From West Point to Fort Donelson; General Charles Ferguson Smith was a soldier's soldier. He served at the U.S. Military Academy from 1829 to 1842 as Instructor of Tactics; Adjutant to the Superintendent and Commandant of Cadets. During his 42-year career he was a teacher; mentor and role model for many cadets who became prominent Civil War generals; and he was admired by such former students as Grant; Halleck; Longstreet and Sherman. Smith set an example for junior officers in the Mexican War; leading his light battalion to victories and earning three field promotions. He served with Albert Sidney Johnston and other future Confederate officers in the Mormon War. He mentored Grant while serving with him during the Civil War; and helped turn the tide at Fort Donelson; which led to Grant's rise to fame. He attained the rank of major general; while refusing political favors and ignoring the press. Drawing on never before published letters and journals; this long overdue biography reveals Smith as a faithful officer; excellent disciplinarian; able commander and modest gentleman.
#2881171 in Books 2013-11-07Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.90 x 1.00 x 7.00l; .90 #File Name: 078647310X232 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A wonderful book. It helped me locate important information to ...By Charles W. WalthallA wonderful book. It helped me locate important information to help locate the additional research to identify the location of Gen. Holmes son Theo's death at Ashland VA on June 1; 1864. Theo was 19 years old.1 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Long OverdueBy Wilbur H. Harkey150 years in the making! Finally a biography of Theophilus Hunter Holmes; an American warrior and North Carolina Confederate general. While other Confederate generals from North Carolina found their biographers over the years; Holmes' story remained unwritten until Walter C. Hilderman III took on the task.Utilizing primary source materials Hilderman brings the exciting story of this soldier to life. Hilderman follows Holmes through his priviliged life as the son of a North Carolina governor to his cadet days on the Hudson River at the United States Military Academy and through his career as a United States military officer on America's frontier during the "Trail of Tears" Indian removal and his service in the Second Seminole War and the US-Mexican War.After organizing the naval expedition sent to relieve Fort Sumter; Holmes resigned to serve North Carolina. Holmes led a Confederate brigade at First Manassas;and a division during the Peninsula campaign. He commanded armies in the Trans-Mississippi and organized the youth and old men of North Carolina into the Confederate Reserves. After the war Holmes elected to lead a quiet and retiring life and just fade away like many old soldiers of his generation.In spite of having served with notable historic figures like Zachary Taylor; Winfield Scott; Robert E. Lee and Jefferson Davis; Holmes remained obscured to modern historians. Hilderman has done an excellent job in penning this biography which has been long overdue.0 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Three StarsBy Gerald J BrozThe information was very interesting about a unknown CSA General
