. Doubtless the paternal ancestor of the subject of this
biography was seated in the colony early in the seventeenth century,
but it is proposed to deduce first his descent maternally, which is more

definitely preserved. Alexander Doniphan,[37] a native of Spain, whose
name was thus Anglicized, a Protestant, migrated to England for religious
freedom, and thence to Virginia, where he married, some time
before the year 1662, an heiress, Margaret, daughter of George Mott,
a native of Scotland, and thus came into possession of a large landed
estate, of nearly 18,000 acres, located in the Northern Neck. He settled
in that part which was subsequently erected into King George
County, and died in 1716, leaving issue three sons and three daughters,
as follows Alexander (the ancestor of the distinguished and venerable
General A. W. Doniphan, United States Army), Mott, Margaret,
Elizabeth, Anne, and Robert. The second son, Alexander Doniphan,
married twice—first, Mary Waugh, and, secondly, Catharine Dobbins.
Of his issue by the first marriage was a daughter, Elizabeth, born April
12, 1744; died January 15, 1809; married, in 1773, William Smith, son
of Joseph and Kitty (Anderson) Smith,[38] born February 5, 1741;
died January 22, 1803. Of their issue of four daughters and three sons,
the eldest, Mary Waugh, born January 1, 1775; died September 15,
1811; married, December 18, 1794, Caleb, (son of Thomas) Smith,
born in 1761, and died in November, 1814. They had issue:

• i. Eliza, born September 25, 1795; died August 14, 1797.

• ii. William, the subject of this sketch, born September 6, 1797.

• iii. Thomas, born November 15, 1799; married Ann Maria Goodwin,
  of Caroline County, died April 4, 1847. He studied law with
  his brother William, and practiced for a time, but later entered
  the ministry of the Protestant Episcopal Church. By his unwearying
  exertions he caused the erection of the handsome Gothic
  church in Parkersburg, West Virginia. Had issue six sons and
  four daughters. Of the former, Thomas G., who is married,
  resides with his family in Parkersburg. Another son, Caleb,
  was reading law when the war with Mexico broke out. He enlisted,
  served with distinction, and was made a Lieutenant of
  the United States Artillery. In 1861 he joined the 49th Virginia
  Regiment, was made Major, and wounded and permanently
  disabled in the first battle of Manassas; died December 22, 1874.

• iv. Mary Frances, born January 9, 1802, married, December 14, 1820,
  Professor Alexander Keech, President of Potomac Academy,
  Virginia, who was offered by Mr. Jefferson a professorship in
  the University of Virginia.

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• v. Catharine Elizabeth, born April 10, 1804; married, December 7,
  1826, John A Blackford, and died December 4, 1844.

• vi. Martha, born July 24, 1806; married William Bell (died July 1,
  1879), brother of the wife of Governor Smith.

• vii. James Madison, born March 15, 1808; married, first, Mary Bell;
  secondly, May 22, 1845, his cousin, Martha Smith Boutwell;
  died December 15, 1853, at Donna Anna, New Mexico, on his
  way to take charge of an Indian Agency, to which he had been
  appointed by President Pierce.

• viii. Anna Maria, born December 3, 1809; married, January 17, 1833,
  Rev. Richard Johnson of South Carolina, of the Episcopal
  Church, who was attached to Hampton's Legion during the
  late civil war, and gained by his gallantry the sobriquet of
  "The Fighting Parson." He died February 7, 1872. Two
  sons only, living respectively in South Carolina and Georgia,
  survive of their issue.

William Smith, the subject of this sketch, entered, at the age of seven
years, the old field schools of his native county, King George, and some
years later received tuition in Fredericksburg, Virginia, where he resided
in the family of Judge John Williams Green. In 1811 he was sent to
Plainfield, Connecticut, to continue his studies at the academy of Jabez
W. Huntington, subsequently United States Senator. Here he made
considerable progress in the study of Latin and Greek; but the war
with Great Britain breaking out in June, 1812, young William caught
the patriotic fire of the period, and wished to enter the naval service.
Having written his father to procure him a midshipman's appointment,
the latter deemed it prudent to recall his ardent son home. He now for
a time enjoyed private tuition; but, upon the death of his father in
November, 1814, he was sent to the classical school of Rev. Thomas
Nelson, at "Wingfield," Hanover County. Mr. Nelson was a highly
successful teacher for a long series of years, and many of his pupils distinguished
themselves in science and in legislation. Young Smith continued
with Mr. Nelson until the age of eighteen, when he entered upon
the study of law, first with Green and Williams at Fredericksburg, then
with T. L. Moore in Warrenton, and finally for a brief period in the
office of General William H. Winder, in Baltimore, Maryland. Having

