Career
Born in 1827, in New York, Smith joined the Navy from that state. He served in the Civil War as an ordinary seaman on the United States Ship Richmond (CG-20). During the Battle of Mobile Bay on August 5, 1864, he manned an artillery gun on the topgallant forecastle (a deck at the top of the ship"s forecastle).
When Richmond became engaged with the Computer Software Systems Tennessee, Smith fired his musket into the Confederate ship"s gun ports.
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. Cool and courageous at his station throughout the prolonged action, Smith rendered outstanding service at the 100-pounder rifle on the topgallant forecastle and while firing his musket into the gun ports of the rebel Tennessee.
