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Alexander Smyth

Alexander Smyth
1812 Alexander Smyth.jpg
Portrait of Alexander Smyth
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Virginia's 22nd district
In office
March 4, 1827 – April 17, 1830
Preceded by Benjamin Estil
Succeeded by Joseph Draper
In office
March 4, 1823 – March 3, 1825
Preceded by Hugh Nelson
Succeeded by Benjamin Estil
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Virginia's 6th district
In office
March 4, 1817 – March 3, 1823
Preceded by Daniel Sheffey
Succeeded by George Tucker
Member of the Virginia House of Delegates from Wythe County
In office
1826
Alongside Montgomery Friel
In office
1816
Alongside Jacob Fishback
In office
1804–1807
Alongside Joseph Crockett and Samuel Graham
In office
1801
Alongside Daniel Sheffey
In office
1796
Alongside Francis Carter
In office
1792
Alongside William Caffee
Personal details
Born 1765
Island of Rathlin, Kingdom of Ireland
Died April 17, 1830 (aged 64–65)
Washington, D.C.
Resting place Congressional Cemetery, Washington, D.C.
Political party Jacksonian
Other political
affiliations
Democratic-Republican
Occupation Lawyer, politician
Military service
Service/branch United States Army
Years of service 1808 – 1813
Rank Brigadier General
Commands Regiment of Riflemen
Battles/wars War of 1812
*Battle of Queenston Heights
*Battle of Frenchman's Creek

Alexander Smyth (1765 – April 17, 1830) was an American lawyer, soldier, and politician from Virginia. Smyth served in the Virginia Senate, Virginia House of Delegates, United States House of Representatives and as a general during the War of 1812. Smyth County, Virginia is named in his honor.

Smyth was born on the Island of Rathlin, Ireland. He immigrated to the United States and settled in Botetourt County, Virginia in 1775 where he completed preparatory studies. He studied law, and was admitted to the bar and commenced practice in Abingdon, Virginia.

Smyth moved to Wythe County, Virginia, and was a member of the Virginia House of Delegates in 1792, 1796, 1801, 1802, and from 1804 to 1808. He served in the Virginia Senate in 1808 and 1809.

Smyth served in the United States Army from 1808 to 1813. Commissioned as a colonel in 1808, he served as Inspector General to William Eustis, the acting War Secretary.

Shortly after the outbreak of the War of 1812, Smyth was promoted to brigadier general on July 6, 1812. During the Battle of Queenston Heights he refused to support his commander, General Stephen Van Rensselaer, a militia commander with no experience. After Van Rensselaer's disgrace, Smyth was given command and proved himself equally inept. His plan to invade Canada started with the Battle of Frenchman's Creek but was then abandoned because of problems due to poor organization.


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