Person:Edmund Kirby Smith (1)

Edmund Kirby-Smith

Mexico City, March 28---The original site of the Aztec Club of 1847, second to the Society of the Cincinnati in point of age among American patriotic societies, has been found here after years of search by Major Otto Holstein and Edmund Kirby-Smith, American residents in Mexico City.

For several decades, the historic spot marking the birthplace of this club and its original home had been lost, perhaps due to the fact that names of streets in Mexico City are changed frequently.

Members of the organization are the oldest sons or nearest blood relatives of officers who participated in the Mexican War, just as members of the Society of Cincinnati are descendants of Revolutionary War veterans.

Major Holstein, Kirby-Smith and Gordon Granger are the only members of the club who live in Mexico. All three are native Kentuckians, Holstein having been born in Lexington and Kirby-Smith and Granger in Louisville.

Kirby-Smith is a son of General Edmund Kirby-Smith, who has gone down in American history as a famous Civil War General. General Kirby-Smith was in command of the Trans-Mississippi Department of the Confederate Army, with headquarters at Shreveport, La. and was the last Confederate General to surrender.

Ephraim Kirby-Smith, Uncle of the present member of the Aztec Club of 1847, was killed in the Battle of Chapultepec during the Mexican War.

Edmund Kirby-Smith, Jr, a son, is a Lt. in the U.S. Navy.

The original home of the club, which now has been located, once was the residence of Senor Boca Negra, former minister to the US from Mexico and was near the headquarters of General Winfield Scott, Commander in Chief of the American Army, which at the time of organization, October 13, 1847, was in possession of Mexico City. The building is located at the streets now called Cinco de Mayo and Isabel la Catolica. The club was formed originally by officers of the American Army as a place for recreation.

E. Kirby Smith, born at Louisville, Ky., 28 Aug 1866.
Father: Gen. E. Kirby Smith, born in Florida, now deceased.
permanent residence: Sewanee, Tennessee
Last left the U.S. 23 Mar 1917, arriving in Mexico City, 30 Mar 1917, where I am now residing for the purpose of Contractor & Engineer (on behalf of myself). Have resided in Mexico from 1888 to date, with frequent visits to the United States.
Intend to return to the United States within 2 yrs, "when business permits."

Sworn at U.S. Consulate General, Mexico City, 28 Feb 1920.

Description: 53 yrs, 5'9", high forehead, brown eyes, straight nose, moustache, round chin, gray hair, fair complexion, round face.

A. Cunliffe, resident of Mexico City, swears he has known E. Kirby Smith personally for 5 years. Address: Hotel Imperial, Mexico City, Mexico.

Kirby-Smith, Edmund (Virginia) h1331 E Ocean blvd