Capitol District in Richmond, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
William Smith
Photographed by Kevin W., January 3, 2008
1. William Smith Marker
Virginia.
Born Sep 6th 1797. Died May 18th 1887.
1836-40. 1841-42.
Member of Virginia Senate.
1846-49.
Governor of Virginia.
1841-43. 1853-61.
Member of United States Congress.
1861-62.
Member of Confederate States Congress.
1861-62.
Colonel 49th Virginia Volunteers.
1862-63.
Brig. General Confederate States Army.
1863-64.
Major General Confederate States Army.
1864-65.
Governor of Virginia.
(On back of granite base): Through past three score he entered the military service as Colonel of Virginia Infantry and rose by sheer merit to the rank of Major General. At first Manassas, Seven Pines, the Seven Days Battle, Cedar Mountain, Second Manassas, Sharpsburg, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg his fiery yet cheerful courage was everywhere conspicuous and the only faulth imputed to him by his superiors was a too reckless exposure of his person. Thrice wounded at Sharpsburg, he refused to leave the field, and remained in command of his regiment until the end of that sanguinary engagement.
(On southeast side of granite base): A man of strong convictions,
this page online
(On northwest side of granite base): Called from the army to guide again the destinies of the Commonwealth during 1864-1865. He displayed such energy, resource, and unshaken resolution, as drew to him the heart of the whole southern people. Tried by both extremes of fortune he proved equal to the trial, and died as he had live, a Virginian of Virginians.
Erected 1906.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1908.
Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 37° 32.367′ N, 77° 26.009′ W. Marker was in Richmond, Virginia. It was in the Capitol District. It could be reached from East Broad Street. Marker is located in Capitol Square. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Richmond VA 23219, United States of America.
We have been informed that
Photographed by Kevin W., January 3, 2008
2. William Smith Marker (back)
Regionally, this marker was in Central Virginia. It was also in the American South and specifically in the Upper South. Globally, it was in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: Freedmen's Bureau / Freedman's Bank (within shouting distance of this marker); Governor Edmund Randolph (within shouting distance of this marker); George Washington Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Inauguration of Davis (within shouting distance of this marker); Capitol Cornerstone (within shouting distance of this marker); Harry Flood Byrd (within shouting distance of this marker); Richmond, Virginia Bicentennial (within shouting distance of this marker); John Tyler (about 300 feet away, measured in a
Photographed by Kevin W., January 3, 2008
3. William Smith Marker (southeast side)
Other markers no longer nearby. Thomas J. Jackson, General CSA (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Hunter Holmes McGuire, M.D. (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed).
More about this marker. William Smith served as governor of Virginia from 1841-1843, as well as a U.S. Congressman, a state senator, and a general in the Confederate States Army. He earned the nickname "Extra Billy" in 1831 for repeatedly requesting extra compensation as a mail carrier from Washington to Milledgeville, Georgia.
The sculpture was unveiled on Memorial Day, May 30, 1906. F. William Sievers sculpted a large version of William Ludwell Sheppard's design.
Also see . . .
1. SMITH, William, (1797 - 1887). Biographical Directory of the United States Congress entry for William Smith. (Submitted on January 14, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.)
2. Wikipedia entry for William "Extra Billy" Smith. "William Smith, nicknamed Extra Billy (September 6, 1797 – May 18, 1887)
Photographed by Kevin W., January 3, 2008
4. William Smith Marker (northwest side)
Photographed by Kevin W., January 3, 2008
5. William Smith Marker
Photographed by Kevin W., January 3, 2008
6. William Smith Sculpture
Sculpted by Frederick William Sievers, from a William Ludwell Sheppard design, it was cast by the foundry of Aubry Brothers & Company. The bronze statue is 7 1/2 feet tall on a 9 foot tall granite base.
Photographed by Mark P. Brock-Cancellieri, August 30, 2026
7. pedestal formerly holding William Smith
Credits. This page was last revised on September 1, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 14, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,387 times since then and 156 times this year. Last updated on August 31, 2026, by Mark P. Brock-Cancellieri of Baltimore, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on January 14, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 7. submitted on August 31, 2026, by Mark P. Brock-Cancellieri of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
