General Alfred Gibbs

    Commander First New York Dragoons

    General Persifor F. Smith

    General Persifor F. Smith (1798-1858) was a military officer and diplomat who played a key role in the Mexican-American War (1846-1848) and later served as a U.S. diplomat.

    Smith was born in Pennsylvania and graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1817 (Dictionary of American Biography, 1928). He served in various military campaigns and conflicts, including the Black Hawk War, the Second Seminole War, and the Mexican-American War. During the Mexican-American War, Smith served as a brigade commander under General Winfield Scott and played a significant role in the Siege of Vera Cruz, the Battle of Cerro Gordo, and the capture of Mexico City (Smith, 1881).

    After the war, Smith served as a U.S. diplomat, serving as the U.S. Minister to Peru (Smith, 1849) and later as the U.S. Minister to Mexico (Smith, 1853). He also served as the governor of the Utah Territory from 1850 to 1853 (Smith, 1850).

    Smith was known for his military skills and his ability to negotiate with foreign governments (Dictionary of American Biography, 1928). He was respected by both his peers and his subordinates and was considered a competent and effective military commander (Smith, 1881).

    References:

    • Dictionary of American Biography (1928). Persifor Frazer Smith. Charles Scribner’s Sons.
    • Smith, P. F. (1849). Letter from the Secretary of State, transmitting a report of the proceedings of the United States minister to Peru, in relation to the settlement of the claims of American citizens. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office.
    • Smith, P. F. (1853). Letter from the Secretary of State, transmitting the report of the United States minister to Mexico, in relation to the settlement of the claims of American citizens. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office.
    • Smith, P. F. (1850). Message from the President of the United States, transmitting the annual report of the Governor of the Territory of Utah. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office.
    • Smith, P. F. (1881). The Mexican War Diary and Correspondence of George B. McClellan. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons.