Charles Ferguson Smith | |
---|---|
Born |
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
April 24, 1807
Died | April 25, 1862 Savannah, Tennessee |
(aged 55)
Place of burial | Laurel Hill Cemetery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
Allegiance |
United States of America Union |
Service/branch |
United States Army Union Army |
Years of service | 1825–1862 |
Rank | Major General |
Commands held | Department of Utah 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment 2nd Division, AotT Army of the Tennessee |
Battles/wars | |
Other work | Commandant of Cadets |
Charles Ferguson Smith (April 24, 1807 – April 25, 1862) was a career United States Army officer who served in the Mexican-American War and as a Union General in the American Civil War.
Charles Ferguson Smith was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the son of Samuel Blair Smith, an army surgeon and a grandson of the celebrated Presbyterian minister Rev. John Blair Smith. He graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1825, and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the 2nd U.S. Artillery. As he rose slowly through the ranks of the peacetime army, he returned to West Point as an instructor and was appointed Commandant of Cadets as a first lieutenant, serving in that position from 1838 to 1843.
As an artillery battalion commander he distinguished himself in the Mexican-American War, serving under both Zachary Taylor and Winfield Scott, at Palo Alto, Resaca de la Palma, Monterrey, and Churubusco. He received brevet promotions from major through colonel for his service in these battles and ended the war as a lieutenant colonel in the Regular Army. In Mexico City, he was in charge of the police guard from the end of the war until 1848. During this time he became an original member of the Aztec Club of 1847.