When their nation called . . .
These men were the first to respond . . .
Following the attack on Fort Sumter, President Abraham Lincoln, now faced the greatest crisis to ever befall the young American nation, issued a proclamation calling upon 75,000 Northern volunteers to suppress the hostile Southern rebellion. Throughout Northern towns and cities thousands of men, young and old, left home and family to begin their journey as American soldiers. Among the first to respond were five companies of volunteer militia from the Pennsylvania counties of Schuylkill, Berks, Lehigh, and Mifflin. Within a few days, these companies, numbering just over five hundred men, marched into Washington and into history as the very first troops to reach the capital following the start of the American Civil War. Now, for the first time since 1910, the story of these five "First Defender" companies is told. From their enlistment into service to their harrowing march through the city of Baltimore and through their three-month term of service, First in Defense of the Union traces the history of these companies by relying largely upon the soldiers' letters and diaries. With First in Defense of the Union, Hoptak dramatically brings the story of these five companies vividly to life, and commands attention to their distinguished and illustrious place in American History.
William H. Smith was a First Defender.
According to his Civil War papers, William was a moulder. He was 5'9"tall, dark complexion, black eyes and dark hair. He was wounded on May 31, 1862-June 1, 1862 in the hand at the battle of Fair Oaks. William's death was caused by the amputation of his left leg due to wounds received at the battle of Cold Harbor. He had been shot in the leg with grape shot and minnie balls on June 1, 1864. He died in Washington, D. C. at 2:00 pm in the hospital there.
By June 1, Grant moved his army to Cold Harbor, which was located only eight miles northeast from the Confederate capital of Richmond. In sweltering heat and tired out by nearly a month of constant marching and bitter combat, Federal and Confederate soldiers prepared for battle on the
bery doorstep of Richmond. Union assaults late on June 1 against both Confederate flanks gained some ground but failed to crack Lee's line. It was this day that would be the beginning of the end of our William's life.
The Battle of Cold Harbor took place in Virginia on June 3, 1864. More than 50,000 Federal soldiers attacked the Confederates at dawn. In less than 30 minutes, more than 7000 of these men fell. Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia took advantage of their strong entrenchments, sending death through the charging blue-clad ranks. Although he personally ordered many assaults during the war, Ulysses Grant regretted this attack for the rest of his life. For nine days, the killing continued. The only
break from the killing occurred on June 7 during a brief truce to bury decaying corpses. William was admitted to the hospital on June 11, 1864, coming from the Army of the Potomac. William died on June 28, 1864, at 2 o'clock P.M. in the Armory Sq. Hospital in Washington, D. C. William's
residence was listed as 1824 Willow Street, Philadelphia, PA-Frederick G. Weiland (uncle).
Reading Daily Times-July 1, 1864-Obituary
The remains of Private William H. Smith, of Co. H. 23d Regiment Pa-Veteran Volunteers (Segwick's Corps) wounded at the battle of Cold Harbor, who died in consequences of his wounds, were brought to this city yesterday. The funeral will take place this day from the residence of his
Uncle Christian Schick, Esq., in North Ninth street, above Washington. Young Smith first enlisted in the Ringgolds under Capt. McKnight, in the three months service, and was one of the first to respond in the country's call to defend our National Capital. After serving his term he enlisted in the about Regiment-and passed through all the battles of the penisular campaign, and was wounded at the battle of Fair Oaks, from which he recovered, he again rejoined his regiment, and after serving his full term
of three years, he enlisted for three years more. This brave youth has at last fallen victim as many others, bravely defending his country, and his country's flag. All honor to the brave and true. The members of the
Ringgold Light Artillery and such other Military Organizations as are in the city, are respectfully invited to attend the funeral.
These men were the first to respond . . .
Following the attack on Fort Sumter, President Abraham Lincoln, now faced the greatest crisis to ever befall the young American nation, issued a proclamation calling upon 75,000 Northern volunteers to suppress the hostile Southern rebellion. Throughout Northern towns and cities thousands of men, young and old, left home and family to begin their journey as American soldiers. Among the first to respond were five companies of volunteer militia from the Pennsylvania counties of Schuylkill, Berks, Lehigh, and Mifflin. Within a few days, these companies, numbering just over five hundred men, marched into Washington and into history as the very first troops to reach the capital following the start of the American Civil War. Now, for the first time since 1910, the story of these five "First Defender" companies is told. From their enlistment into service to their harrowing march through the city of Baltimore and through their three-month term of service, First in Defense of the Union traces the history of these companies by relying largely upon the soldiers' letters and diaries. With First in Defense of the Union, Hoptak dramatically brings the story of these five companies vividly to life, and commands attention to their distinguished and illustrious place in American History.
William H. Smith was a First Defender.
