Early Life
Edmund Kirby Smith was born at St. Augustine, Florida on May 16, 1824. He was the third child and second son of Connecticut natives Joseph Lee Smith and Frances (Kirby) Smith. Smith’s grandfather, Ephraim Kirby, served as an officer in George Washington’s army during the American Revolution. Smith’s father, Joseph Lee Smith, was a lieutenant colonel in the War of 1812. In the early 1820s, the elder Smith moved his family to Florida, where he received an appointment as a U.S. district judge.
U.S. Military Academy Cadet
In 1836, Smith’s parents sent him to Hollowell’s preparatory school in Alexandria, Virginia. Five years later, following in the steps of his older brother Ephriam, Smith received an appointment to the United States Military Academy. During his years at the academy, Smith acquired the nickname “Seminole” because of his native state. Smith graduated from West Point in 1845, twenty-fifth in his class.
U.S. Military Officer – Mexican-American War
Smith began his military career as a brevet second lieutenant in the 5th Infantry on July 1, 1845. In less than one year, he was engaged in combat during the Mexican-American War (April 25, 1846–February 2, 1848). On August 22, 1846, officials promoted Smith to the rank of second lieutenant in the Seventh Infantry. During the Mexican-American War, Smith received a brevet promotion to first lieutenant for “gallant and meritorious conduct” in the Battle of Cerro Gordo on April 18, 1847. Later that year, on August 20, he received a brevet promotion to captain for his service at the Battles of Contreras and Churubusco.
