The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1922-03-29
GENERAL KlHsY sMlrn


OF the ice machine and mechanical re-
frLgeration, and one OF General Ed
mund Kirby Smith. The first is a
memorial to benefactor of kind,
a physician and scientist, illustrious
for distinguished civic services and the
second, a memorial to Florlda's most
soldier.
Both are the works of a citizen Of
Florida, G. A. Pillars, a sculptor stu
dent Of Laro Taft.
Senator Duncan u Fletcher, before
the adoption of a concurrent resolu
tion, thanking the state of Florida for
the statute of General Kirby Smith,
called attention to the career of Flor
ida's distinguished son as follows:
General Edmund Kirby Smith was
born at st. Augustine, Fla, May 16.
1924, and died at Sewanee, Tenn, on
March %. 1898.
His father, Joseph Lee Smith, and
mother, who before her marriage, was
Frances Marvin Kirby, came to Flori
da from Connecticut, where the father
was prominent lawyer, in 1921, hay
ing resigned as colonel of the Third
United States Infantry in 1918. He
had served as commissioned officer,
major and colonel. in the war of 1872.
He was appointed Judge OF the United
States District Court for Florida in
1s43. and served in this position until
1887. From 1898 to 1s45 he was a del
egate to congress from the territory
OF Florida.
Edmund Kirby Smith graduated
from West Point Military Academy
with honor in 1845-among the first
appointees from Florida. He was Civ
en- the brevet rank of second lieutenant
OF infantry, and saw his first active
service in the Mexican war, in which
he was twice breveted for gallantry,
first at Cerro Gorda and then at Cou-
treras
He was assistant professor of math-
ematics, following this war, at West
Point Military Academy from 1S4s to
1852.
In 1856, he attained the rank of cap
tain and was assigned to the Second
United States Cavalry, serving on the
then frontier at Fort Atchison, Texas
and was wounded in an engagement
islature of Texas gave him a unani-
nous vote of thanks for his services
and the conspicuous gallantry dis
played in that battle.
Early in 1851 he was promoted to
the rank of major, but when his native
State of Florida withdrew from the
Federal Union, he resigned his COM
He was appointed a. lieutenant coll
onel Of cavalry In the Confederate
Army by President Jefferson Davis
April 9, 1861.
In 1852 he was made lieutenant gem
eral and full general, the highest
rank In the Confederate Army, in the
year 1864.
He was wounded az the first battle
OF Manassas, or Bull Run, and was
subsequently placed in command of
the Department OF East Tennessee, to
wit, In 1882. He led the eastern wing
in advance of the army under General
Bragg, which marched into Kentucky
IN the late summer and early fall of
1852. In August of that year the force
under his command gained a signal
victory over much larger force of
the Army at Richmond, Ky.
The congress of the confederate
states on February Z, 1863, unanimous
ly passed resolution of thanks to
General Smith for his matchless dis
play of skill and bravery in conducting
his part of that campaign.
In 1853 he was placed in command
of the Mississippi department
covering Texas, a large portion of
Louisiana, Arkansas, New Mexico, and
the Indian Territory. He organized
and disciplined a fighting force. pro-
vided and enforced a system of gov
eminent over the country, established
factories, machine shops, salt works
and other industries, and supplied his
army with clothing. rations, and es-
sential munitions of war.
The legislature OF Texas, Nav "a
1864, adopted a joint resolution thank
ing him for victories gained in Louis
ANA and Arkansas.
His army was the last Confederate
force to surrender.
4 In 1870 he accepted the chancellor
ship of the University of Nashville
Ind so continued until 1875.
He was rendered the chair of rnatb-
'matics at Sewanee, the University of
he South then, and held that position |
until called to take his place with the
mighty hosts of heroes and sages who |
lave gone before. March 2s. 1893. |
He married Cassie Selden. of lynch
'urg, Va, whom he met while recov-
ring from severe wounds he received
n the first battle of Manassas. She
lied at Sewanee. Tenn. in 1907. at the
ge OF SO. having survived the general |
years. Eleven children blessed their |
lnion, all of whom have proven the |
ruth OK the old saying that blood |
counts" and all now are living bur /
me, John Selden Kirby Smith. who |
lied at the age OF As, leaving a widow
nd six children.
When the war between the states
vas over. General Kirby Smith. ike /
General Lee, devoted his great abiH- I
les. his superb talents, his lofty ex-
nipple to that profession whcih is sec
ma only to the ministry, thar of the
eaCher. The