Thomas A. Smyth
| Thomas Alfred Smyth | |
|---|---|
Thomas Alfred Smyth during the American Civil War
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| Born |
December 25, 1832 County Cork, Ireland |
| Died | April 9, 1865 (aged 32) Farmville, Virginia |
| Place of burial | Brandywine Cemetery, Wilmington, Delaware |
| Allegiance |
United States of America Union |
| Service/branch |
United States Army Union Army |
| Years of service | 1861–1865 |
| Rank |
 Brigadier General Brevet Major General (posthumous) |
| Commands held |
1st Delaware Volunteer Infantry Regiment 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, II Corps 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, II Corps 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, II Corps 2nd Division, II Corps Irish Brigade Gibraltar Brigade |
| Battles/wars |
American Civil War - Battle of Fredericksburg - Battle of Chancellorsville - Battle of Gettysburg - Siege of Petersburg |
Thomas Alfred Smyth (December 25, 1832 – April 9, 1865) was a brigadier general in the Union Army during the American Civil War. He was the last Union general killed in the war. In March 1867, he was nominated and confirmed a brevet major general of volunteers posthumously to rank from April 7, 1865.
Smyth was born in Ballyhooly in Cork County, Ireland, and worked on his father's farm as a youth. He emigrated to the United States in 1854, settling in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He participated in William Walker's expedition to Nicaragua. Smyth was employed as a wood carver and coach & carriage maker. In 1858, he moved to Wilmington, Delaware.
He enlisted in 1861 in the Union army in an Irish-American three-months regiment, the 24th Pennsylvania, and quickly made a captain. He was later commissioned as major of the 1st Delaware Infantry, a three-years regiment. He served at the battles of Fredericksburg (following which he was promoted to lieutenant colonel and then to colonel) and Chancellorsville. During the Gettysburg Campaign, he commanded the 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division of the II Corps. During the Battle of Gettysburg, his men helped defend Cemetery Ridge and advanced to the area of the Bliss farm to oust enemy sharpshooters. Smyth was wounded on the third day of the battle and relinquished command briefly.
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