Full Name:
- Donald Chester Stith
Birth Date:
- July 21, 1829
Birth Location:
- Smyrna in the Ottoman Empire, now known as Izmir, Turkey
Parents:
- Undetermined
Education:
- United States Military Academy (1850)
Occupation:
- Military officer
Career Summary:
- Captain (USA)
- Colonel (CSA)
Spouse:
- None
Place of Death:
- Austin, Texas
Date of Death:
- March 18, 1920
Place of Burial:
- Texas State Cemetery, Austin, Texas
Significance:
- Donald Chester Stith was born July 21, 1829, in the ancient city of Smyrna in the Ottoman Empire, now known as Izmir, Turkey.
- Donald C. Stith’s parents were Americans traveling abroad at the time of his birth.
- Donald C. Stith attended the United States Military Academy from September 1, 1846 to July 1, 1850.
- Donald C. Stith ranked last among the forty-four cadets in his class at the United States Military Academy.
- Upon graduating from West Point, Donald C. Stith was brevetted to second lieutenant of infantry and sent to the American West.
- Donald C. Stith was promoted to the full rank of second lieutenant on April 30, 1853.
- Donald C. Stith was promoted to first lieutenant on October 18, 1855.
- After the Civil War erupted, Confederate troops captured Donald C. Stith near Guadalupe, Mexico in late June or early July 1861.
- Confederate Colonel John R. Baylor paroled Donald C. Stith after Confederate troops captured Stith near Guadalupe, Mexico, in 1861.
- Donald C. Stith was promoted to captain with the 5th Infantry on August 8, 1861.
- Donald C. Stith joined the Confederate army in August or September 1861.
- Donald C. Stith was dismissed from the U.S. Army on September 25, 1861.
- Donald C. Stith was a major in the Confederate army by 1862.
- Donald C. Stith served on the staff of Confederate Major General Stephen D. Lee during the Vicksburg Campaign.
- In 1863, Donald C. Stith was promoted to colonel in the Confederate Army, the rank at which he finished the war.
- Donald C. Stith died on March 18, 1920, aged 90, at the Confederate Home at Austin, Texas.
- Donald C. Stith was buried at the Texas State Cemetery in Austin.
- What caused Stith Donald C. Stith to change allegiances during the Civil War remains unknown.
- Donald C. Stith was one of four West Point graduates to fight for the Union during the war before switching sides.