passed an examination by Judges Hugh Holmes, Robert White, and
John W. Green, he was licensed to practice law, and qualified in the
Court of Culpeper County, in August, 1819. His talents, energy, and
fidelity speedily gained him success in his profession. An ardent Democrat
in politics, the ability of Mr. Smith was soon extendedly in request by
his party. He responded cheerfully to its calls, though at personal sacrifice,
and persistently declined all political preferment for a long period.
In 1836, when in his thirty-ninth year, he consented to become a candidate
for the State Senate, to which he was elected, and served through
the term of four years. He was re-elected to this body, but resigned
after serving one session. In the Presidential campaign of 1840 Mr.
Smith effectively canvassed the State in the interest of his party, and
greatly enhanced his reputation as a public speaker.

Early in the career of Mr. Smith as a lawyer he had been impressed
with the illy-provided mail service of Culpeper County, and determined
to improve such facilities. In 1827 he obtained a contract for carrying
the mails twice a week from Fairfax Court House to Warrenton, and
thence to Culpeper Court House. He renewed this contract in 1831.
With this small beginning he in four years built up a daily four-horse
post-coach line from Washington City to Milledgeville, Georgia. In
1834 a violent attack was made upon the administration of the Post-office
Department, W. T. Barry being then Postmaster-General. In
the rapid development of the postal facilities of the Southern country
the expenditures of the Department were largely increased. In the
Blue Book, or official register of the United States Government, the
salaries or compensation of its officers or contractors appear in connection
with the names; and, in the case of the contractors, compensation
for instances of additional service ordered to be performed is indicated
by an asterisk. Every extra allowance beyond the stipulations of
the original contract was thus designated. As the route of Mr. Smith
was one of rapid development his entries of service were abundantly
thus marked. The circumstance was noted in debate by Senator Benjamin
Watkins Leigh, from Virginia, who, without calling the name of
Mr. Smith, yet affixed upon him the life-long sobriquet of "Extra
Billy." Mr. Smith obtained, January 1, 1835, the mail contract by
steamboat and coach-line between Washington and Richmond. The
previous contractors, Messrs. Edmond, Davenport & Co., of the latter
place, started a passenger line in opposition, and for a few months there
was a lively competition, which is transmitted in traditions of free passage,
and finally of the additional gratuitous inducement of a bottle of
wine. It was ended by the transfer, for a consideration, of the contract
to the former contractors. During this contest, in the month of
March, Mr. Smith was seized, in Fredericksburg, Virginia, with a
violent attack of inflammatory rheumatism, which confined him to his
bed, incapable of movement without assistance. Early in March, whilst
still prostrated, and at a time when the ground was covered with snow,

intelligence was brought him that three of his coaches had been overturned
in Potomac Run, which was very much swollen in volume.
Under the stimulant of strong excitement he demanded that he should
be taken from bed, dressed, and placed upon his riding horse, and would
take no denial. This was, with difficulty and much pain to himself, accomplished.
Urging his horse to full speed he speedily reached the
run, plunged into the foaming flood, and ordered the drivers to his
assistance. Reaching the coaches, singularly enough, he found that the
excitement had freed him from the rheumatism. Dismounting into the
water, his active example soon righted the trouble, and the coaches resumed
their route. The rheumatism was dispelled, not to return again.
The resolution of Mr. Smith was strikingly exhibited on another occasion.
Being deprived unexpectedly of the services of the captain and
pilot of a steamboat which he ran between Baltimore and Norfolk, he
undauntedly took command of the boat and charge of the wheel himself,
and successfully made the hazardous trip. Such energetic purpose
merited the fullest pecuniary success, but it was unfortunately otherwise.
The attention of Mr. Smith being divided between politics, his
profession, and his contracts, subjected him to the peculation of his
agents, and financial disaster was the result. In 1841 Mr. Smith was
elected to Congress over the Hon. Linn Banks, and served in that body
until 1843. In December, 1845, he was elected Governor of Virginia
for the term of three years, succeeding James McDowell, January 1,
1846. During his term he was an unsuccessful candidate for the United
States Senate. In 1850 Governor Smith determined to go to California,
where two of his sons were residing. He arrived in San Francisco in
May, and engaged in the practice of his profession with much success.
His first considerable fee was $3,000 for the examination into the celebrated
Suter title. California was admitted into the Union September 9,
1850.

