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Shown here from an old stereo-view card published by Taylor & Huntington in 1865 is a photograph of Civil War General William Farrar Smith. There has been quite bit written about the General’s life, especially about his civil war experiences.
However, us lighthouse buffs would like to know more about his lighthouse days. What we do know is that in 1853 he became a first lieutenant of topographical engineers. He was placed on lighthouse construction service in 1856 and became captain of topographical engineers in July of 1859. It that same year he was also appointed Engineer Secretary of the Lighthouse Board and served in that position in Detroit, Michigan, until April of 1861.
What we’d exactly like to know is what lighthouses did he actually build and what lighthouse projects was he involved in. We do know that many of his personal papers are stored at the Vermont Historical Society Library. If any of our readers can help us out please write to: Editor, Lighthouse Digest, P.O. Box 1690, Wells, ME 04090 or e-mail Timh@lhdigest.com
This story appeared in the October 2003 edition of Lighthouse Digest Magazine. For subscription information about the print edition, click here.
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