The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-07-09
FOR OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
Col. Vim. r. Smedberg, CalIfOrnIa's Candidate for
the Exalted Position.


Col. Vim. r. Smedbcrg, CalifornIa's Candidate for
the Exalted Position.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: At the En-.
campment Of the Grand Army Of the Republic,
Department Of California, held at Santa Cruz,
April o., %, %, 1891, resolution was adopted
unanimously, Endorsing and recommending
Col. William Il. Smedborg for the next Ma
tional Commander OF the Grand Army Of the
Republic. The Delegates and visiting COM
rades 10 the next National Eneampment, TO be
held at Detroit, were instructed and urged TO
use all honorable means TO insure tho election
Of CALIFORNIA; candidate. In view Of the fact
that the California Delegation viii come 20 De-
troit prepared TO make a vigorous fight for
their candidate" loaded for bear so 10
speak, sketch Of the life and military history
Of Col. Smcdberg will DO Of interest 10 the
readers of THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE.
William RenWick Smedbcrg was born in New
York City, March 10. 1929. IIo entered Co
lumbia College, New York, in 1853, graduating
in 1857. in July, 1856, he became member
OF Co. i, Of the famous New York 7th re-
manning with it until 1860 when he was hon
orably discharged on account Of his removal 10
Washington, d. C., where he Joined the Ma
tiOual Rifles.
Before the guns fired in the defense Of Fort
Sumter were cool, Col. Smedberg had on
listed as private in Co. A, Sd battalion, Dis
trict of Columbia volunteers, the date Of his en-
listment being April IL, loGl. With this COM
maud he served in the Patterson SHd Potomac
campaigns, being discharged July (, 1861, by
reason OF promotion TO a First Lieutenancy in
the llth U. s. Inf lie was soon made Adiu-
tant OF the Cd battalion of his regiment, serv-
ing rs such until has promotion TO Captain,
Oct. p, ls6l. in this position he participated
ln the following campaigns and battles: PENN
sular campaign, siege Of Yorktown. Gaines's
Mills, White Oak Swamp Malvern Hill, Second
Bull Run, Autictam, Lcctown, Smokers Gap,
Fredericksburg, Mine Run, and the Wilderness.
July ., 1853, he was brcvetted Major ia the
battle Of the Wilderness, May s. 1864. while
serving on the staff Of Gen. Charles Griffin as
Division Inspector Of the First Division Fifth
Corps, his right foot was torn OF by a she'll
This wound necCsstated Rmputati0n, aud the
foot aud ankle were taken OF Just below the
knee. breyet Of Lieutenant Colonel, to date
May 3, 1864, was conferred upon him. Both Of
his brevets were for gallant and meritorious
services on the battlefield. The severe nature
Of his wound forbade active service in the field,
and he WAS assigned 10 service rs Recruiting
aud Mastering Officer until the close Of the
war. In November 1863 no accompanied his
regiment TO California. lie was Assistant In
spcctor Of the Department Of California from
December. 1865 until May 90, 1850, on the
stat Of Maj.-Gcn. Irwin Mcdowell; ABIDE
Camp 81 the Military Division OF tho Pacific
on the staT Of Mai.-Gen. II. w. Iiallcck from
May 20, lsG6, until May 81, 1863; from June
lo69, until December, 1870, he was Assistant
Adjutant General on the stats Of Mai Gen.
George ii. Thomas and Mai. Gen. J. NJ. Scho-
field. when he was retired from active service
by reason Of wounds, with the rank of Mounted
Captain.
AZ tins time the National Guard Of California
were in a badly-demoaizcd condition. The
various companies were uniformed in all tho
coors OF the rainbow, aud the Sarsfcld Guards
Wolf Tone Guards French Zuuaves, Italian
Bersagliers, etc, did as they pleased, aud their
parades aud piCulCs were the dread Of an decent
aud law-a5!ding citizens Col. Smodbcrg was
offered his choice Of The command Of either the
lst 2d or 81 TegtmCGts January. 1870, he
accepted the command OF the %. Under his
vigorous and soldicTly administration the ~
was rapidly brought up 10 a state OF the highest
efficiency, aud the other regiments cmuIating
and following their example, rapidly improved
until the National Guard Of California g kuds
second TO none in our country. As proof OF
the appreciation Of has services, Col. Smcdberg
was three times offered the commission Of
ier-General, aud twice that Of Major
General, and some Of these offers came from
But he preferred to stay with the boys" aud
did 50 until he resigned, in December, 1885.
His Grand Army record is a good one. He
was one OF the pioneer members Of George II.
Thomas Post. No 2 San Francisco. In 1855 he
was made Assistant Adjutant- General OF the
Department. Feb. -, lS-6, his comrades
elected him Department Commander Of tic
Grand Army Of the Republic, Department Of
California. Under bis administration the Ma
tiOual Eucampment OF the Grand Army 40 san
Francisco, IN 1856, was carried out in "A style
aud maguihcemce never eXcclled by either pre-
YIous or subsequent Encampmcnis. Tic COM
Tadcs who participated ia that famous parade
at San Francisco, Aug. 9, 1856, will never for
get the perfect case and precision with which
that immense parade WIS moved.
As Loyal Legion man, Col. Smedberg Is
known all over the United States as the Ee-
corder Of the California Commaudcry. The
building up Of the CGmmandery has been his
especial pride, and 10 his energy is due the fact
that the California CommandcEy ranks ifth in
the United States. At the National Eucamp-
inent in Boston last August, Col. Smcdberg was
nominated for Commander Chief. but de-
clined in favor Of Commander Neazcy. In
daily life he is a dgnifed. courteous and ire
proachable citizen. successful business man,
aud the pride and choice Of his California COM
rades.-FREE s. BOwLEY, 732 ShotWeu street,
San Francisco, Cal.