Sylvanus Thayer (1 results)

Hardcover. Condition: Very good overall. First edition. Signed at page 53 by Charles Ferguson Smith (1807 - 1862) a career US Army officer who distinguished himself in the Mexican American and the Civil War. Smith's signature appears at the last page of the section titled "Interior Police and Discipline". Smith graduated from the USMA in 1825, and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the 2nd U.S. Artillery. He returned to West Point as an instructor and was appointed Commandant of Cadets. The Commandant serves under the superintendent and is responsible for the administration, discipline, and military training of cadets; he/she is a West Point graduate of unimpeachable character. Smith served with distinction in the Mexican American war under Zachary Taylor and Winfield Scott. In the Civil War he served in Missouri under Brigadier General U.S. Grant, who had been one of his students at West Point; Smith became an invaluable support to Grant early on. He was injured in Savannah, Tennessee, and died just before the Battle of Shiloh (April 1862), where his experience and leadership would have made a significant impact. Original black and gilt ruled leather boards. Boards rubbed, spine mostly chipped away. Internally, inner hinge tender but holding. A previous young owner has practiced his penmanship at the front free end papers; a few pencil marks at rear end papers. 8vo, 91pp, errata, [9] of which 3 are folding. OCLC: 78179006.