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Smith, Gustavus W. (1821-1896) [Nine letters (from letterbook) written by General Gustavus Woodson Smith]

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC05469 Author/Creator: Smith, Gustavus W. (1821-1896) Place Written: Richmond, Virginia Type: Letterbook Date: 21 November 1862- 2 December 1862 Pagination: 10 p. ; 27.5 x 18.4 cm. Order a Copy

Written while Smith was commander of defenses at Richmond (expanded to become the Department of Virginia and North Carolina). Contains a dispatch from Smith to the officer in command of Fredericksburg, Virginia dated 21 November 1862, stating that the Mayor of Fredericksburg telegraphed Smith the news that Fredericksburg is to be shelled the following day. Smith asks if he should send cars for the removal of women and children. Contains a letter from Smith to General William H. C. Whiting at Wilmington, North Carolina (21 November), assuring Whiting that everything practicable will be done to increase Whiting's defenses, and encouraging Whiting to coordinate with General Samuel French, also in North Carolina. Includes a letter in which Smith informs General Robert E. Lee that enemy forces plan to "strike determined blows South of the James river" (26 November 1862). Contains a letter to General French (29 November), and another to Whiting (29 November) in which Smith states he will not be able to obtain men or guns from Lee. Includes two letters to Lee (both 2 December): one discusses Captain Beckham, the other military passes. Mentions Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War for the Union. These letters were removed from a letterbook.

Smith served as Confederate Secretary of War (ad interim) 17-21 November 1862.

Smith, Gustavus Woodson, 1821-1896
Whiting, William Henry Chase, 1824-1865
French, Samuel Gibbs, 1818-1910
Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870
Stanton, Edwin M. (Edwin McMasters), 1814-1869

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