Alexander Smyth

Alexander Smyth (1765 – April 17, 1830) was an American lawyer, soldier, and politician from Virginia. Smyth served in the Virginia Senate, Virginia House of Delegates, United States House of Representatives and as a general during the War of 1812. Smyth County, Virginia, is named in his honor.

Alexander Smyth
Portrait of Alexander Smyth
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's 22nd district
In office March 4, 1827 – April 17, 1830
Preceded by	Benjamin Estil
Succeeded by	Joseph Draper
In office March 4, 1823 – March 3, 1825
Preceded by	Hugh Nelson
Succeeded by	Benjamin Estil
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's 6th district
In office March 4, 1817 – March 3, 1823
Preceded by	Daniel Sheffey
Succeeded by	George Tucker
Member of the Virginia House of Delegates from Wythe County
In office 1826 Alongside Montgomery Friel
In office 1816 Alongside Jacob Fishback
In office 1804–1807 Alongside Joseph Crockett and Samuel Graham
In office 1801 Alongside Daniel Sheffey
In office 1796 Alongside Francis Carter
In office 1792 Alongside William Caffee
Personal details
Born	1765 Rathlin Island, County Antrim, Kingdom of Ireland
Died	April 17, 1830 (aged 64–65) Washington, D.C., U.S.
Resting place	Congressional Cemetery, Washington, D.C.
Political party	Jacksonian
Other political affiliations	Democratic-Republican
Spouse(s)	Nancy Binkley
Children	Malvina Smyth
Occupation	Lawyer, politician
Military service
Branch/service	United States Army
Years of service	1808 – 1813
Rank	Brigadier General
Commands	Regiment of Riflemen
Battles/wars	War of 1812 *Battle of Queenston Heights *Battle of Frenchman's Creek

Early life

Smyth was born on Rathlin Island in County Antrim (part of the Kingdom of Ireland). He immigrated to the United States with his father, Rev. Alfred Smythe at the age of 10, and settled in Botetourt County, Virginia, in 1775 where he completed preparatory studies. He studied law, and was admitted to the bar and commenced practice in Abingdon, Virginia.

Smyth moved to Wythe County, Virginia, and was a member of the Virginia House of Delegates in 1792, 1796, 1801, 1802, and from 1804 to 1808. He served in the Virginia Senate in 1808 and 1809.

Military career

Smyth served in the United States Army from 1808 to 1813. Commissioned as a colonel in 1808, he served as Inspector General to William Eustis, the acting War Secretary.

Shortly after the outbreak of the War of 1812, Smyth was promoted to brigadier general on July 6, 1812. During the Battle of Queenston Heights he refused to support his commander, General Stephen Van Rensselaer, a militia commander with no experience. After Van Rensselaer's disgrace, Smyth was given command and proved himself equally inept. His plan to invade Canada started with the Battle of Frenchman's Creek but was then abandoned because of problems due to poor organization.[1]

After the failed attack on Canada, Smyth was insulted by Brigadier General Peter B. Porter, who accused Smyth of cowardice.[2] Smyth challenged Porter to a duel, but both men went unscathed. The historian John R. Elting wrote of the duel, stating, "Unfortunately, both missed."[3] In the wake of his failure, Smyth's name was removed from the U.S. Army rolls.[4]

Postwar career

After the war, Smyth resumed the practice of law, and again became a member of the Virginia House of Delegates in 1816, 1817, 1826, and 1827. He was elected to the Fifteenth United States Congress and reelected to the Sixteenth, Seventeenth, and Eighteenth Congresses, serving from March 4, 1817, to March 3, 1825. He was elected again to the Twentieth and Twenty-first Congresses, serving again from March 4, 1827, until his death.

Smyth died in Washington, D.C., and was interred in the United States Congressional Cemetery. Smyth County, Virginia, is named after him.

Electoral history

• 1817; Smyth was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives with 66.99% of the vote, defeating Federalist Benjamin Estill.
• 1819; Smyth was re-elected unopposed.
• 1821; Smyth was re-elected unopposed.

See also

• List of United States Congress members who died in office (1790–1899)

References

Notes

1. Quimby, p. 77
2. Kellman, Rich. "War of 1812: Part V - Heroes and Villains". WBFO. Retrieved April 6, 2013.
3. Elting, p. 51
4. Quimby, p. 78

Bibliography

• Elting, John R. (1991). Amateurs, to Arms! A Military History of the War of 1812. Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill. p. 51. ISBN 0-306-80653-3.
• Quimby, Robert S. (1997). The U.S. Army in the War of 1812: An Operational and Command Study. East Lansing, MI: Michigan State University Press. ISBN 0-87013-441-8.

• United States Congress. "Alexander Smyth (id: S000646)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.

External links

• Media related to Alexander Smyth at Wikimedia Commons