Obituary for Captain William T. Smith, Montgomery County, Virginia http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/montgomery/obits/wtsmith.txt ==================================================================== USGENWEB PROJECT NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Project Archives to store this file permanently for free access. This file was contributed by: Judy Penrod Purcell ==================================================================== August 2001 Obituary from CONFEDERATE VETERAN, Vol. XVIII, No. 10, August 1910 Obituary: CAPT. WILLIAM T. SMITH Capt. "Billy" Smith, of Montgomery County, VA., whose death occurred suddenly at his home, the Meadows, February 7, 1910, was a prominent and popular farmer and one of the most gallant officers of the Confederate army. His father, William T. Smith, Sr., was high sheriff of Montgomery County when the war broke out, and his son was his deputy. Resigning his commission, "Billy" Smith, Jr., volunteered as a private, but was soon made captain of Company F, 14th Virginia Cavalry, under General McCausland. For gallant service he was promoted later to colonel, receiving his commission shortly before the surrender. He was twice wounded, but each time hastened back to his command as early as practicable, and served till the close of the war. Captain Smith had charge of all the cavalry at General Jackson's funeral, and gave the command for the salute fired across the great general's grave. He is said to have been in action more than a hundred times, and his company was ever at or close to the front. His men often said that if Captain Smith, Captain Bouldin, and Lieutenant Teamster were the field officers of the 14th Regiment there would not have been a member left alive. Captain Smith had three horses shot under him at Droop's Mountain, where he received an ugly wound. Another severe wound was received in September, 1864, shortly after the diaster at Winchester. A stampede seemed almost inevitable, and Captain Smith, foreseeing a crisis, without waiting for orders, hastened to the aid of Lieutenant Teamster. He was accompanied by a mutual friend, and the three, wounded by a heavy volley from the same guns, were borne from the field together, each believing his comrade's wounds fatal; yet all recovered. Captain Smith led his men in a hopeless charge at Appomattox on the morning of April 9, 1865, after General Lee had surrendered. He, could not brook surrender, and with Lieutenant Teamster he made his way through the enemy's lines and returned to Montgomery County. Colonel Moffett, of Augusta County, wrote a few years ago to Captain Bouldin, of Danville, the following account of the incident: "Captain Smith, who had been in command of the picket lines the night before, advanced to the front of Lee's army, saying to me: 'Moffett, they say ye have surrendered; but I am not going to surrender.' Just then General Lee rode up and Captain Smith accosted him: 'General, what is the matter? I'm not going to surrender. Can't I leave here?' General Lee replied: 'I have surrendered this army, and cannot give you permission to leave. And Captain, you ought not to leave. Stay with the rest of us.' Captain Smith replied: 'I'm going to get out of here, or die trying.'" Captain Smith was ardently loved by his men, and was accounted the handsomest man in the regiment. He always rode a fiery horse, and was accompanied to the war by his body servant, "Jack," who never left "Mars Billy" from the day he was born till he followed his lifeless form to the grave, driving "Mars Billy's" old sorrel at the head of the long funeral procession. Captain Smith never believed in negro slavery, and when the war broke out gave Jack his freedom; but the negro has remained true to his white folks through all these years. "Mars Billy" was his idol, and so completely did he imitate his voice that members of the family often mistook one for the other. Lieutenant Teamster, his inseparable companion throughout the war, in writing of Captain Smith mentions, among other things, his chivalry at the burning of Chambersburg, Pa., in carrying out armsfuls of goods from a millinery establishment and helping to put it in a place of safety. He was indeed a noble man and the soul of honor. He was courageous under the most trying circumstances, never flinching nor fearing to go where duty called. Maj. J. Coleman Alderson says of him: "There never lived a better or braver officer than Captain Smith. He came near losing his life trying to save the life of Lieutenant Teamster." McCausland often said: "Captain Smith was one of the best officers in his brigade. He was always ready to perform any duty, however hazardous." Captain Smith was a descendent of Byrd Smith, a pioneer settler of Montgomery County. The family was prominent in the public affairs of the county. His father was Captain William T. Smith, of Christianburg, and his mother was Malvina Zoll Smith. His birth occurred at Christiansburg January 17, 1840; so he had lived threescore and ten years. The year following the surrender Captain Smith was united in marriage with Miss Nicketti Harvey, of another prominent family. Captain Smith and his bride were accounted the handsomest couple in the county. They settled near Auburn, where he engaged in the export cattle business and farming till the time of his death. In their home, The Meadows, eleven children were reared. Captain Smith's death was a great shock. On the day before his death he was in excellent spirits, and enlivened dinner by a continual flow of wit and humor. He had a stock of anecdotes that never failed to amuse with exquisite poetic quotations. He could quote more Scripture than most preachers. His death brought sorrow to many hearts, and his funeral was attended by the largest crowd ever assembled in that section, despite inclement weather. The funeral services were conducted from his home by Rev. L.W. Irwin, of the Presbyterian Church, who was his pastor for many years, and made the journey from Princeton, W.Va., to pay the last sad rites. He was assisted by Rev. E.E. Lane, of Christiansburg, and Rev. Mr. Kiester and Rev. Mr. Umbarger, of Riner. In the great throng were numbers of veterans who joined in the singing of the hymn, "Let Us Pass Over the River," in a touching manner. Captain Smith was a member of the Hamilton Wade Camp, U.C.V., and had marched with the old fellows behind many a loved comrade, attending funerals far and near, regardless of weather. He is survived by his invalid widow and eight children, all of whom were present at his funeral. From sketch by Julia Wyatt Hoffman.