Memoirs of Governor William Smith, of Virginia. His Political, Military, and Personal History
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Library of Congress Memoirs of governor William Smith, of Virginia. His political, military, and personal history. By John W. Bell. ? P Aft GOVERNOR SMITH. AGE 50 YEARS. WHEN GOVERNOR FIRST TERM. AUTOGRAPH AT 50. DEDICATION TO THE PEOPLE OF VIRGINIA, Whose sublime devotion to Government—Constitutional and Republican—was stimulated and illustrated by the unceasing and heroic exertions of the subject of these Memoirs, for full half a century, by precept and example; whose love and admiration for him through all his stormy contests on the Hustings, in the Cabinet and on the Field, was not surpassed by the depth of his political convictions, and his patriotism and love for the American Republic, These pages are dedicated by The Author. LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 1. William Smith, aged fifty (50); when Governor first term. With autograph. Frontispiece. 2. Governor Smith's Residence, at Warrenton, Virginia. 3. Barn and Farm Yard, at Governor Smith's Residence. 4. Diagram of Grounds at Fairfax Fight. 5. Executive Mansion, at Richmond, Virginia. Memoirs of governor William Smith, of Virginia. His political, military, and personal history. By John W. Bell. http://www.loc.gov/resource/ lhbcb.15643 Library of Congress 6. Mrs. E. H. Smith; age, eighty. 7. Governor Smith, when Governor second term; age, sixty-seven. 8. Florida and Virginia Flags.—Scene at Battle of Seven Pines. 9. Ex-Governor Smith, of Virginia, with autograph; age, ninety. 10. Rules of Debate—autographic, p. 73. 11. Bust of Ex-Governor Smith; age, ninety. 12. Tombs of Governor Smith, wife and sons at Hollywood, Richmond. 13. Memorial Cottage, at the Soldiers' Home, Richmond. TABLE OF CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. GENEALOGY AND EARLY LIFE. The Doniphans (A. W. and John)— Their Ancestors, Commanded Spanish Troops—Fled to Scotland—One Son Settled at Jamestown—Grants of Land from Charles II.—Fought in the Revolution in John Marshall's Company—Father of A. W. Doniphan, at Yorktown—Justice of the Peace at Alexandria —Judgments in Favor of Gen. Washington—Wm. Smith's Birth—Col. Caleb Smith— His Sons and Daughters—William's School Days in Connecticut—Return to Virginia—At School at Nelson's—Studied Law—Success as Lawyer—Marriage Pages 1–6. CHAPTER II. Contracts with the United States Government—Pioneer of the South— Country Improved—His Stage and Boat Lines—Great Competition—Free Passage and a Bottle of Wine—Brocks Virginians Pages 6–8. CHAPTER III. Mr. Smith's Initiation into Political Life—His Political Principles—His Admiration of Jefferson and Madison—First Election to the Legislature of Virginia— Memoirs of governor William Smith, of Virginia. His political, military, and personal history. By John W. Bell. http://www.loc.gov/resource/ lhbcb.15643 Library of Congress Election of United States Senator—W. C. Rives—The Conservative, Whig and Democratic Parties—Mr. Rives a Candidate for U. S. Senator—Mr. Smith's Determined Opposition to Him—The Reason Why—Senator Smith's Speech against Him—Distinguished Whigs of that Day Pages 8–12. CHAPTER IV. Mr. Smith's Second Term in the Senate—Without Opposition—His Resignation—Presidential Election—Mr. Rives Again—His Discussion with Mr. Smith— The “Hard Cider Campaign”—Henry Wilson's Log Cabin—Mr. Smith's Great Discussion with Governor Barbour at Staunton, Va. Pages 12–14. CHAPTER V. Vacancy in Congress—Col. Banks Becomes a Candidate—Mr. Smith Urged to Run—Declines—His Letter on the Subject—The People Determined to Nominate Him —Elected to Congress—His Course in Congress—Speeches on the Tariff—“Attalus” Congressional District Re-arranged—Extract from his Letter to Col. Parker Pages 15–18. CHAPTER VI. Mr. Smith Neutral between Mr. Calhoun and President Van Buren— Appointed Democratic State Elector—Hon. R. E. Scott Whig Elector—Traversed the State as Democratic Elector—Mr. Rives once More—Discussion at Culpeper with Mr. Smith. Pages 18–21. CHAPTER VII. Mr. Smith's Election of Governor of Virginia for Three Years by the Legislature—His Nomination for the Senate of the United States—His Defeat by a Combination of the Whigs and Conservatives—Extracts from His Letter to Col. Parker as to His Election of Governor—His Administration as Governor—His Visit to and Sojourn in California Pages 21–24. vi CHAPTER VIII. Gov. Smith's Return from California—His Candidacy for Congress—The Failure of a Convention to Nominate a Candidate against Him—A Triangular Contest— His Election to Congress over a Democrat and a Whig—His Election to Congress in 1853, Memoirs of governor William Smith, of Virginia. His political, military, and personal history. By John W. Bell. http://www.loc.gov/resource/ lhbcb.15643 Library of Congress 1855, 1857 and 1859—His Visit