Gustavus Woodson Smith

Gustavus Woodson Smith
Gustavus Woodson Smith, photo taken during the Civil War 1861–65
Born	(1821-11-30)November 30, 1821 Georgetown, Kentucky
Died	June 24, 1896(1896-06-24) (aged 74) New York City, New York
Place of burial	Cedar Grove Cemetery, New London, Connecticut
Allegiance	United States of America Confederate States of America
Service/branch	United States Army Confederate States Army
Years of service	1842–1854 (USA) 1861–1863, 1864–1865 (CSA)
Rank	Brevet Captain (USA) Major General (CSA)
Commands held	Army of Northern Virginia
Battles/wars	Mexican-American War Battle of Cerro Gordo Battle of Contreras American Civil War Battle of Seven Pines
Other work	Civil engineer streets commissioner iron manufacturer insurance commissioner author
Signature

Mexican-American War

American Civil War

Gustavus Woodson Smith (November 30, 1821 – June 24, 1896), more commonly known as G.W. Smith, was a career United States Army officer who fought in the Mexican-American War, a civil engineer, and a major general in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. He briefly commanded the Army of Northern Virginia from May 31 until June 1, 1862, following the wounding of General Joseph E. Johnston at the Battle of Seven Pines, and before General Robert E. Lee took command. Smith later served as Interim Confederate Secretary of War and in the Georgia state militia.

Smith was born in Georgetown, Kentucky, and was a brother-in-law of Horace Randal and a distant relative of John Bell Hood. He graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point as a brevet second lieutenant in 1842. Smith finished eighth out of 56 cadets while at West Point. He entered the Army Corps of Engineers afterward, and was promoted to second lieutenant on January 1, 1845.

Smith fought in the Mexican-American War, winning two brevet promotions for his actions there. On April 18, 1847, he was appointed brevet first lieutenant for his service at the Battle of Cerro Gordo, and on August 20, 1847, brevet captain for his service at the Battle of Contreras. In 1848 he became an original member of the Aztec Club of 1847.