The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1912-01-23
sattls Of Richmond.

.Gen6raI 10. kirby smith, u. - a.,
was born in St Augustine, Fla, May
Is. 1924, OF distinguished parentage.
Els earlier education was acquired in
Virginia. but in 1871 he entered the
u. s. Military Academy at West Point.
wher he was associated with others
who won fame during the Confederate
war. in both the U. S. A. and the C. s.
A.. Of whom. may be mentioned Jack
son, Longstreet, Pickett, Mcclellan,
Grant. Pope and Rosecrans. He
graduated in 1916 and was assigned as
brevet second lieutenant in the 9Th U.
S infantry His first service was III
the war with Mexico. and was brevt-
ted first lieutenant for distinguished
service in the battle of Cerro Gordo.
He also gained the rank OF captain for
gallantry at Contreros, in August of
the same year.
The efficiency of Capt. Smith in
commanding the U. S. escort which at
tended the commission which estab-
lished the boundary between the u. s.
and Mexico, attracted the attention
OF Jefferson Davis. then secretary Of
war, who appointed him captain in
the famous Second U. S. cavalry regi-
ment. at which time Albert Sidney
Johnston was the colonel, Robert E.
Lee lieutenant colonel and George H.
Thomas was the major. At the time
OF the withdrawal OF the southern
states from the union, Kirby Smith
held the rank Of major. but moved by
the same impulses that actuated Al
bert Sidney Johnston, Joseph e. John
ston, Robert e. Lee and others, he ad
hered to his high principle of patriotic
honor, and like them resigned high
rank IN hiS chosen calling when his
state declared her separate SOW
ereignty. Offering his services to the
Confederate government he was COM
missioned as lieutenant colonel of
cavalry. His abilities were soon recog-
nized, especially in the line OF strate-
getical maiaoeuvering, and by June,
1851, he wan made a brigadier- general.
Leading his brigade by forced marches,
he arrived most opportunity on the
field at the first battle of Manassas,
July 2Ist, 1851, and by skillful hand
ling of his troops turned what seemed
about to bsT victory for McDowell's
army into u splendid victory for the
Confederates. and a disastrous rout
for the Federals
His conspicuous eaiciency soon won
for him the rank OF major general,
y hich position he filled with marked
ability until October. 1851, at which
time he was assigned to the depart
ment Of East Tennessee, north Georgia
and northwest North Carolina, where
Ills superior. powers as a strategist
were shown in the checkmating Of
invasions by greatly superior forces.
By way of Cumberland Gap and OF
Nashvie, until July, 1852
Just here a brief statement Of milf
tary conditions in the west should be
made As already stated Gen. Kirby
Smith was in east Tennessee. Gen.
Braxtcn Bragg, commander in chief
Of the western army of the Confed-
eracy, was at Tupelo. Miss. The Fed :
erals, under Gen. Buell., held Nashville
and Gen. G. w. McFgan,s command
held Cumberland Gap, the key to an
eastern invasion.
1t Is. authoritatively stated that ii
was upon the repeated suggestions Of
Gen. Kirby Smith that the army IN
der Gen. Hragg was transferred to
Chattanooga, and the campaign
through Tennessee and Kentucky in
augurated. Gen. Smith was REIN
forced by TWO small divisions from
Gen. Rragg's army, which joined him
at Knoxville. The brigade OF Gen.
Preston Smith, to which. the writer
belonged, was q part of this reinforce
ment, so In narrating the following In
ctdents OF the Kirby Smith campaign
he will be excused for using the pro-
NOUN. we. sro prevent the march OF
the enemy through east Tennessee
from Cumberland Gap, Gen. Kirby
Smith left Gen. Stevenson with all
available forces, while he, with the
little army OF about 1--WE thousand men
of the line. including eighteen hum
dTed cavalry under Col John s. Scott
set out from Knoxville August 18th
1852. Retaining small number of
cavalry for scouting and courier SER
vice, he ordered Col. Scott to cross
the mountains southwark of the route
he himself would take and to strike
London, KY, on the route for supply
trains to Cumberland Gap. In the
meantime, Gen. Kirby Smith was eau
tiously advancing over the mountains
through the Rogers Gap. The duty
assigned to Col. Scott was most sue
cessfuily accomplished. On Aug. 17th
he captured London with III prison
ers and large supply train. then
turning south on the 3rd. attacked Col
Leonidas Metcalfe. driving him from
Big Hill. IL miles from Richmond
On the 18th. Gen. Smith reached Bar
louisville. KY. where he captured :
federal hospital and about three hun
dred wagons loaded with supplies en-
route to Cumberland Gap. Here he
was re-joined by the wagons, horses
and artillery which had gone through
Big Creek. Gap. The artillery men
TONED consisted Of one horse noun
tain HoH'itzer. Remaining here long
enough to lead most OF the captured
wagons with salt from the works
near Manchester. Gen. Smith moved
by way OF Big Hill and accomplished
crossing by the afternoon of Aug.
goth. The troops were given an on
portunity of rest and refreshing them
selves with such food as they had in
their haversacks. This halt proved
to be preparatory to the principal
event of the campaign. the battle Of
Richmond About dusk the troops
were ordered TO move. but the wagons
TO remain packed. Positive orders
were issued that there should be no