{⋆★⋆} MG Smith, William "Extra Billy"

William "Extra Billy" Smith​

Born: September 6, 1797

Birthplace: Marengo, King George County, Virginia

Father: Colonel Caleb Smith 1748 – 1814

Mother: Mary Waugh 1775 -

Wife: Elizabeth Hansbrough Bell 1800 – 1879

(Buried: Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond, Virginia)​

Children:

William Henry Smith 1822 – 1850​

(Buried: Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond, Virginia)​

​

James Caleb Smith 1824 – 1856​

(Buried: Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond, Virginia)​

​

Lt. Colonel Austin E. Smith 1829 – 1862​

(Buried: Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond, Virginia)​

​

Lt. Colonel Peter Bell Smith 1837 – 1865​

(Buried: Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond, Virginia)​

​

Colonel Thomas Smith 1836 – 1918​

(Buried: Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond, Virginia)​

​

Captain Fred Smith​

​

Mary Amelia Smith

Education:

Attended Plainfield Academy in Connecticut​

Occupation before War:

Attorney in Culpeper, Virginia​

​

Established and Owner of a U.S. Mail & Passenger Post Coaches line​

​

1836 – 1841: Virginia State Senator​

​

1841 – 1843: United States Representative from Virginia​

​

1846 – 1849: Governor of Virginia​

​

1850: President of California Democratic Convention​

​

1853 – 1861: United States Representative from Virginia​

Civil War Career:

1861 – 1863: Colonel of 49th​ Virginia Infantry

​

1861: Performed well as a commander at First Battle of Bull Run​

​

1862: Confederate States Representative from Virginia​

​

1862: Wounded during the Battle of Seven Pines​

​

1862: Participated in the Seven Days Campaign​

​

1862: Wounded three times during the Battle of Antietam​

​

1863: Brigadier General of Confederate States Infantry​

​

1863: Participated in the Battle of Chancellorsville, Virginia​

​

1863: Participated in the Battle of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania​

​

1863 – 1864: Major General & Assistant Inspector General in Virginia​

​

1864 – 1865: Governor of Virginia​

Occupation after War:

1865: Arrested by the Union Government​

​

1865: Paroled by the Union Government​

​

Farmer on his estate Monte Rosa, near Warrenton, Virginia​

​

1877 – 1879: Member of Virginia State House of Delegates​

Died: May 18, 1887

Place of Death: Monte Rosa, near Warrenton, Virginia

Cause of Death: Natural Causes

Age at time of Death: 89 years old

Burial Place: Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond, Virginia

 

[John Hartwell]

[Patterson (NJ) Morning Call, March 31, 1887]​

 

[Pollaco]

The nickname "Extra Billy" wasn't because of additional William Smiths but because of some questionable charges made by Him during His mail contracting.

 

[Wallyfish]

Extra Billy's Witness Tree - Gettysburg

 

[nc native]

William Smith was a colorful character. He often wore a tall beaver hat and carried an umbrella in battle rather than a sword and his men were quite fond of him. He was the oldest general to serve the Confederacy and was praised for his coolness under fire by several of his superiors. His performance on the battlefield was not too bad considering he was one of the political generals that West Pointers often had disdain for. He got his nickname Extra Billy from the days when was a postmaster and he was able to find loopholes in government contracts that allowed him to collect extra money for his services. At Gettysburg, his brigade was opposed during the fighting by the brigade of George Greene who happened to be the oldest Union general in uniform at the time.

 

[jvarnell]

Salute!

 

[nc native]

During the march to Gettysburg in 1863, William Smith stopped his brigade in a small town in Pennsylvania and proceeded to address the curious and frightened citizens who were unsure what the intent was of the Confederates that were passing through their town. He was in his best campaign form assuring the citizens that their property and lives were safe and his men would be on their best behavior. He spoke to his audience for quite some time when Jubal Early came riding up with his staff cussing and fussing and wondering why his division had been held up on their march. After seeing what was happening Early allowed him to continue after receiving a promise that Smith would wrap up his speech soon.

 

[Pollaco]

Elected to the First Regular Congress in November 1861, he sat on the committee on Claims and Naval Affairs.

 

[Pollaco]

He soon gained a reputation fpr despising and disliking West Point and it's tatics, finding that neither he nor his men undetstood them and figured common sense was far more useful in battle.

 

[jackt62]

Love that nickname!

