Civil War Union Major General. Born in New York, when the Civil War began he was in Missouri, where he joined his brother Colonel Morgan L. Smith's volunteer infantry regiment and was appointed Captain. In 1862, he was commissioned Colonel to a brigade in General William T. Sherman 's Army and for his performance in the capture of Arkansas Post was promoted Brigadier General. He fought with General Ulysses S. Grant at Vicksburg in 1863 and with General Sherman at Atlanta in 1864. In 1865, he was appointed command of a division in the 25th Corps, the only all-black corps in the army. He was transferred to Texas, where the troops performed non-combat services and was promoted the last Union Major General of US Volunteers of the Civil War. After the war, he served briefly as a postal official under President Grant.
Civil War Union Major General. Born in New York, when the Civil War began he was in Missouri, where he joined his brother Colonel Morgan L. Smith's volunteer infantry regiment and was appointed Captain. In 1862, he was commissioned Colonel to a brigade in General William T. Sherman 's Army and for his performance in the capture of Arkansas Post was promoted Brigadier General. He fought with General Ulysses S. Grant at Vicksburg in 1863 and with General Sherman at Atlanta in 1864. In 1865, he was appointed command of a division in the 25th Corps, the only all-black corps in the army. He was transferred to Texas, where the troops performed non-combat services and was promoted the last Union Major General of US Volunteers of the Civil War. After the war, he served briefly as a postal official under President Grant.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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