A Soldier's Story The Double Life of a Confederate Spy Civil War Chronicles

This is the story of the Civil War experienced of Isaac N. Smith of Charleston (West) Virginia who joined a militia regiment that became the 22nd Virginia Volunteer Infantry Regiment under the command of George S. Patton, the grandfather of General George Patton of World War II fame.  Isaac, a Confederate officer, was the son of a very prominent Unionist actively promoting the “New State Movement” and this relationship left Isaac Smith in an unenviable position with his “political general” commander. John Floyd.  Smith wrote about his fears regarding his father:

“Vile passions are aroused and terrible scenes yet to be enacted.  West Virginia is to e red with blood before the end.  Wicked and unscrupulous manwith whom he has lived in friendship for years absolutely thirst for his blood, as I truly believe.”

Smith was eventually able to resign his commission, but faced conscription as a private in an army he couldn’t serve as an officer.  He became involved in a Confederate espionage network and survived the war.