John Eugene Smith (not to be confused with John C. Smith) was the oldest of the Generals at age 45. John E. Smith was born in Berne, Switzerland on August 3, 1816. Smith was no stranger to the military, as his father had served as an officer in Napoleon’s army. The Smith family immigrated to the United States when John was just a baby. They settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where Smith was eventually trained as a silversmith and jeweler.
In 1834, when Smith was 18, he moved to St. Louis, Missouri and established himself as a jeweler. In 1836, he married Aimee Massot of St. Louis. They had four children. Around 1840, the Smith family moved to Galena. John opened a jewelry store on Main Street and remained in business for 25 years. Like Rowley, he also held a county office as Treasurer.
Smith was friends with Grant’s brother, Orvil. Together they were active in Republican politics. It was while visiting Orvil at Grant’s Leather Shop that Smith met Ulysses.
When the Civil War started, Smith was serving as aide-de-camp to Governor Yates. He was instrumental in Grant’s appointment as Colonel of the 21st Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment. On July 23, 1861, Smith himself was appointed Colonel by Governor Yates. He was to organize the 45th Illinois Infantry, also called the “Washburne Lead Mine Regiment”. (Shown in the photo is Smith with Field Officers in the Lead Mine Regiment in 1861.) He took part in the battles at Fort Henry, Fort Donelson and also the battle of Shiloh. It was during this time that Smith wrote to his wife, “We are all well and in good spirits but soldiering in earnest is a very different affair from a fourth of July parade I can assure you…”
Smith was appointed Brigadier General in November of 1862. He took part in the Vicksburg, Mississippi campaign as well as the battles at Chattanooga, Tennessee. He also served during the Atlanta campaign and the March to the Sea with General William T. Sherman. Smith played an important role in the capture of Savannah and was subsequently appointed Major General of Volunteers in January 1865.
In one of the pictures, you will see Major Malangton Smith on the left, followed by Lieutenant Col. Jasper Maltby, Col. John E. Smith, and Medical Officer, Dr. Edward Kittoe.
In 1866, Smith served as United States Assessor for the District of Utah. He was stationed at various military posts on the western frontier. He worked with the Native Americans and Mormons in the western district of Utah before retiring from the army in 1881. He then settled in Chicago. Smith died in January 1897 and was buried at Greenwood Cemetery in Galena. As homage to his Civil War days, his tombstone was specially designed to represent a tent.
