William served as a Major, 1st Delaware Infantry during the Civil War.

He "Died Of Wounds" received in Battle on the Boydton Plank Road near Petersburg, Virginia during the war.

( Bio by: Russ Pickett )

"Case 1097. — Major W. F. Smith, 1st Delaware, received a shot flesh wound of the right thigh, at Hatcher's Run, Virginia, October 27, 1864. Surgeon A. N. Dougherty, Medical Director Second Army Corps, reported: 'Among the wounded I noticed Major Smith being conveyed on a stretcher to the rear, evidently, from his ghastly pallor, severely hurt, and probably suffering much from loss of blood. I accompanied him as far as the ambulances, where, with the assistance of Surgeon J. M. McNulty, U. S. V., and Assistant Surgeon C. Smart, U. S. A., Medical Inspector, I examined the wound and did what seemed necessary. The ball (minie) passed through the right thigh behind the os femoris, a little below the middle, severing the femoral artery but not injuring the bone. Haemorrhage had already been profuse, but was partially restrained by a handkerchief and a leather strap which some one had applied. On consultation it was thought imperatively necessary to cut down upon and tie the vessel in the wound, which I accordingly tied with the assistance above mentioned and that furnished by regimental medical officers in compressing the artery at the groin. The enlarging of the wound quickly brought the upper cut end into view and enabled me to cast a ligature around it; but in order to secure the lower end it was necessary to cut across the sartorius muscle. The femoral vein also required tying. There was still considerable haemorrhage of a dark venous character, which, as its source could not be brought into view, it was judged best to arrest by sponge compresses, the lowest one dipped in solution of persulphate of iron, after which it ceased completely. A bandage was applied and he was sent in an ambulance to the Gurley House, which he reached without molestation. Up to this time (October 30) there has been no return of the haemorrhage. The pulse, which was scarcely perceptible at the wrist, was quite good yesterday. The leg and foot are pale and cold, with some mottling about the instep, and sensibility is quite wanting below the calf. I directed artificial heat, wrapping in flannel and cotton batting, frictions, etc." An entry on the register of the hospital shows that amputation in the middle third of the thigh was afterwards performed, and that the patient died November 6, 1864." -- The Medical and Surgical History of the War of the Rebellion. Part III, Volume II. (3rd Surgical volume) by U. S. Army Surgeon General's Office.