Class of 1842

Gustavus Woodson Smith: Born Jan. 1, 1822, in Scott County, KY.

Military History. — Cadet at the Military Academy, July 1, 1838, to July 1, 1842, when he was graduated and promoted in the Army to

Bvt. Second Lieut., Corps of Engineers, July 1, 1842.

Served: as Asst. Engineer in the construction of Ft. Trumbull and Battery Griswold, New London harbor, Ct., 1842‑44; at the Military Academy, as Asst. Professor of Engineering, Aug. 31, 1844, to Sep. 24,

(Second Lieut., Corps of Engineers, Jan. 1, 1845)

1846; in the War with Mexico, 1846‑48, attached to the company of Sappers, Miners, and Pontoniers, and in command of it, Mar. 10, 1847, to May 22, 1847, being engaged in opening the road from Matamoras to Tampico, 1846‑47, — Siege of Vera Cruz, Mar. 9‑29, 1847, — Battle of Cerro Gordo, Apr. 17‑18, 1847, — strengthening the Defenses of Puebla,

(Bvt. First Lieut., Apr. 18, 1847,
for Gallant and Meritorious Conduct in the Battle of Cerro Gordo, Mex.)

June‑July, 1847, — opening the road around Lake Chalco, Aug., 1847, — Battle of Contreras, Aug. 19‑20, 1847, — Reconnaissance and Battle of

(Bvt. Capt., Aug. 20, 1847,
for Gallant and Meritorious Conduct in the Battle of Contreras, Mex.)

Churubusco, Aug. 20, 1847, — constructing batteries against Chapultepec, Sep. 9‑13, 1847, — and Assault and Capture of the City of Mexico, Sep. 13‑14, 1847; and at the Military Academy, as Principal Asst. Professor

(First Lieut., Corps of Engineers, Mar. 3, 1853)

of Engineering, Nov. 1, 1849, to Dec. 18, 1854.

Resigned, Dec. 18, 1854.​a

Civil History. — Superintendent of the Extension of the U. S. Treasury Building, Washington, D. C., July 10 to Dec., 1855, — of Repairs of Branch Mint, and construction of Marine Hospital, New Orleans, La., Dec., 1855, to Aug., 1856. Engineer of Trenton Iron Company, N. J., Oct., 1856, to May, 1857. Agent of London Bankers for the examination of land grants for railroads in Iowa, May, 1857, to Apr., 1858. Deputy Street Commissioner of New York city, Apr. 20 to Nov. 12, 1858; and Street Commissioner, Nov. 12, 1858, to Sep. 20, 1861. Member of the Board to "Revise the Programme of Instruction at the Military Academy," Jan. 12 to Apr. 11, 1860.

Joined in the Rebellion of 1861‑66 against the United States.​b

Civil History. — General Manager of the Southwestern Iron Company,  p122 Chattanooga, Ten., 1866‑70. Insurance Commissioner of Kentucky, 1870‑76. Author of "Notes on Life Insurance," 18–––; and of "Confederate War Papers," 1886. Residence, New York city.

Buried, Cedar Grove Cemetery, New London, CT.