Special Say What?: Colonel Tom Smyth

[Andy Cardinal]

During the furious firing that took place north of the angle as Pettigrew's North Carolinians approached the stone wall, a shell fragment struck Colonel Tom Smyth in the face. Smyth, commanding a brigade in Alexander Hays's division, was taken to the rear to get the wound dressed, where he was told that he would carry scars from his injury for the rest of his life. "I am willing to sacrifice my nose for the sake of my country," he replied.

Thomas Alfred Smyth was born on December 25, 1832 in Co. Cork, Ireland. He emigrated to the United States in 1854 and settled originally in Philadelphia, where he worked as a carriage maker. The next year, he took part in William Walker's filibuster to Nicaragua. In 1858, Smyth moved to Wilmington, Delaware, got married, and opened his own carriage making business. After serving in the 24th Pennsylvania, a 3 month's regiment, he returned home and helped to raise the 1st Delaware, becoming the regiment's major. He fought at Antietam and Fredericksburg, was promoted to colonel on February 7, 1863, and led the 1st Delaware at Chancellorsville. He was promoted to brigade command prior to Gettysburg.

After Gettysburg, Smyth continued to command a brigade through the Overland Capaign and at Petersburg. One soldier wrote the following of Smyth after Spottsylvania:

"Colonel Smyth was born to command and be respected, and when he takes the lead, his valiant men follow in his footsteps, no matter what impending barriers rise up to impede their progress. He is the man for the times, the man for the dangerous sphere where he is now engaged, not rash, but prudent, and firm as granite in time of danger, and for his strategic movements, he cannot be outflanked by older generals on the field."

Smyth was promoted to Brigadier General on October 1, 1864 and later temporarily commanded Barlow's 2nd Corps division. He led his brigade in pursuit as Lee's army moved west after the fall of Richmond. On April 7, Smyth was ordered to secure the High Bridge, which Lee had ordered burned to put some space and time between his army and the pursuers. Barlow's division reached the scene in time to save the bridge. Smyth led his brigade forward to drive the Confederates away from the vital crossing. While leading his men forward, a bullet went through his mouth. It shattered his cervical vertebra and paralyzed him. He was carried to Burke's Tavern, where he died on April 9. He was the last Union general to be killed during the war.

Burke's Tavern (wikipedia)
​

Sources:

Shiels, The Irish in the American Civil War
Gottfried, Brigades of Gettysburg
"The Battles for High Bridge"

 

[luinrina]

I cannot fathom what his family went through when learning of his death, to know he survived four years of hard fighting only to be mortally wounded this close to the end of the war.

Great post. Thanks for sharing!

 

[Pollaco]

I think I read somewhere that He actually was wounded in the nose at Gettysburg. The tip was shot off by a piece of shrapnel.