Robert Smith Cavender (CSA)

John and his wife Jane Smith had three sons, John Smith Cavender, 1824-1996; Charles James Cavender, 1828-1832; and Robert Smith Cavender, b.1831. John Smith Cavender was an officer in the Civil War (Union). When his father died, he was furloughed from the army, and then resigned to handle his father's financial affairs. The army did not accept his resignation, and he was dishonorably discharged. He returned to the service, and his good friend W. G. Eliot, pastor and founder of the Unitarian Church, immediately wrote a letter on his behalf. The problem must have been resolved as John Smith Cavender was brevetted Brigadier General. After the war he was active in the St. Louis business community and in Missouri legislature. A divided family---Robert Smith became a Confederate General in the Civil War; he was a farmer in Alton, Illinois.

• Link: [http://stlouis.genealogyvillage.com/Cavender.htm]

Question as to military rank of Robert. Have not found documentation proving he was a general.

Colonel Robert Smith Cavender ("Robert Cavender", “R.S. Cavender” & “Robert S. Cavender”) born August 28, 1831, was the second son said to have been a Colonel in the Civil War and who fought on the opposite side than his brother, Colonel John Smith Cavender, married Caroline M. Atwood (“Caroline Atwood”) of Alton, Madison County, Illinois and in which county they were married, in 1850 he was residing in Alton, Madison County, Illinois, and he died on March 28, 1900 in Alton, Madison County, Illinois. Robert Smith Cavender and Caroline Cavender had a daughter named:

Bertie Cavender ("Bertha Cavender"? & "Alberta Cavender"?) who died during childhood.

Link: http://ininet.org/encyclopedia.html?page=167

Added by D. Glenn 1-7-2015