Page:Confederate Military History - 1899 - Volume 1.djvu/787

Rh terms. His peculiar devotion to the public interests earned for him the popular title &quot;Honest John Letcher.&quot; In 1859 he was elected governor, taking his seat January 1, 1860. He loved the Union sincerely and with a strong hand held back the more impetuous, until no course but separation remained, when his hand was as strong for armed defense. He was a faithful friend of Lee and Jackson. His home was burned at the time of the destruction of the Virginia military institute, and after the war he was confined for some months in the Old Capitol prison. In 1876, while a member of the legislature, he was stricken with paralysis. He died January 26, 1884, at Lexington.

William Smith, governor of Virginia from January 1, 1864, to the close of the war, was born September 6, 1797, in King George county, Virginia. After receiving a general education in academic institutions he took up the study of law and was licensed to practice in 1819. His political career began about this time also, but it was not until 1836 that he accepted office. He then sat in the State senate one term, and was re-elected. He became interested in mail contracts and had charge of some Mr. Smith was elected to Congress, and in December, 1845, he was chosen governor of Virginia. After the expiration of his term, in 1850. he removed to California, where he at once gained prominence. He represented San Francisco in the constitutional convention at Bernicia in 1850, and was chosen permanent president of that body. Returning to Virginia in December, 1852, he was elected to Congress in May, 1853, and retained his seat until March 4, 1861. When the war broke out Governor Smith, though in his sixty-fourth year, offered his services in the field, and was commissioned colonel and as signed to the Forty-ninth regiment, Virginia infantry, which he led with gallantry at Manassas, July 21, 1861.