According to his Civil War papers, William was a moulder. He was 5'9"tall, dark complexion, black eyes and dark hair. He was wounded on May 31, 1862-June 1, 1862 in the hand at the battle of Fair Oaks. William's death was caused by the amputation of his left leg due to wounds received at the battle of Cold Harbor. He had been shot in the leg with grape shot and minnie balls on June 1, 1864. He died in Washington, D. C. at 2:00 pm in the hospital there.
By June 1, Grant moved his army to Cold Harbor, which was located only eight miles northeast from the Confederate capital of Richmond. In sweltering heat and tired out by nearly a month of constant marching and bitter combat, Federal and Confederate soldiers prepared for battle on the
bery doorstep of Richmond. Union assaults late on June 1 against both Confederate flanks gained some ground but failed to crack Lee's line. It was this day that would be the beginning of the end of our William's life.
The Battle of Cold Harbor took place in Virginia on June 3, 1864. More than 50,000 Federal soldiers attacked the Confederates at dawn. In less than 30 minutes, more than 7000 of these men fell. Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia took advantage of their strong entrenchments, sending death through the charging blue-clad ranks. Although he personally ordered many assaults during the war, Ulysses Grant regretted this attack for the rest of his life. For nine days, the killing continued. The only
break from the killing occurred on June 7 during a brief truce to bury decaying corpses. William was admitted to the hospital on June 11, 1864, coming from the Army of the Potomac. William died on June 28, 1864, at 2 o'clock P.M. in the Armory Sq. Hospital in Washington, D. C. William's
residence was listed as 1824 Willow Street, Philadelphia, PA-Frederick G. Weiland (uncle).
Reading Daily Times-July 1, 1864-Obituary
The remains of Private William H. Smith, of Co. H. 23d Regiment Pa-Veteran Volunteers (Segwick's Corps) wounded at the battle of Cold Harbor, who died in consequences of his wounds, were brought to this city yesterday. The funeral will take place this day from the residence of his
Uncle Christian Schick, Esq., in North Ninth street, above Washington. Young Smith first enlisted in the Ringgolds under Capt. McKnight, in the three months service, and was one of the first to respond in the country's call to defend our National Capital. After serving his term he enlisted in the about Regiment-and passed through all the battles of the penisular campaign, and was wounded at the battle of Fair Oaks, from which he recovered, he again rejoined his regiment, and after serving his full term
of three years, he enlisted for three years more. This brave youth has at last fallen victim as many others, bravely defending his country, and his country's flag. All honor to the brave and true. The members of the
Ringgold Light Artillery and such other Military Organizations as are in the city, are respectfully invited to attend the funeral.
When their nation called . . .
These men were the first to respond . . .
Following the attack on Fort Sumter, President Abraham Lincoln, now faced the greatest crisis to ever befall the young American nation, issued a proclamation calling upon 75,000 Northern volunteers to suppress the hostile Southern rebellion. Throughout Northern towns and cities thousands of men, young and old, left home and family to begin their journey as American soldiers. Among the first to respond were five companies of volunteer militia from the Pennsylvania counties of Schuylkill, Berks, Lehigh, and Mifflin. Within a few days, these companies, numbering just over five hundred men, marched into Washington and into history as the very first troops to reach the capital following the start of the American Civil War. Now, for the first time since 1910, the story of these five "First Defender" companies is told. From their enlistment into service to their harrowing march through the city of Baltimore and through their three-month term of service, First in Defense of the Union traces the history of these companies by relying largely upon the soldiers' letters and diaries. With First in Defense of the Union, Hoptak dramatically brings the story of these five companies vividly to life, and commands attention to their distinguished and illustrious place in American History.
William H. Smith was a First Defender.
According to his Civil War papers, William was a moulder. He was 5'9"tall, dark complexion, black eyes and dark hair. He was wounded on May 31, 1862-June 1, 1862 in the hand at the battle of Fair Oaks. William's death was caused by the amputation of his left leg due to wounds received at the battle of Cold Harbor. He had been shot in the leg with grape shot and minnie balls on June 1, 1864. He died in Washington, D. C. at 2:00 pm in the hospital there.
By June 1, Grant moved his army to Cold Harbor, which was located only eight miles northeast from the Confederate capital of Richmond. In sweltering heat and tired out by nearly a month of constant marching and bitter combat, Federal and Confederate soldiers prepared for battle on the
bery doorstep of Richmond. Union assaults late on June 1 against both Confederate flanks gained some ground but failed to crack Lee's line. It was this day that would be the beginning of the end of our William's life.
The Battle of Cold Harbor took place in Virginia on June 3, 1864. More than 50,000 Federal soldiers attacked the Confederates at dawn. In less than 30 minutes, more than 7000 of these men fell. Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia took advantage of their strong entrenchments, sending death through the charging blue-clad ranks. Although he personally ordered many assaults during the war, Ulysses Grant regretted this attack for the rest of his life. For nine days, the killing continued. The only
break from the killing occurred on June 7 during a brief truce to bury decaying corpses. William was admitted to the hospital on June 11, 1864, coming from the Army of the Potomac. William died on June 28, 1864, at 2 o'clock P.M. in the Armory Sq. Hospital in Washington, D. C. William's
residence was listed as 1824 Willow Street, Philadelphia, PA-Frederick G. Weiland (uncle).
