William Farrar Smith

William Farrar Smith
William Farrar "Baldy" Smith
Born	(1824-02-17)February 17, 1824 St. Albans, Vermont, US
Died	February 28, 1903(1903-02-28) (aged 79) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
Place of burial	Arlington National Cemetery
Allegiance	United States (Union)
Service / branch	United States Army Union Army
Years of service	1845–1867
Rank	Major General
Commands	VI Corps IX Corps XVIII Corps
Battles / wars	American Civil War Battle of White Oak Swamp Battle of Antietam Battle of Fredericksburg Gettysburg Campaign Battle of Carlisle Chattanooga Campaign Battle of Brown's Ferry Overland Campaign Battle of Cold Harbor Second Battle of Petersburg
Signature

William Farrar Smith (February 17, 1824 – February 28, 1903), known as "Baldy" Smith, was a Union general in the American Civil War, notable for attracting the extremes of glory and blame. He was praised for his gallantry in the Seven Days Battles and the Battle of Antietam, but was demoted for professional and political reasons after the disastrous defeat at the Battle of Fredericksburg. As chief engineer of the Army of the Cumberland, he achieved recognition by restoring a supply line that saved that army from starvation and surrender, known as the "Cracker Line", that helped Union troops to success in the Chattanooga Campaign in the autumn of 1863. Leading the first operation against Petersburg, Smith's caution, possibly illness-related, may have cost the Union a prime opportunity for a quick end to the war. He was relieved of command shortly thereafter.^[1]