(GUSTAVUS A. SMITH) (1820-1885) Union brigadier general, as colonel he led the 35 Illinois, wounded at Pea Ridge, later served in guarding critical railroad routes. A historic group of three war-date retained telegrams "G.W. Smith", adding rank, totaling 4pp. legal folio, Goldsboro, [N. C.], written between Dec. 22, 1862 and Jan. 3, 1863 to Confederate Generals W. H. C. Whiting and Samuel G. French concerning the Confederate army's preparation to meet the Union army's advance into interior North Carolina, reading, in part: "...[Dec. 22, 1862 to Gen. Whiting]...the enemy is believed to have all arrived in Newbern yesterday, do you wish Clingman's Brigade sent back...[Jan. 3, 1863 to Gen. French]...concentrate all your forces near Weldon and Rocky Mount ready to move in any direction, except Colston's brigade...which will be left to guard Petersburg...Beauregard will reinforce Wilmington and that Lee will place troops in position to guard Richmond and Petersburg...the cipher telegram of yesterday directed you to move to Goldsboro...have the troops of Daniel's brigade...sent from here to Goldsboro...I am endeavoring to obtain additional troops from Lee's army for service in North Carolina...". Removed from Smith's personal military order book with other telegrams secretarially signed by Smith adding rank. Minor toning, else very good.