SMITH, WILLIAM FARRAR (1824-1903). An American soldier, born at Saint Albans, Vt. He graduated from West Point in 1845, and from 1846 to 1848 and again in 1855-56 he was as sistant professor of mathematics there. He was a muster officer in New York at the time of the outbreak of the Civil War, served on the staffs of Generals Butler and McDowell in June, July, and August, 1861; became colonel Third Vermont Volunteers (July 16, 1861), partici pated in the first battle of Bull Run; became brigadier-general United States volunteers (Au gust. 13, 1861), and was in command of a division in the Peninsular campaign from March to August, 1862. He was brevetted lieutenant-col onel United States Army for gallantry in the battle of White Oak Swamp (June 28, 1862). He became major-general United States volun teers (July 4, 1862), took part in the Maryland campaign, and was brevetted colonel United States Army for gallantry at Antietam. He com manded the Sixth Corps of the Army of the Potomac from November 14, 1S62, to February 4. 1863, when he was transferred to the Ninth Corps, which he commanded until March 17. He commanded a division of the Army of the Susquehanna from June 17 to August 3. 1863,
and engaged in pursuit of the Confederates after the battle of Gettysburg. He was chief engineer, Department of the Cumberland, in the fall of 1863, and by building a bridge at Brown's Ferry (October 26) was able to join Hooker's forces with the Army of the Cmnberland, saving the latter from possible capture at Chattanooga. lie was again promoted to the rank of major-gen eral United States volunteers (March 9, 1864). and served with the Army of the Potomac, from May 2 to July 9, 1864, in the operations before Richmond. Ile was brevetted brigadier-general United States Army (March 13, 1865) for ser vices at Chattanooga and major-general the same day for services during the war. He resigned from the volunteer service on November 1. 1865, and from the Regular Army March 7. 1867. From 1864 to 1873 he was president of the In ternational Telegraph Company, became a mem ber of the board of police commissioners of New York (Slay 1, and president December 31, 1877. After 1881 he practiced civil engineering.