Alexander Smyth

Alexander Smyth (born 1765 on Rathlin Island , Ireland , † April 17, 1830 in Washington, DC ) was an American lawyer , general of the War of 1812 and politician .

Life

Smyth emigrated to the United States with his family in 1775. He grew up in Virginia , studied law and worked as a lawyer . In 1792 he was elected to the House of Representatives of Virginia for the first time (also in 1796, 1801-1802 and 1804-1808), 1808/1809 in the State Senate .

In 1808 he entered the US Army with the rank of colonel and was appointed Inspector General for War Minister William Eustis . Since he did not have the necessary military experience and knowledge for this task, this appointment was obviously the result of political influence. After the outbreak of the war with Great Britain in 1812, Smyth pushed for a field command, probably to promote his political career with military merits. He was therefore transferred to Buffalo in September 1812 and took command of a unit of professional soldiers, but saw himself subordinate to Militia General Stephen Van Rensselaer . He made no secret of his contempt for his superior, refused to support him in the battle of Queenston Heights on October 13, 1812, and thus contributed to a devastating American defeat.

Instead of being tried by a court martial , he was promoted to succeed Van Rensselaer. In this command he proved to be even more incompetent than his predecessor. Although he boasted several times about his plans to cross the Niagara River and conquer Fort Erie , an attack attempt failed in the battle of Frenchman's Creek on November 28, 1812 in an extremely pathetic way. He brought his soldiers to the brink of rebellion, and there are even alleged plans for assassination. He was publicly branded a coward by his subordinate Brigadier General Peter B. Porter and even challenged to a duel . In March 1813 he lost his command and left the army. Smyth's career is a symptom of the poor state of the US Army in the War of 1812 and illustrates why the US failed to achieve its goal of conquering Canada in that war, despite oppressive superiority.

Smyth returned to Virginia, practiced as a lawyer and, despite his unconvincing military achievements, continued his political career. He was elected to the House of Delegates of Virginia in 1816, 1817, 1826, and 1827 . He was also a member of the Democratic Republicans in the US House of Representatives from 1817 to 1825 and from 1827 until his death . He died on April 17, 1830 in Washington and was buried there in the Congressional Cemetery . The Smyth County , Virginia is named after him.

Web links

Commons : Alexander Smyth - collection of images, videos and audio files

Alexander Smyth in the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress (English)

personal data
SURNAME	Smyth, Alexander
BRIEF DESCRIPTION	American politician and general
DATE OF BIRTH	1765
PLACE OF BIRTH	Rathlin , Ireland
DATE OF DEATH	April 17, 1830
Place of death	Washington, DC