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From: "Addie Rickey" <>
Subject: Re: [SMITHSON] "Confederate Veteran" references to P. G. Smithson
Date: Mon, 21 Jan 2008 11:02:53 -0700


Hello to everyone who has an interest in TENNESSEE SMITHSON families. I
would like to correct one of my assumptions about a couple TENNESSEE men who
shared the same initials. One of them is Patrick Gibson SMITHSON and the
other is Paskell Giles SMITHSON. Several of you have websites with entries
and information on these two men.

Please, Please, Please make the following changes on your database/websites
....

Patrick Gibson SMITHSON (b. Nov. 1, 1838 - d. June 9, 1897) had service in
the CSA and was mentioned in the "*Confederate Veteran"* several times.
The following notes *should* appear with Patrick's entry--NOT Paskell Giles
Smithson's entry:
........
*"Confederate Veteran" *... 1894, Vol. II, pg. 40:
"Messrs. P. L. Smithson and J. L. Gee, of Williamson County, Tenn., have
a very pleasant recollection of Gen. John C. Breckinridge at Shiloh. It was
on Tuesday after the fighting of Sunday and Monday. They had been sent early
on detail for some guns, and while in execution of the order they were met
by General Breckinridge, who asked what command they belonged to, and on
being told, he said, "Soldiers, you seem to have had a bad night"--they were
wet from the excessive rains--"and I expect have not had any breakfast."
They promptly responded that they had not.
"Neither have I," said the General, "but I have two biscuits. I will give
one to you two and divide the other with my Aide." They will ever remember
the courtesy and kindness of the eminent Kentuckian."
... 1894, Vol., II, pg. 119:
"J. L. Gee, of the 20th, Franklin, Tenn., ...kept a roster of his company
through the war, noting who were in the battles and the casualties. It was
he and his friend, P. G. Smithson, now in charge of the Tennessee
Confederate Home, with whom Gen. Breckinridge divided his two biscuits at
Shiloh, as reported in February Veteran."
... 1894, Vol. II, pg. 263:
"REUNION OF THE TWENTIETH TENNESSEE...The eighteenth annual reunion of
the Twentieth Tennessee Regiment was held at Gallatin on September 13, upon
the invitation of comrades of old Company F and in connection with the
reunion of the A. C. S. The regiment was formed on the square and marched to
the tune of "Dixie," out to the grounds, where a great multitude was
awaiting the arrival of the procession . The march was a little warm,...
"At the tap of the drum Capt. Smithson, in the absence of our President,
was called to the chair, whereupon he called the regiment to order with J.
H. White as Secretary.
... 1898, Vol. VI, pg. 180:
"At the twentieth reunion, held at Smyrna, in 1896... The following were
reported as having died since the last reunion: Henderson H. Hyde, Capt. P.
G. Smithson, Company D; Ed Watson , William Barnes, John A. Bland, Company
C; Samuel Jamison, Company E; Dick Carey, Company I.
... 1908, Vol. XVI, pg. xxi:
(poem) GALLANT DEAD OF THE MURFREESBORO BATTLE by P. G. Smithson.
..."Comrade Smithson died at the Confederate Soldiers' Home, having gone
there as commandant."
... 1931, Vol. XXXIX, pg. 426:
"Joseph Kennedy Marshall...became a soldier in the War between the
States, joining Company D, 20th Tennessee Infantry, with P. G . Smithson,
Captain of Company...
...................

You will note from one of the entries above that the death of Capt. P. G.
Smithson was reported at the 1896 reunion. He is also reported to have died
at the Confederate Soldiers Home (which was on the property of The Hermitage
in Nashville, Davidson Co. Tennessee). P. G. or "Patrick G. Smithson was
the first Commandant of the Home and served until his death in 1897"
...according to the Agency History Record Group #2 published by the
Tennessee State Library and Archives (available online at TSLA website). For
more information on the Home, see: The TENNESSEE CONFEDERATE SOLDIERS HOME
by Judith A. Strange, pub. 1996.

My problem is that I put the above "Confederate Veteran" references under
Paskell Giles Smithson (1844/46 - 1928) in years past and have just realized
my mistake. Paskell Giles Smithson did NOT die at the Confederate Soldiers
Home in Williamson County --- because the Home was not in Williamson County
but in Davidson County. Also Paskell Giles Smithson did not die until 1928
and may not have even served in the Confederate States Army, thus not
qualifying for a pension, so could not have lived in the Confederate
Soldiers Home. Each soldier had to have been granted a pension to be able
to live there.

Next, I would like to know where Patrick Gibson Smithson is buried. He is
not listed in the Confederate Soldiers Home Cemetery listing, but it would
make sense that he be buried there, I have not found a marriage for him at
this point, either, and he was the first Commandant for the Confederate
Soldiers Home when it was organized and built in 1892.

Have not looked for a probate for him in Davidson County, nor do I have
copies of his service records for the CSA, but have understood that he was
badly wounded in the Battle for Chickamauga. Please let me know if you have
found anything more about him.

Hope all of this makes sense to you and please pass this on to others who
may have copied your web in-put. Do get in touch if you have questions,
corrections ....and especially additional data.

Addie Rickey

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