 

[rpkennedy]

He was also personally responsible for taking 2 brigades out of potential action on the evening of July 1 when he reported Union troops out the Hanover Road. General Early dispatched John Gordon's Brigade to support Smith, much to the chagrin of all involved (except Smith, of course). Gordon would later write that Smith saw nothing except fences which he mistook for Union columns. Probably unsurprisingly, Smith left the AoNV after the Gettysburg Campaign.

Ryan

 

[Tom Elmore]

Entering York, Pennsylvania in late June 1863, Smith told his aide (his son) to "go back and look up those tooting fellows" as he called the brigade band. The band soon came up, their instruments looking bright, and played - at Smith's request - first Dixie, then Yankee Doodle.

 

[gentlemanrob]

Happy Birthday (September 6th) Week to Governor Major General William "Extra Billy" Smith! Salutes remembering General Smith on his birthday week.

 

[Pollaco]

Before accepting the rank of Col. Of the 49th. Virginia Infantry Regiment, He led the troops from the Virginia militia that had been commanded by John Marr (said to be the first soldier killed in combat)at the Battle of Fairfax Court House on June1, 1861. Smith enjoyed the experience and requested a commisson. He had earlier refused a commission as brigadier because he was "wholly ignorant of drill and tactics".

 

[Pollaco]

William Smith was a colorful character. He often wore a tall beaver hat and carried an umbrella in battle rather than a sword and his men were quite fond of him. He was the oldest general to serve the Confederacy and was praised for his coolness under fire by several of his superiors. His performance on the battlefield was not too bad considering he was one of the political generals that West Pointers often had disdain for. He got his nickname Extra Billy from the days when was a postmaster and he was able to find loopholes in government contracts that allowed him to collect extra money for his services. At Gettysburg, his brigade was opposed during the fighting by the brigade of George Greene who happened to be the oldest Union general in uniform at the time.

Said to be a blue cotton umbrella. Colorful!

 

[VaMtLady]

He was also personally responsible for taking 2 brigades out of potential action on the evening of July 1 when he reported Union troops out the Hanover Road. General Early dispatched John Gordon's Brigade to support Smith, much to the chagrin of all involved (except Smith, of course). Gordon would later write that Smith saw nothing except fences which he mistook for Union columns. Probably unsurprisingly, Smith left the AoNV after the Gettysburg Campaign.

Ryan

There is some question about that conclusion. Some believe that Smith did see some Federal troups.

 

[Luke Freet]

William "Extra Billy" Smith​

View attachment 371760

Born: September 6, 1797

Birthplace: Marengo, King George County, Virginia

Father: Colonel Caleb Smith 1748 – 1814

Mother: Mary Waugh 1775 -

Wife: Elizabeth Hansbrough Bell 1800 – 1879

(Buried: Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond, Virginia)​

Children:

William Henry Smith 1822 – 1850​

(Buried: Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond, Virginia)​

​

James Caleb Smith 1824 – 1856​

(Buried: Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond, Virginia)​

​

Lt. Colonel Austin E. Smith 1829 – 1862​

(Buried: Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond, Virginia)​

​

Lt. Colonel Peter Bell Smith 1837 – 1865​

(Buried: Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond, Virginia)​

​

Colonel Thomas Smith 1836 – 1918​

(Buried: Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond, Virginia)​

​

Captain Fred Smith​

​

Mary Amelia SmithView attachment 371761​

Education:

Attended Plainfield Academy in Connecticut​

Occupation before War:

Attorney in Culpeper, Virginia​

​

Established and Owner of a U.S. Mail & Passenger Post Coaches line​

​

1836 – 1841: Virginia State Senator​

​

1841 – 1843: United States Representative from Virginia​

​

1846 – 1849: Governor of Virginia​

​

1850: President of California Democratic Convention​

​

1853 – 1861: United States Representative from Virginia​

Civil War Career:

1861 – 1863: Colonel of 49th​ Virginia InfantryView attachment 371762​

​

1861: Performed well as a commander at First Battle of Bull Run​

​

1862: Confederate States Representative from Virginia​

​

1862: Wounded during the Battle of Seven Pines​

​

1862: Participated in the Seven Days Campaign​

​

1862: Wounded three times during the Battle of Antietam​

​

1863: Brigadier General of Confederate States Infantry​

​

1863: Participated in the Battle of Chancellorsville, Virginia​

​

1863: Participated in the Battle of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania​