Governor Smith was returned by San Francisco as its delegate to the
Constitutional Convention which met at Benicia in the autumn of 1850,
and was unanimously elected the permanent President of the body. In
the State Assembly, which convened soon after, Governor Smith was
nominated for United States Senator, but was not elected. When, on
the 1st of December, 1852, Governor Smith determined to return to
Virginia, such had been his success from his practice that he left in San
Francisco property acquired therefrom which yielded him an annual
rental of $18,000. Upon reaching Virginia, Governor Smith found the
people of the State much agitated about a redivision into Congressional
Districts, rendered necessary by the Census of 1850. Upon the Legislature,
then in session, devolved this duty. Under the new apportionment
Governor Smith was elected to Congress in May, 1853, and served
in this body by successive re-election until March 4, 1861. Returning
home, he was prostrated by sickness, and confined to his room for two

BLANDFORD CHURCH.

months. In the meanwhile the initial movement of our recent lamentable
civil war had been instituted. Governor Smith, feeling that the
struggle on the part of the South "would need the employment of every
element of its strength" in the contest, was impelled by a sense of duty
to enter the army, though in the sixty-fourth year of his age, and "wholly
ignorant of drill and tactics." He therefore offered his services to Governor
Letcher, and was promptly commissioned as Colonel and assigned
to the command of the 49th Regiment of Virginia Infantry, then being
organized, and containing only three companies, with which it inaugurated
its subsequent long and brilliant career by a gallant participation
in the first battle of Manassas. Its first commander thus warmly testifies
to its valorous worth: "I will say that, in the numerous bloody
fights in which it was engaged, it never broke in battle or gave me the
slightest uneasiness or concern as to its conduct." During the summer
and autumn it remained in camp at Manassas, completing its organization
and being perfected in drill. During this period Colonel Smith, at
the solicitations of his friends, announced himself as a candidate for the
Confederate States Congress, and was elected. He attended this body
when it convened at Richmond in February, 1862, leaving his regiment
in the command of the Lieutenant-Colonel. Upon the adjournment of
Congress, on April 16th, he rejoined his command. At the reorganization
of the regiment, May 1st, he was elected its Colonel, upon which
he resigned his seat in Congress. He participated with his command in
the operations on the Peninsula, about Yorktown, and in those later
near Richmond. In the battle of the Seven Pines the loss of the regiment
was fifty-five per cent. of its number. Of its service here Colonel
Smith narrates: "Anderson's brigade, of which my regiment was a part,
was ordered to keep on the left of the Williamsburg road, and `To the
front, forward march' was the only order I received during the fight of
some hours. In obeying this order we had to encounter a formidable
abattis, consisting of heavy felled timber, in which was also a
row of rifle pits, and also, on the Williamsburg road, a formidable
earth-work—the whole occupied by an enemy whom we could
not see until we came into the closest proximity. It was on this occasion,
upon the complaint of my men that they could not see the foe, that
I gave the order to `flush the game,' which excited so much humorous
newspaper comment." Colonel Smith effectively participated in the battle
of Sharpsburg, Maryland, on the 17th of September, 1862, the 49th
Virginia constituting the right of the line in that memorable engagement.
Colonel Smith was here severely wounded. One of his wounds,
through the shoulder, it was feared would prove fatal. Before his wounds
were healed he returned to the field, in April, 1863, having been promoted
to the rank of Brigadier-General, and took command of the 4th
Brigade, then lying at Hamilton's Crossing, near Fredericksburg, Va.

