William Smith

William Smith Historical Figure Nationality: United States (Confederate States, 1861-65) Year of Birth: 1797 Year of Death: 1887 Cause of Death: Natural causes Occupation: Politician, Lawyer, soldier Spouse: Elizabeth Bell Children: Eleven Military Branch: Confederate Army (1861-1863) Political Party: Democratic Party Political Office(s): United States Representative from Virginia, Governor of Virginia Fictional Appearances: The Guns of the South POD: January 17, 1864 Type of Appearance: Direct Nationality: Confederate States Military Branch: CS Army (Second American Revolution) Political Office(s): Governor of Virginia

William "Extra Billy" Smith (September 6, 1797 – May 18, 1887) was a lawyer, congressman, the 30th Governor of Virginia as well as the second head of that state's secessionist government, and a Major General in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. On his appointment in January 1863, at the age of 65, Smith was the oldest Confederate general to hold field command in the war. As governor, he supported the idea of recruiting black troops into the CS Army.

William Smith in The Guns of the South

Governor William Smith of Virginia attended the inauguration of President Robert E. Lee in Richmond on March 4, 1868. This event was tragically disrupted by the Richmond Massacre, and it was not immediately known whether Governor Smith had emerged unharmed from this carnage.