William M. Smalley was born in Mansfield, Nottingham, England, in March 1833 (some sources state 1834). He came to the United States in 1840.

In March 1862, he enlisted as a private in Company K, 6th Kansas Cavalry, but was promoted to sergeant the same day. Promoted again to first sergeant in December 1862, Smalley was commissioned a second lieutenant in July 1863. He served with the company until he was mustered out at Leavenworth, Kansas, in March 1865.

The 6th Kansas Cavalry participated in operations in the Indian Territory and Missouri in 1862, including the Battle of Newtonia that September. After taking part in the fighting at Cane Hill and Prairie Grove, Arkansas, later that year, the 6th Kansas returned to operations in the Indian Territory in 1863. Assigned to Fort Smith, Arkansas, in the winter of 1863-64, the Kansans left that post to join General Frederick Steele’s Camden Expedition, and fought at Jenkins Ferry. While escorting supply trains between Fort Smith and Fort Scott that fall, portions of the 6th saw further action at Cabin Creek and Cow Creek. The end of the war found the regiment in Arkansas.

Following the war, Smalley operated a livery stable in Fort Scott, Kansas, and worked as a carpenter in Chicago, Illinois.

Smalley died on November 11, 1918, at Spring Lake, Michigan, and is buried in the Spring Lake Cemetery.

Carte-de-Visite by unknown photographer.

Image Courtesy Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield; WICR 31844