Originally aired on January 09, 1998 - In part 176 of our Civil War series, Virginia Tech history professor James Robertson profiles the career of General Charles. F. Smith.
#176 – General Charles F. Smith
When Civil War swept over America in 1861 both sides looked to seasoned high-ranking officers for guidance. A handful of that number never gained lasting prominence. Charles F. Smith, who might have become Union General in Chief, is in that category.
Born in Philadelphia in 1807, Smith graduated from West Point and spent thirteen years there in administration. He was Commandant of Cadets when U. S. Grant was an indifferent student. Then came distinguished service for Smith in Mexico and Utah. By 1861, the old-timer had a record of 35-years of army service.
He looked the part of a professional soldier, tall, slim, with parade-ground stiffness, blue eyes, ruddy complexion. Smith had an enormous white mustache that extended below his chin. He was a strict disciplinarian with a notorious penchant for profanity.
Appointment to Brigadier-General came in August, 1861. Smith cursed volunteers in a way they did not mind because he taught them how soldiers should behave. Subordinates stood in absolute awe of the man. Smith was sent west to serve under his former pupil, Grant.
Fifteen years Smith’s junior, Grant always felt a little humbled and school-boyish in Smith presence. Grant once remarked that, “it does not seem quite right for me to give General Smith orders”. Others felt the same way. Many of the regular officers considered Smith the best all-around soldier in the army. Grant they said owed his stars to political pull while Smith had spent a lifetime gaining rank based on ability.
None of this bothered the “Old Man” as Smith was affectionately called. He was openly proud of Grant and had no hesitation serving under him. In the February, 1862, campaign for Fort Donelson, Tennessee, Smith commanded one of Grant’s three divisions. He personally led a charge against the Confederate flank.
Smith saw his inexperienced men hesitate under fire. The “Old Man” exploded. His voice could be heard over the battle noise. What he essentially said was, “I see skulkers. I’ll have none here. You volunteered to be killed for love of country and now you can be. Follow me.” A few choice words have been eliminated from Smith’s original statement.
Smith led his men up a wooded slope and straight into the Confederate works. One soldier wrote, “that by Smith’s presence and heroic conduct he led the green men to do things that no other man could have done.” That assault doomed Fort Donelson. It also gave a Union General the nickname of “Unconditional Surrender” Grant.
Promotion to Major-General quickly came to Smith. And because Union authorities believed that Smith, not Grant, was responsible for the Donelson success Smith was ordered to replace Grant as commander of Union forces on the Tennessee River line.
Suddenly Charles Smith was dead. One day in jumping into a rowboat he scraped his leg on a piece of rusty metal. Tetanus spread unimpeded. On April 25, 1862 the “Old Man” died at Savannah, Tennessee in the riverside home Grant was using as headquarters.
Smith was the last major casualty of the Shiloh campaign. His body was taken home to Philadelphia for burial. A genuinely saddened Grant wrote Mrs. Smith, “when an entire nation condoles with you in your bereavement no one can do so with more heart-felt grief than myself”. General William T. Sherman left no doubt as to how he felt about the “Old Man”. Sherman declared that neither Grant nor he would ever have been heard of had it not been for Charles F. Smith’s untimely death in the second spring of the Civil War.
