Charles Henry Smith – Major General, United States Army

Born at Hollis, Maine, November 1, 1827.

He was made Captain of the 1st Maine Cavalry soon after beginning of Civil War. He rose to Colonel in the spring of 1863, and was active as a Cavalry  officer in the campaigns in Virginia and at Gettysburg that year. He was with Philip Henry Sheridan in operations in May and June 1864 and was one of most efficient Cavalry officers in Army of the Potomac in the campaign against Richmond that year, commanding a brigade of Gregg's Division south and west of Petersburg, and then in the later operations, that resulted in capture of Lee and his army.

For “gallant and meritorious services during the war,” he was breveted Major General, USA, in 1867. He was commissioned Colonel, 28th Infantry, in 1866, and retired in  1891. He died at Washington, DC, July 17, 1902.

He taught school, and studied law at Eastport, Maine. He entered the volunteer service in 1861 and served until 1865; Captain to brevet Major General. He was in  63 battles and engagements and 3 times was wounded; he was mustered out on August 11, 1865. He was admitted to the bar in 1864; was a state senator, Maine, 1866; on July 28, 1866 he was appointed Colonel, 3rd US Infantry; he was transferred to the 19th US Infantry, 1869; he was promoted to brevet Brigadier General and brevet Major General, USA; he retired from active service November 1, 1891.

Medal of Honor. Rank-Organization: Colonel, 1st Maine Cavalry. Place-Date: St Mary's Church, Virginia, 24 June 1864.

He is buried in Section 1, Grave 128-A, Arlington National Cemetery.


SMITH, CHARLES H.

Rank and organization: Colonel, 1st Maine Cavalry. Place and date: At St. Mary's Church, Va., 24 June 1864. Entered service at: Maine. Birth: Hollis, Maine. Date of issue: 11 April 1895.

Citation:

Remained in the fight to the close, although severely wounded.

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