Persifor Frazer Smith

Persifor Frazer Smith (November 16, 1798ndash May 17, 1858) was a U.S. Army officer during the Seminole Wars and Mexican-American War, as well as one of the last governors of California before it became a state.

Smith was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the son of Jonathan and Mary Ann (Frazer) Smith. His maternal grandfather was Revolutionary War figure Persifor Frazer. ["Armstrong County, Pa., Her People, Past and Present", J. H. Beers & Co., 1914; Pp. 489-496.] Other notable relatives include his cousin, Joseph Smith Harris.

Smith served in the Seminole Wars in Florida before taking part in the war with Mexico. He commanded the 2nd Brigade in Worth's Division at the Battle of Monterrey. He was brevetted brigadier general in September 1846 and joined Winfield Scott's army as commander of the 1st Brigade, 2nd Division. He led his brigade at the battles of Verzcruz, Cerro Gordo and Contreras. He was brevetted major general for actions at Contreras and fought in the battles for Mexico City. He served on the armistice commission and then as military governor of Mexico City.

After the war, he commanded the Department of the Pacific and then the Department of Texas, where he selected the site for Fort Davis. He died at Leavenworth, Kansas, while trying to quiet a disturbance.

It has been speculated that, despite his Northern upbringing, he would have supported the Confederacy in the Civil War as a result of his long-time residence in the South, and would possibly have been one of its most experienced officers. However, he rendered the issue moot by dying three years before the war began. His stepson, Frank Crawford Armstrong, did serve as brigadier general in the Confederate army.

References

* [http://www.cr.nps.gov/history/online_books/hh/38/hh38c.htm Fort Davis]
*New International Encyclopedia, Vol XVIII, New York, Dodd, Mead and Company, 1912