Algernon Emory Smith (September 17, 1842 – June 25, 1876) was an officer in the

U.S. 7th Cavalry Regiment The 7th Cavalry Regiment is a United States Army cavalry regiment formed in 1866. Its official nickname is "Garryowen", after the Irish air " Garryowen" that was adopted as its march tune. The regiment participated in some of the largest ba ...

who was killed in the Battle of the Little Bighorn in the Montana Territory. Smith was born in the state of

New York New York most commonly refers to: * New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York * New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States New York may also refer to: Film and television * '' ...

, where he attended Hamilton College. In June 1862, during the American Civil War, he enlisted in Company K,

7th U.S. Infantry Regiment The 7th Infantry Regiment is an infantry regiment in the United States Army. In its 200-year history it has participated in 12 wars, been awarded 78 campaign streamers, and 14 unit decorations. The regiment has served in more campaigns than any ...

. He became a lieutenant in the 117th New York Volunteer Infantry until October 1863 when he was assigned to Maj. Gen. Alfred Terry as an aide-de-camp. He was severely wounded at Fort Fisher in January 1865. He was later breveted to

major Major (commandant in certain jurisdictions) is a military rank of commissioned officer status, with corresponding ranks existing in many military forces throughout the world. When used unhyphenated and in conjunction with no other indicators ...

for his actions in the war. After the war, in 1867, Smith joined the

7th U.S. Cavalry The 7th Cavalry Regiment is a United States Army cavalry regiment formed in 1866. Its official nickname is "Garryowen", after the Irish air " Garryowen" that was adopted as its march tune. The regiment participated in some of the largest ba ...

under George Armstrong Custer. He soon became friends with Custer, and was part of the so-called "Custer Clan" or "Custer Gang" of close-knit friends and relatives of the general. Custer called him "Fresh" Smith, the opposite of "Salty" Smith. He married Nettie B. Bowen on October 10, 1867, at her home in Newport, New York. Smith served in the 1868 Washita Campaign, seeing his first action against the Native Americans. He was promoted to

1st lieutenant First lieutenant is a commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces; in some forces, it is an appointment. The rank of lieutenant has different meanings in different military formations, but in most forces it is sub-divided into a s ...

on December 5, 1868. He participated in most of the 7th Cavalry's campaigns, including the 1873 Yellowstone campaign and as assistant quartermaster in the 1874 Black Hills expedition. Although the 1st lieutenant of Company A, Smith was named as assigned to command Company E. This was under the command of first lieutenant Charles DeRudio as its nominal commander, Captain Charles S. Ilsley, was permanent aide-de-camp to General John Pope at Fort Leavenworth. These changes were to result in Smith being killed at the Battle of the Little Bighorn and DeRudio surviving. Smith's body was not found among his men, but instead was discovered with Custer in the small knot of dead troops on "Last Stand Hill." Smith was given a hasty burial on the battlefield. He was re-interred in 1877 in the Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. His widow died in 1903.

References

;Bibliography * * * * * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Smith, Algernon 1842 births 1876 deaths Military personnel from New York (state) United States Army officers People of the Great Sioux War of 1876 Hamilton College (New York) alumni American military personnel killed in the American Indian Wars Battle of the Little Bighorn