My van wouldn't start, so I jumped it. Started right up. On the way home the charge gauge went all the way over to the left and the speedometer and odometer quit. Was hoping that I had enough power to get to a friend's close by. Lost power and finally coasted into his driveway. When I got there I found smoke coming from under the van. (Thought it was the alternator or the battery) The smoke completely baffled me. Anyone got any ideas? It ran great before.

Use a DVOM and check the battery voltage. Check if the top blew on the battery caution the acid will eat a hole in your cloths. Wash with water if the battery went.
Otherwise look closely for other problems.