William Smith

"Extra Billy"
(1797 - 1887)
Home State: Virginia
Command Billet: Commanding Regiment
Branch of Service: Infantry
Unit: 49th Virginia Infantry

Before the Antietam Campaign:
Pre-War Profession: Lawyer, mail coach operator, politician, US congressman, governor. His nickname was given for the extra payments he received in his mail coach business.

In August 1861 he was appointed Colonel of the 49th Virginia Regiment and fought at First Manassas. He was elected to the Confederate congress, and led his Regiment on the Peninsula campaign, at the Seven Days, and at Second Manassas.

In the Antietam Campaign:
In command of the 49th VA Regiment part of Early's Brigade in Ewell's Division and took command of the Brigade when BGen Early moved up to take command of the Division.

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