Morgan Lewis Smith was an American military in the American Civil War.
Background
Morgan was born on March 8, 1821 in the town of Mexico, Oswego County, New York, United States, the son of Cyrus and Laura (Wales) Smith, and elder brother of Giles Alexander Smith. His father, a farmer, soon afterwards moved to Jefferson County, New York, with his family.
Education
There is no information about his education.
Career
Leaving home in 1842, Smith settled in Meadville, but before long went to New Albany, and there taught school for about two years.
He enlisted in the United States army in July 1845 under the name of Mortimer L. Sanford, and served for the five-year period of his enlistment as sergeant and drill instructor at the recruit depot, Newport. From 1850 to 1861 he held various positions on steamboats running between Cincinnati, Ohio, St. Louis, and New Orleans, and at the outbreak of the Civil War he organized the 8th Missouri Volunteer Infantry, composed mainly of rivermen and recruits from the rough element in the population of St. Louis.
Appointed colonel, July 7, 1861, he soon brought his regiment to a high state of discipline, training, and combat efficiency. After conducting an expedition against guerrillas in southern Missouri, he joined the army of Ulysses Simpson Grant, and at Fort Donelson, in command of a brigade composed of his own and another regiment, he successfully stormed a strong position held by the enemy. He commanded a brigade in the expedition up the Tennessee River, and in the Shiloh and Corinth campaigns. His command bore the principal part in the battle at Russell's House, May 17, 1862, where his conduct won commendation from Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman.
He was appointed brigadier-general of volunteers, July 16, 1862. He took part in Sherman's expedition against Vicksburg after active service in Tennessee and northern Mississippi. While reconnoitering the enemy's position on Chickasaw Bluffs, December 28, 1862, he received a gunshot wound that disabled him until October 6, 1863. On that date he returned to duty as commander of the 2nd Division, XV Corps, and bore a distinguished part in the assault and capture of Missionary Ridge, and the subsequent movement for the relief of Knoxville.
He further distinguished himself for skill and gallantry in the operations against Atlanta, and was temporarily in command of the XV Corps, July 23-28, 1864. The rigors of this campaign caused such irritation of his old wound as to permanently incapacitate him for field service. He was on sick leave from August 17 to September 27, 1864. He remained at Vicksburg until the close of the war, resigning his commission, July 12, 1865. Resigning, he declined the governorship of the Colorado Territory and engaged in business in Washington.
He died suddenly at Jersey City, New Jersey, United States, where he was a visitor.
Achievements
Personality
He was a natural leader, magnetic, resolute, and extraordinarily brave and cool in battle, and he had in an unusual degree the ability to establish discipline in volunteer troops.
Quotes from others about the person
Gen. Lew Wallace, in reporting Smith's conduct of this attack, wrote: "Words cannot do justice to his courage and coolness".
General Sherman said of M. L. Smith, "He was one of the bravest men in action I ever knew. "
Connections
On December. 18, 1866 he married Louise Genella. He had two daughters.