Browsing named entities in Harper's Encyclopedia of United States History (ed. Benson Lossing). You can also browse the collection for William Farrar Smith or search for William Farrar Smith in all documents.

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Harper's Encyclopedia of United States History (ed. Benson Lossing), Army. (search)
tant dismissal or relief from duty of several of the generals of the Army of the Potomac, whom he charged with fomenting discontent in the army. Generals Hooker, Brooks, and Newton were designated for instant dismissal; and Generals Franklin, W. F. Smith, Cochran, and Ferrero, and Lieut.-Col. J. H. Taylor were to be relieved from duty in that army. Generals Franklin and Smith had written a joint letter to the President (Dec. 21) expressing their opinion that Burnside's plan of operations coulpared to make a vigorous movement against Richmond from the south, while Grant moved from the north. Butler's effective force was about 40,000 men when he was ordered to advance. It was composed chiefly of the 18th Army Corps, commanded by Gen. W. F. Smith, and the 10th Corps, under Gen. Q. A. Gillmore, who arrived at Fort Monroe May 3. Butler successfully deceived the Confederates as to his real intentions by making a demonstration towards Richmond by way of the York River and the Peninsula,
Harper's Encyclopedia of United States History (ed. Benson Lossing), Ayres, Romeyn Beck, 1825-1888 (search)
Ayres, Romeyn Beck, 1825-1888 Military officer; born in East Creek, N. Y., Dec. 20, 1825; was graduated at West Point in 1847. He served in the artillery in the war with Mexico, and commanded a battery in the battle of Bull Run. In October, 1861, he became chief of artillery of Gen. W. F. Smith's division, and soon afterwards of the 6th Corps. He was in the campaign on the Peninsula, and the chief battles afterwards in Virginia and Maryland. He served with distinction through the Richmond campaign of 1864-605; was brevetted major-general of volunteers in March, 1865; promoted to colonel of the 3d Artillery. July 18, 1879; and died in Fort Hamilton, N. Y., Dec. 4, 1888.
Harper's Encyclopedia of United States History (ed. Benson Lossing), Cold Harbor, battle of (search)
Cold Harbor, battle of In 1862 the Army of the Potomac and a large part of the Army of the James formed a junction near Cold Harbor, a locality in Hanover county, Va., originally known as Cool Arbor, and the old battle-ground of McClellan and Lee the year before. Gen. W. F. Smith and 16,000 men of the Army of the James had been taken in transports from Bermuda Hundred around to the White House, whence they had marched towards the Chickahominy. Sheridan had seized the point at Cold Harbor, and the Nationals took a position extending from beyond the Hanover road to Elder Swamp Creek, not far from the Chickahominy. Burnside's corps composed the right of the line, Warren's and Wright's the centre, and Hancock's the left. The Confederate line, reinforced by troops under Breckinridge, occupied a line in front of the Nationals-Ewell's corps on the left, Longstreet's in the centre, and A. P. Hill's on the right. On the morning of June 1, 1862, Hoke's division attempted to retake Cold
Harper's Encyclopedia of United States History (ed. Benson Lossing), Richmond, campaign against (search)
Chickahominy. There was much skirmishing, and Grant was satisfied that he would be compelled to force the passage of the Governor Smith leaving the City. Chickahominy on Lee's flank, and he prepared for that movement by sending Sheridan to seize a point near Cold Harbor, where roads leading into Richmond diverged. After a fight with Fitzhugh Lee's cavalry, it was secured, and on the same night (May 30) Wright's corps pressed forward to the same point. A large body of troops, under Gen. W. F. Smith, called from the Army of the James, were approaching Cold Harbor at the same time. These took position on Wright's right wing. There a terrible battle occurred (June 1), in which both armies suffered immense loss. It was now perceived that the fortifications around Richmond were too formidable to warrant a direct attack upon them with a hope of success, so Grant proceeded to throw his army across to the south side of the James River, and to operate against the Confederate capital on
Harper's Encyclopedia of United States History (ed. Benson Lossing), Smith, William Farrar 1824- (search)
Smith, William Farrar 1824- Military officer; born in St. Albans, Vt., Feb. 17, 1824; graduated at West Point in 1845, entering the corps of topographical engineers. He was engaged in several important military surveys before the Civil War. When that began he was secretary of the light-house board at Washington. He became a brigadier-general of volunteers in August, 1861, having done good service in the battle of Bull Run the previous month. In the Peninsular campaign he was particularly distinguished, and was promoted to major-general (July, 1862). He commanded a division in Franklin's corps, and was in the battles of South Mountain and Antietam. He commanded the 6th Corps at Fredericksburg (December, 1862) ; was chief engineer of the Army of the Cumberland late in 1863; was active in operations about Chattanooga late in that year; and from May to July, 1864, commanded the 18th Corps, Army of the Potomac. He was brevetted major-general for gallant and meritorious services d