Jacob "Howling Wilderness" Smith-- Part 3: A Recruiting Scheme

He was not a general during the Civil War, but attained rank of brigadier general during the Spanish-American War and the Philippines Insurrection.

While a member of the Invalid Corps, due to his wound at the Battle of Shiloh, he served as an officer in recruiting and mustering in Louisville, Kentucky.  He was reported as being especially good at recruiting black soldiers.

However, this si also when some questionable activities arose.  In the last post I said that he met and married Emma L. Havrety, daughter of a very rich and important man in Louisville.  By 1869, Smith's father-in-law, Daniel Havrety was being sued for fraud in connection with bankruptcy.    Creditors looked into his finances, thinking that he had secretly transferred money to others.

And, guess what, Jacob Smith's assets had risen from $4,000 in 1862 to $40,000 in 1865.  Smith claimed ignorance  of any fraud on the part of his father-in-law, and explained that his sudden wealth came as a result of a bounty brokerage scheme.

And Then.  --Old Secesh