Pointe Coupee Democrat. [volume] (False River [i.e. New Roads], Parish of Pointe Coupee [La.]) 1858-1862, 1858-05-29
NO. 20.
DEATH Of GEN. SMITH.

The telegraphic news last evening
:. announced the deccase Of our late fellow
. citizen Brevet Major General Persifor
: +. Smith, Of the United States Army.
, lhls melancholy event happened at Fort
Lcavenworth, Kansas Territory, few
days since. His immediate friends and
acqualntances were aware Of the critical
} state OF his health, which had been i'm
. paired since the Mexican war
His death at this iuncture comes with
more painful and mournfal feelings from
the circumstance that he was charged
by Government with the command of
the army for the settlement of the Nor.
mon difficulties. Within the past twelve
years Gen. Smith has been connected
with many OF the most important eAents
recorded in our country's history. His
eminent services and his fame are writ
ten on its archives.
Gen. Smith was a native of Philadel-
phia, son of the late jonathan Smith,
the eminent financier and first Cashier
of the Bank Of the United States, organi-
zed in the year 1916 If the writer's
memory serves him correctly, Gen.
Smith arrived in this city in 1919, and
commenced the practice of law, in which
he attained great success. He was held
IN the highest esteem and respect by all
his then youthful friends, as well as old,
and it is not known that any of them
had cause to change their opinions He
occupied many offices OF trust and honor.
In 1927 he was appointed Judge Of one
of our city Courts, which he held for sew
eral years. From associations with
many eminent officers of the United
States Army, why were for years on this
station, he imbibed taste Of the arts Of
war or military profession. He then
commanded one of the military COM
panies of our city, and afterwards at
tanned the command of the Louisiana
Legion. ~s
On the breaking out of the Florida
war in 1885 Gen Smith raised regi-
ment Of volunteers, and proceeded to
Florida, where he remained until the
close, receiving the highest praise and
approval from Gen. Taylor.
On his return from Florida he was
selected by the then Council Of the Sc
cond Municipality as Secretary, which
Office he retained for u long period, or
until he was appointed Parish Judge,ef
the parish of Jefferson At the time the
Office of Secretary was conferred On him,
it was deemed the highest appreciation
Of his abilities and worth, being in the
midst Of great party excitement, and
the Council all politically opposed to
aim.
On the breaking out of the Mexican
war, in ls46 he was then holding the
office of Judge of the parish. Gen
Taylor, in his requlsition on Gov John
son, of this State, for four regiments Of
specially suggested that Gen.
Smith should be appointed Brigadier
General, which was concurred in. His
distinguished services at the battle of
Monterey received the attention of the
Government. On the organization Of
he Mounted Riaemen in 1e47, Gen.
smith received the appointment of Col
mel, of the Regiment. From that time
&c has been devoted TO the service of
he nation, and his history and fame are
written on It's annals. He was twice
1arried, and must have peen about 60
ears of age at the time of his decease.
n o. Crescent Goth.
CONFESSIONAL sailor died recently in
exas, and on his death-bed confessed
rat he was one of the crew who murder
i Mrs. Aston, of South Carolina, forty
ears ago. Mrs. Alston was the daughter
Aaron Burr. She sailed from Charles
IN for New York, in brig, and on the
ip the crew mntinied and murdered all .n
le officers and passengers, Mrs. Alsten
ling the last one to walk the plank.
he sailor remembered her look Of des-
air, and died in the greatest agony Of
ind ..+a +.
sg> Abe Phillips, notorious rowdy,
as assassinated in New Orleans on
thursday night BY some unknown per-
n.