SMYTH, Thomas Alfred

Affiliation:  Union

Born: December 25 1832, Ballyhooley, Ireland

Died: April 9 1865, nr Farmville VA

Pre-War Profession: Emigrated to US 1854, filibusterer in Nicaragua, coach maker.

War Service: 1861 served in 24th Pennsylvania, Maj. in 1st Delaware, Suffolk, Lt. Col., Antietam, Col., Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, commanded 2nd bde/3rd Divn/II Corps at Gettysburg, commanded 2nd Bde/1st Divn/II Corps at Wilderness, Spotsylvania, commanded 3rd Bde/2nd Divn/II Corps at Cold Harbor, October 1864 appointed Brig. Gen. of Volunteers, Petersburg campaign, commanded a division in Appomattox campaign, Farmville

Post War:  In April 1865 near Farmville, Virginia, Smyth was shot through the mouth by a sniper, with the bullet shattering his cervical vertebra and paralyzing him. Smyth died two days later at Burke's Tavern, concurrent with the surrender of Robert E. Lee and his army at Appomattox Court House.