Persifor Frazer Smith | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 6th Military Governor of California | |
| In office February 28, 1849 – April 12, 1849 | |
| Preceded by | Richard Barnes Mason |
| Succeeded by | Bennet C. Riley |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 16, 1798 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | May 17, 1858 (aged 59) Leavenworth, Kansas, U.S. |
| Resting place | Laurel Hill Cemetery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Spouses | Frances Jeanette Bureau
(m. 1822; died 1852)Anne Monica Millard Armstrong
(m. 1854) |
| Children | Howard Smith (first marriage) |
| Profession | Soldier |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Branch/service |  United States Army |
| Years of service | 1836–1838 1846–1858 |
| Rank |  Brigadier General Bvt. Major General |
| Commands | U.S. Regiment of Mounted Riflemen P.F. Smith's Brigade Pacific Division Department of Texas Department of the West |
| Battles/wars | |
Persifor Frazer Smith (November 16, 1798 – May 17, 1858) was an American military officer. He served as an officer in the Louisiana State militia and as Louisiana State adjutant general. He led two regiments of Louisiana and Pennsylvania volunteers during the Second Seminole War. He served as a colonel in the United States Army during the Mexican–American War, was brevetted to major general, and became known as the "hero of Contreras". He commanded the Pacific Division from 1848 to 1849 including as the 6th Military governor of California from February to April 1849. He commanded the Department of Texas from 1850 to 1856 and the Department of the West from 1856 to 1858 during the Bleeding Kansas conflict. In 1858, he was appointed commander of the Department of Utah with orders to quell the Mormon Rebellion, but died at Fort Leavenworth before he could take command.