Alfonso Frederick  "Fonz" Smith (1841-1914)

Lieut. Alfonzo F. Smith
On March 24, 1914, at his home in Clarksville, Tenn., Lt. Alfonzo Frederick Smith rested from earth's long warfare and passed to "where these voices there is peace."  His record as a Confederate soldier is one to be proud of.  He enlisted in November, 1861, in Company A, 49th Tennessee Infantry, under Col. J. E. Bailey, and was elected lieutenant.  He was captured with his regiment at Fort Donalson in February, 1862, and was a prisoner at Johnson's Island until September, 1862, when he was exchanged.  On the reorganization of the regiment he was again elected a lieutenant in Company A, but was afterwards transferred to the staff of Brigadier General Quarles as acting inspector general; and after a year he was made acting inspector general on the staff of General Walthall, commander of the division.  He was actively engaged in the campaignes and battles of his commands at Port Hudson, Jackson, Miss., in Georgia in 1864, at Franklin, Nashville, and Bentonville, N. C., where he was wounded in 1865.  Throughout all he bore himself with conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty.

 

After the war, Comrade Smith engaged in the tobacco business at Clarksville and Louisville, Ky.  In New York for fourteen years he was inspector of tobacco, and he had held the same position at Clarksville since 1890.  On April 22, 1861, he was married to Miss Imogene Herring at Paris, Ill.  To them seven children were born, only two of whom (Miss Mable Walton Smith and Mrs. James S. Imogene Lupton), with their mother, survive.  In 1911 his golden wedding was celebrated very happily, his wedding suit and Confederate uniform being in evidence.

 

It was my privilege to know "Fonz" Smith for many years in camp, on the march, on the field of battle, in civil life and business, and I never knew a more thorough gentleman, courteous, courageous, chivalrous, brave without bluster, gentle and kind without ostentation, honest and upright.  His word was his bond.  He was devoted to duty as he saw it, yet withal charitable in his judgements of others.  He was deeply interested in his old comrades and anxious to secure a true history of their suffering and sacrifices for our righteous cause.  He was a man I could count on.

 

Sketch by Rev. James. H. McNeilly, Confederate Veteran magazine, 1914