Reading Daily Times-July 1, 1864-Obituary
The remains of Private William H. Smith, of Co. H. 23d Regiment Pa-Veteran Volunteers (Segwick's Corps) wounded at the battle of Cold Harbor, who died in consequences of his wounds, were brought to this city yesterday. The funeral will take place this day from the residence of his
Uncle Christian Schick, Esq., in North Ninth street, above Washington. Young Smith first enlisted in the Ringgolds under Capt. McKnight, in the three months service, and was one of the first to respond in the country's call to defend our National Capital. After serving his term he enlisted in the about Regiment-and passed through all the battles of the penisular campaign, and was wounded at the battle of Fair Oaks, from which he recovered, he again rejoined his regiment, and after serving his full term
of three years, he enlisted for three years more. This brave youth has at last fallen victim as many others, bravely defending his country, and his country's flag. All honor to the brave and true. The members of the
Ringgold Light Artillery and such other Military Organizations as are in the city, are respectfully invited to attend the funeral.
These men were the first to respond . . .
Following the attack on Fort Sumter, President Abraham Lincoln, now faced the greatest crisis to ever befall the young American nation, issued a proclamation calling upon 75,000 Northern volunteers to suppress the hostile Southern rebellion. Throughout Northern towns and cities thousands of men, young and old, left home and family to begin their journey as American soldiers. Among the first to respond were five companies of volunteer militia from the Pennsylvania counties of Schuylkill, Berks, Lehigh, and Mifflin. Within a few days, these companies, numbering just over five hundred men, marched into Washington and into history as the very first troops to reach the capital following the start of the American Civil War. Now, for the first time since 1910, the story of these five "First Defender" companies is told. From their enlistment into service to their harrowing march through the city of Baltimore and through their three-month term of service, First in Defense of the Union traces the history of these companies by relying largely upon the soldiers' letters and diaries. With First in Defense of the Union, Hoptak dramatically brings the story of these five companies vividly to life, and commands attention to their distinguished and illustrious place in American History.
William H. Smith was a First Defender.
According to his Civil War papers, William was a moulder. He was 5'9"tall, dark complexion, black eyes and dark hair. He was wounded on May 31, 1862-June 1, 1862 in the hand at the battle of Fair Oaks. William's death was caused by the amputation of his left leg due to wounds received at the battle of Cold Harbor. He had been shot in the leg with grape shot and minnie balls on June 1, 1864. He died in Washington, D. C. at 2:00 pm in the hospital there.
By June 1, Grant moved his army to Cold Harbor, which was located only eight miles northeast from the Confederate capital of Richmond. In sweltering heat and tired out by nearly a month of constant marching and bitter combat, Federal and Confederate soldiers prepared for battle on the
bery doorstep of Richmond. Union assaults late on June 1 against both Confederate flanks gained some ground but failed to crack Lee's line. It was this day that would be the beginning of the end of our William's life.
The Battle of Cold Harbor took place in Virginia on June 3, 1864. More than 50,000 Federal soldiers attacked the Confederates at dawn. In less than 30 minutes, more than 7000 of these men fell. Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia took advantage of their strong entrenchments, sending death through the charging blue-clad ranks. Although he personally ordered many assaults during the war, Ulysses Grant regretted this attack for the rest of his life. For nine days, the killing continued. The only
break from the killing occurred on June 7 during a brief truce to bury decaying corpses. William was admitted to the hospital on June 11, 1864, coming from the Army of the Potomac. William died on June 28, 1864, at 2 o'clock P.M. in the Armory Sq. Hospital in Washington, D. C. William's
residence was listed as 1824 Willow Street, Philadelphia, PA-Frederick G. Weiland (uncle).
Reading Daily Times-July 1, 1864-Obituary
The remains of Private William H. Smith, of Co. H. 23d Regiment Pa-Veteran Volunteers (Segwick's Corps) wounded at the battle of Cold Harbor, who died in consequences of his wounds, were brought to this city yesterday. The funeral will take place this day from the residence of his
Uncle Christian Schick, Esq., in North Ninth street, above Washington. Young Smith first enlisted in the Ringgolds under Capt. McKnight, in the three months service, and was one of the first to respond in the country's call to defend our National Capital. After serving his term he enlisted in the about Regiment-and passed through all the battles of the penisular campaign, and was wounded at the battle of Fair Oaks, from which he recovered, he again rejoined his regiment, and after serving his full term
of three years, he enlisted for three years more. This brave youth has at last fallen victim as many others, bravely defending his country, and his country's flag. All honor to the brave and true. The members of the
Ringgold Light Artillery and such other Military Organizations as are in the city, are respectfully invited to attend the funeral.
Gravesite Details
Died as a results of wounds received at the Battle of Cold Harbor during the Civil War.
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