William Farrar Smith

William Farrar Smith
William Farrar "Baldy" Smith
Born(1824-02-17)February 17, 1824
St. Albans, Vermont, US
DiedFebruary 28, 1903(1903-02-28) (aged 79)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
Place of burial
Allegiance United States (Union)
Service / branchUnited States Army
Union Army
Years of service1845–1867
Rank Major General
CommandsVI Corps
IX Corps
XVIII Corps
Battles / warsAmerican Civil War

Gettysburg Campaign

Chattanooga Campaign

Overland Campaign

Signature

William Farrar Smith (February 17, 1824 – February 28, 1903), known as "Baldy" Smith, was a Union general in the American Civil War, notable for attracting the extremes of glory and blame. He was praised for his gallantry in the Seven Days Battles and the Battle of Antietam, but was demoted for professional and political reasons after the disastrous defeat at the Battle of Fredericksburg. As chief engineer of the Army of the Cumberland, he achieved recognition by restoring a supply line that saved that army from starvation and surrender, known as the "Cracker Line", that helped Union troops to success in the Chattanooga Campaign in the autumn of 1863. Leading the first operation against Petersburg, Smith's caution, possibly illness-related, may have cost the Union a prime opportunity for a quick end to the war. He was relieved of command shortly thereafter.[1]

  1. ^ Siciliano, Stephen Nicholas. William "Baldy" Smith: Engineer, Critic and Union Civil War General. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company, Inc., 2022. ISBN 978-1-4766-8613-4