​

1863 – 1864: Major General & Assistant Inspector General in Virginia​

​

1864 – 1865: Governor of Virginia​

Occupation after War:View attachment 371763

1865: Arrested by the Union Government​

​

1865: Paroled by the Union Government​

​

Farmer on his estate Monte Rosa, near Warrenton, Virginia​

​

1877 – 1879: Member of Virginia State House of Delegates​

Died: May 18, 1887

Place of Death: Monte Rosa, near Warrenton, Virginia

Cause of Death: Natural Causes

Age at time of Death: 89 years old

Burial Place: Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond, Virginia

View attachment 371764​

I'm looking up his children, I could only find entries of Findagrave for Colonel Thomas Smith and Captain Frederick Waugh Smith. The latter was born 19th January 1843 and died in South Africa 6th July 1928.
I've found a digital database detailing his time in the war, as part of the VMI Class of 1863:
"
Smith Frederick Waugh, Class of 1863:
Born- January 19, 1843.
Matriculated from Warrenton, Va.
At VMI 1 year.
Military Record: "A sort of freelancer," according to one source. Son of CS Maj Gen and Va governor W. Smith. Unofficial source says sought appointment to US Military Academy just prior to war. Enlisted in 49th Va (unofficial source says in 1961) as Private. May-June 1862 roll shows as Sgt Maj. Sought appointment as Cadet, CSA 1861 and 1864. Wounded in action at Fredericksburg. Appointed 1st Lt, Aide-de-camp July 29, 1863 (date of rank May 2) on staff of Brig Gen (later Maj Gen) W. Smith. Appointed Cadet, CSA May 1864 and assigned to staff of Brig Gen G.C. Wharton as Aide-de-camp and Acting Assistant Adjutant General. Later on staff of Brig Gen J. McCausland. On March 10, 1865 requested transfer to Col J.S. Mosby's Regiment Va Cavalry (43rd Battalion Va Cavalry), possibly because he did not want to undergo the cadet's required examination by board of officers. On March 13, 1865 ordered to report to Mosby for duty as supernumery company officer.
Post War Career: Went to Cape Hope (now South Africa) after war.
Died- July 6, 1928 in Cape Town. Buried Woltermade Cemetery, Cape Town, South Africa. "
https://archivesweb.vmi.edu/rosters/record.php?ID=1427
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/22665490/frederick-waugh-smith

Aside from him and Colonel Thomas Smith (whom I know all too well from my readings on the Valley Campaigns of '64), I have not found information on his other children, particularly the two sons who both became Lt. Colonels and died during the conflict, it seems.

 

[Copperhead-mi]

The fight mentioned in the article in @John Hartwell 's post #2 took place while "Extra Billy" was a member of the House of Representatives. The Evening Star editor, William Wallach had printed an article that Smith was a "Know Nothing" which infuriated him. The two confronted each other and eventually moved from I believe, the House chamber and fought out on the sidewalk in front. It was reported that one of Wallach's fingers had been "catawompously chawed" by Smith. Catching wind of the fight, the British Foreign Minister, Sir John Crampton warned the people back home that no foreign minister should ever go down to the House floor because the congressmen were too dangerous.

 

[rpkennedy]

The fight mentioned in the article in @John Hartwell 's post #2 took place while "Extra Billy" was a member of the House of Representatives. The Evening Star editor, William Wallach had printed an article that Smith was a "Know Nothing" which infuriated him. The two confronted each other and eventually moved from I believe, the House chamber and fought out on the sidewalk in front. It was reported that one of Wallach's fingers had been "catawompously chawed" by Smith. Catching wind of the fight, the British Foreign Minister, Sir John Crampton warned the people back home that no foreign minister should ever go down to the House floor because the congressmen were too dangerous.

He definitely was not wrong.

Ryan

 

[USS ALASKA]

Journal Article
William "Extra Billy" Smith, Governor of Virginia 1864-1865: A Pillar of the Confederacy
Alvin A. Fahrner
The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography
Vol. 74, No. 1, Part One (Jan., 1966), pp. 68-87
Virginia Historical Society

https://www.jstor.org/stable/4247180

Full article on JSTOR with Google sign-in (In the upper right-hand corner of the linked page, there is a 'Log in' button. If you have a Gmail account, you have a Google sign-in and this will allow for free reading of 100 articles a month).

Cheers,
USS ALASKA