Brigadier-General Thomas Alfred Smyth, carte-de-visite, by William H. Curry, Wilmington, Delaware. Bust view showing 2^nd Corps badge on breast. Plain mount, Revenue stamp on back. Faded pen & ink note under the image reads “Gen. Smyth Commanding 3^rd Brig. 2^nd Div. 2^nd C”.

Thomas Alfred Smyth was from Ballyhooly in County of Cork, Ireland, born on December 25, 1832. Raised on his father’s farm, he later immigrated to the United States. Upon settling in his new homeland, Smyth joined William Walker’s 1855 expedition to Nicaragua, and apparently became a skilled woodworker. In 1858, he moved to Wilmington, Delaware, where he remained until the start of the Civil War.

Smyth raised a three-month company to assist in the war. When that service was finished, he enlisted as a major in the 1st Delaware Volunteers. Smyth was at the Battle of Antietam, and was present when Captain Rickards was killed. On December 18, 1862, Smyth was promoted to lieutenant colonel. Smyth was wounded during the Battle of Gettysburg but was able to return to service. After Smyth’s performance at Gettysburg, General Hancock recommended Smyth for promotion to brigadier general, although the promotion took a year to become official. Between March and May 1864, Thomas Smyth temporarily took command of the Irish Brigade. On October 4, 1864, Colonel Smyth was promoted to the rank of brigadier general. On April 7, 1865, Thomas Smyth and his men neared the town of Farmville, Virginia, where they encountered heavy fire from the Confederates. While on his horse, Smyth was hit in the mouth by a bullet. The conical ball had damaged his neck, which resulted in a fractured cervical vertebra. That in turn caused a small fragment of bone to lodge in his spinal cord, resulting in paralysis. Surgeon-in-chief D.W. Maull had him transported to Burkesville Station. When he regained consciousness, he was aware of his wounds, but thought only of his men. On April 9, 1865, at 4 a.m., he passed away. His body was embalmed at Burkesville, forwarded to Wilmington for burial, and laid to rest at the Brandywine Cemetery in Wilmington. That same day, the main army of the Confederacy surrendered, making Thomas Smyth the last general officer killed on the Union side.  [jet]

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