Watson B. Smith Letters
This collection consists of five letters written by Watson B. Smith in the field in Tennessee in November and December 1863 to his father and a general order congratulating another commander. The first letter to his father discusses his promotion to assistant adjutant general and some fighting south of Knoxville. The other letters are short and concern attempts to secure another promotion, more fighting around Knoxville, and greeting the family.
Dates
- 1863 November-December
Conditions Governing Access
Collections are stored offsite and must be requested in advance. See www.special.lib.utk.edu for detailed information. Collections must be requested through a registered Special Collections research account.
Conditions Governing Use
The UT Libraries claims only physical ownership of most material in the collections. Persons wishing to broadcast or publish this material must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants on www.special.lib.utk.edu for detailed information. Collections must be requested through a registered Special Collections research account.
Extent
0.1 Linear Feet
Abstract
This collection houses five letters written by Watson B. Smith in the field in Tennessee in November and December 1863 to his father and a general order congratulating another commander. The letters discuss his promotions and battles against the Confederates near Knoxville and offer his regards to his family.
Biographical/Historical Note
Watson B. Smith enlisted as a Commissary Sergeant in Company C of the 8th Michigan Cavalry Regiment on August 27, 1862. He was promoted multiple times: to Lieutenant on November 6, 1862; to Acting Adjutant General on October 29, 1863; to Captain on April 15, 1864; to Major on November 14, 1864; to Brevet Lieutenant Colonel on March 13, 1865; and finally to Brevet Colonel on September 22, 1865. He was discharged in Detroit on October 6, 1865, after which he and his wife moved to Nebraska. Smith subsequently became a Clerk in the U. S. Circuit Court and was murdered on November 5, 1881 over his support for a blue law that would force saloons to pay a $1,000 dollar license fee and close on Sunday.
Arrangement
Collection consists of a single oversize folder.
Acquisition Note
Collection was purchased by Special Collections on April 8, 2007.
Repository Details
Part of the Betsey B. Creekmore Special Collections and University Archives, University of Tennessee, Knoxville Repository