Although largely forgotten today, during a long and active life William "Extra Billy" Smith was one of the best known men in Virginia.
A businessman and lawyer, two term Governor of Virginia, and member of the Virginia House of Delegates and the Virginia State Senate, he was in the US and CS Houses of Representatives for a total of six terms, served as a Colonel and then a General in the Confederate army, and lived for three and a half years in California during the gold rush.
Confederate artilleryman Richard Stiles wrote: "I grew well acquainted with glorious old 'Extra Billy' Smith, soldier and governor by turns, a very different and very racy character, who was a good deal talked about. He was one of the best specimens of the political general, rising ultimately to the rank of major-general; a born politician, twice Governor of the Commonwealth, already beyond the military age, yet one of the most devoted and enthusiastic soldiers in the service. As a soldier he was equally distinguished for personal intrepidity and contempt for what he called "tactics" and for educated and trained soldiers, whom he was wont to speak of as 'those West P'int fellows'."
The following pages will introduce you to Extra Billy. His own words are in bold print while other's quotes are in quotation marks " ". Some of the quotes have been condensed, but without changing the meaning in any way. The pictures can be enlarged by clicking your mouse on the picture. Any questions or comments can be directed to extrabillysmith@hotmail.com