to Washington in the Winter of 1860–'61—Procured three Maynard Rifles—Brought two out of the City with the aid of a Lady's Dress Pages 24–28. CHAPTER IX. The Ex-Governor's Visit to Fairfax Court House—The Surprise by the Federals and Fight on the Night of the 31st of May, '61—Company B United States Dragoons—Capt. Marr's Company—Marr Killed—Col. Ewell Wounded and Turned over the Command to Smith—The Enemy Routed—Gov. Smith Raised a Regiment—Was Commissioned Colonel by Gov. Letcher—First Battle of Manassas—His Gallant Conduct there—Singular Order by Col. Smith to the 49th Virginia—Major Smith Severely Wounded —Col. Smith's Horse Shot Under Him—His Humane Treatment of a Federal Officer Pages 28–37. CHAPTER X. Col. Smith's Report of date July, 1862, of the Battle of Seven Pines of 25th June, 1862, to Gen. Mahone—Extracts from Gen. Mahone's Report Relative to 49th Virginia Volunteers, and Col. Smith, at Battle of Seven Pines—Extracts from his Report of June 30th, 1862—Gen. D. H. Hill's Report of Battle of Seven Pines of 31st May, 1862, as to Conduct of 49th Virginia—Gen. Huger's Report of July 21st, 1862, as to same—Inscription on its Banner for Distinguished Gallantry in a Fight at “Kings School House,” Seven Pines and at French's Field—Col. Smith's Report to Col. B. G. Anderson, Commanding Brigade of same fight of 31st May, 1862—Extract from Report of Col. Anderson, Commanding Gen. Featherstone's Brigade—A Florida Flag Found in the Brush —Col. Smith Bears it at the Head of his own Regiment—Ordered by Commanding Officers to give it up—Seized by a Florida boy who bravely bears it through the fight—The Colonel and Lieut.-Colonel Severely Wounded—Three Captains and six Lieutenants Wounded, and one Killed—Col. Smith's Horse Fatally Shot Under him—Extract from Dr. Horseley's Letter to Col. Smith Pages 37–44. CHAPTER XI. Col. Smith's Election to the Congress of the Confederate States—Took his Seat in Congress, February, 1862—Gen. Johnston falls back from Manassas, 9th March, 1862, to Clark's Mountain—Thither moved his Army to Yorktown—49th in charge of Lieut.- Memoirs of governor William Smith, of Virginia. His political, military, and personal history. By John W. Bell. http://www.loc.gov/resource/ lhbcb.15643 Library of Congress Col. Murray—Congress adjourned—Col. Smith rejoins his Regiment at Yorktown and took command—Elected Colonel by the Officers of the Companies, under Act of Congress— Resigned his Seat in Congress—Evacuation of York-town—The Seven Pines again—The Colonel's Celebrated Order to “Flush the Game.” Pages 44–46 CHAPTER XII. Battle of Sharpsburg—Col. Smith Assigned to the Command of Early's Brigade temporarily, by Gen. Early—Receives three Wounds in one Volley—Promoted Brigadier-General, and Assigned to Command of Fourth Brigade—Casualties in this Fight in the 49th Virginia—Gen. J. E. B. Stuart and Gen. Early's Reports of Col. Smith's Conduct in this Fight—Candidate for Governor—Made no Canvass—Did not leave his Brigade —Elected by a Large Majority—Retained Command of his Brigade in the Gettysburg Campaign—Promoted to Major-General—Agreed to Qualify as Governor—Entered the Recruiting Service—Inaugurated Governor on the first day of January, 1864—Delivered his Inaugural in the Hall of the House of Delegates Pages 47–55. vii CHAPTER XIII. Governor Smith's Administration of the State Government—His Bold and Energetic Executive Measures—Creation of the Home Guard—History of this Extraordinary Measure—Suspected Mutiny among the Troops—His Visit and Address to them—His Firm and Decisive Action on this Occasion—Effect upon them—Asks for an Appropriation to Purchase Supplies for Army and People of the City and Country— Bill Fails—Organized a Plan Despite its Failure, to Furnish them—Raised Large Sums of Money to Purchase Supplies—Organized and Procured a Railroad Train to Transport them to Richmond—Signal Success of the Plan—Reduced Prices for Necessaries of Life —Loaned Liberally to the Confederate Government in 1864—Great Relief to the People of the City and Country Pages 55–59. CHAPTER XIV. The Eventful Sabbath Day in Richmond—President Davis in Church— Dispatch from General Lee—The President Sends for Governor Smith—The President and Governor Leave the City—Mrs. Smith's Demeanor—The President Opens the Memoirs of governor William Smith, of Virginia. His political, military, and personal history. By John W. Bell. http://www.loc.gov/resource/ lhbcb.15643 Library of Congress Confederate Government at Danville, Va.—The Governor Opens the Slate Government there, also—The President Proceeds to Greensboro, N. C.—Trying Scenes at Danville —Governor's Speech to the Troops—Its Effect on Them—Outbreak Suppressed— Guerilla Policy Adandoned—Peace Resolutions at Staunton—He Determines to Surrender Himself—$25,000 Offered for his Arrest—The Governor Leaves the Valley—Entreated not to Return to Richmond—His Sojourn at Charles W.