Edward Smith

Son of a prosperous farmer, in 1860 he was a 23 year old student living with his parents, 5 younger siblings, and 21 slaves on their plantation near Charlotte in Mecklenburg County, NC. He enlisted on 3 April 1861 in Ranaleburg, NC and mustered as a Private in Company B of the 3rd North Carolina Infantry on 13 May in Raleigh. The regiment was re-designated the 13th North Carolina Infantry on 14 November 1861. He was promoted to 4th Sergeant on 26 July 1862.

He was with his company in Maryland and Lieutenant Colonel Ruffin later wrote that he was "worthy of promotion" for his actions at Fox's Gap on South Mountain on 14 September 1862.

He was appointed 3rd Lieutenant on 23 December (to date fro 27 September) 1862 and promoted to 2nd Lieutenant on 27 February 1863. He was wounded and captured at Gettysburg, PA on 3 July 1863, held briefly at Fort McHenry and Fort Delaware, then sent to Johnson's Island, OH on 18 July 1863. He was transferred to Point Lookout, MD on 14 March 1865 and on to Cox's Landing on the James River, VA on 21 March for exchange. He was captured again, three days later at Buckhannon, WV (?) and sent to Camp Chase, OH. He took an oath of allegiance there on 13 June 1865 and was released.

His service from Moore's Roster 1 and his Compiled Service Records,2 online from fold3. The quote above from Lieutenant Colonel Ruffin's after-action report. Personal details from family genealogists and the US Census of 1860.

c. 1838; Steele Creek, NC