He now announced himself as a candidate for Governor of Virginia,
and was elected to this office by a large majority in May. Early in August,
1863, he was promoted to the rank of Major-General. He entered upon
his duties as Governor, January 1, 1864. He found that local defence
was greatly needed, from the frequent raids with which the capital was
menaced by the enemy. He accordingly organized two regiments for this
purpose from those who by reason of disability, as foreigners or contractors,
or by age or non-age, were exempt from duty in the regular service.
To each of these regiments was attached a company of cavalry. When
called to the defence of the city lines, Governor Smith always assumed
command of them, and the service thus rendered was in several exigencies
highly important. Another great want in the State was supplies
of every description—food for man and beast. Towards this provision
Governor Smith assumed the authority to employ as a purchasing fund
the sum of $110,000, which he drew in part from the State contingent
fund, and borrowed the remainder from the State banks. He commissioned
agents, some of whom were supplied with cotton with which to
secure through the blockade such supplies as could only be obtained
from abroad; others procured from the South corn, rice, and other needful
supplies. The measure was signally successful, and profitable to the
State, as an advance of ten per cent. upon the cost was charged to cover
transportation and contingent expenses, whilst the public was protected
from speculative extortion. It greatly assisted the Confederate Commissariat
in times of need, and upon the conclusion of the war the Confederacy
was indebted to the State in the sum of $300,000 for such
supplies.

Upon the evacuation of Richmond, April 3, 1865, Governor Smith
determined to remove the seat of government to Lynchburg. General
Lee surrendering to General Grant three days after his arrival in that
city, he determined to remove the State Government to Danville,
Virginia, but here, again, rapidly maturing events frustrated
his hopes. Returning home, he surrendered himself to the
dominant Federal authorities, and received his parole. In the meantime,
however, a reward of $25,000 had been offered for his apprehension,
and it is a gratifying commentary upon the Virginia people that
no one had thought of securing it by discovering him.

Governor Smith, since the war, has resided in Warrenton, Virginia,
devoted to agricultural pursuits. He married, in 1811, Miss Bell,
with whom he blissfully lived for the long period of fifty-eight years, being
bereaved of his excellent companion January 7, 1879. They had issue:

• i. William Henry, born 1822; entered the United States Navy as a
  midshipman; obtaining leave of absence, in 1850, entered into
  a private maritime enterprise, and was lost at sea in that year
  somewhere off the Sandwich Islands.

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• ii. James Caleb, was licensed a lawyer, and, removing to California,
  was appointed a Judge of the Superior Court of San Francisco;
  member of the California Assembly; became a member of a
  great land company in Central America, was elected its president,
  and died at New Grenada of fever.

• iii. Mary Amelia, born in 1827; unmarried, and resides with her
  father.

• iv. Austin E., born 1829; in February, 1853, removed to San Francisco,
  California; appointed by President Buchanan naval officer
  of that port; resigned in 1861, and, going to Washington to settle
  his accounts, was held as a prisoner of war; finally exchanged,
  he entered the Confederate States Army as an Aid on the staff
  of General Whiting; died from the effects of a wound received
  at the battle of Gaines' Mill.

• v. Ellen, vi. Catherine, and vii. John, all died in infancy.

• viii. Thomas, born 1838; graduated A. M. from William and Mary College;
  after attending a law course of two years at the University
  of Virginia, settled in Charlestown, West Virginia; served as a
  volunteer in the suppression of the John Brown raid; appointed,
  in 1861, Major of the 36th Virginia Regiment; commanded it at
  Fort Donelson; captured a battery of the enemy under special
  orders, armed his regiment with superior arms from the field,
  and successfully retreated; promoted to the rank of Colonel, and
  gallantly commanded his brigade to the close of the war. Since
  has served as Judge of Fauquier County, and at present efficiently
  represents it in the State House of Delegates.

• ix. P. Bell, born 1839; graduated A. M., William and Mary College,
  and A. B., University of Virginia. In 1859 commenced the practice
  of law at Warrenton, Virginia. Having lost an arm by accident
  in youth, he was disabled from service in the Confederate
  Army; served in 1864 as Governor's Aid to his father. Accidentally
  killed himself October 13, 1865.

• x. Littleton Moore, born 1840; died March 10, 1849.

• xi. Frederick Waugh, born 1843; volunteer in the 49th Virginia Regiment;
  wounded at the battle of Fredericksburg; appointed
  Sergeant-Major; later served on the staff of his father, and subsequently
  joined the command of Colonel John S. Mosby, in
  which he continued to the close of the late war. Is married,
  and now living in Arizona Territory.

Governor Smith retains in a remarkable degree his entire faculties,
mental and physical. His erect and alert carriage misleads one as to
his age. He is still a most effective speaker, as his present earnest
advocacy in public of the cause of temperance fully evidences. There
is a fine portrait of him in the State Library at Richmond.