Career
Born in 1833 in Sweden, Smith immigrated to the United States and was living in New York when he joined the United States. Navy. He served in the Civil War as a coxswain on the United States Ship Richmond. During the Battle of Mobile Bay on August 5, 1864, he "performed his duties with skill and courage" despite heavy fire.
On board the United States.S. Richmond during action against rebel forts and gunboats and with the ram Tennessee in Mobile Bay, 5 August 1864.