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 [decorative delimiter] Class of 1823

Vol. I
p312
347

(Born N. Y.)

Joseph R. Smith

(Ap'd N. Y.)

22

Military History. — Cadet at the Military Academy, June 24, 1819, to July 1, 1823, when he was graduated and promoted in the Army to

Second Lieut., 2d Infantry, July 1, 1823.

Served: in garrison at the Sault St. Marie, Mich., 1823‑25; on Recruiting service, 1825‑26; on Topographical duty, Apr. 4, 1826, to June 25, 1828; in garrison at Hancock Barracks, Me., 1828‑29, — and Sackett's Harbor, N. Y., 1829‑31, 1831‑32; on "Black Hawk Expedition," 1832,

(First Lieut., 2d Infantry, Mar. 22, 1832)

but not at the seat of war;​a in garrison at Ft. Mackinac, Mich., 1832‑33, — and Ft. Brady, Mich., 1833‑35; as Adjutant, 2d Infantry, at Regimental headquarters, Sep. 17, 1835, to May 8, 1838; in the Florida War, 1837‑38; on Recruiting service, 1838‑39; in the Florida War against

(Captain, 2d Infantry, Apr. 26, 1838)

the Seminole Indians, 1839‑42, being engaged in the Attack of Hawe Creek Camp, Jan. 25, 1842; in garrison at Sackett's Harbor, N. Y., 1842‑46, — and Ft. Columbus, N. Y., 1846; in the War with Mexico, 1846‑47, being engaged in the Siege of Vera Cruz, Mar. 9‑29, 1847, — Battle of Cerro Gordo, Apr. 17‑18, 1847, — Skirmish of Ocalaca, Aug. 16,

(Bvt. Major, Apr. 18, 1847,
for Gallant and Meritorious Conduct in the Battle of Cerro Gordo, Mex.)

1847, — Battle of Contreras, Aug. 19‑20, 1847, — and Battle of Churubusco,

(Bvt. Lieut.‑Col., Aug. 20, 1847, for Gallant and Meritorious Conduct
in the Battles of Contreras and Churubusco, Mex.)

Aug. 20, 1847, where he was severely (twice) wounded; in garrison at Sackett's Harbor, N. Y., 1848‑50; on Recruiting service, 1850‑51;

(Major, 7th Infantry, June 11, 1851)

and on sick leave of absence, 1851‑62.

Retired from Active Service, Sep. 25, 1861,
for Disability resulting from Wounds received in Battle.

Served during the Rebellion of the Seceding States, 1862‑66; as Mustering and Disbursing Officer for the State of Michigan, Jan. 3, 1862, to June 11, 1864; as Military Commander of the District of Michigan, Oct., 1862, to June 11, 1864; as Asst. Commissary of Musters of Northern

(Bvt. Colonel, Apr. 9, 1865, for Meritorious Services during the Rebellion)

(Bvt. Brig.‑General, U. S. Army, Apr. 9, 1865, for long and Faithful Services)

Department, June 11, 1864, to June 27, 1865, — and of the Department of the Ohio, June 27 to Nov. 25, 1865.

Served as Commissary of Musters, Department of the Ohio, Nov. 25,  p313 1865, to Aug. 6, 1866, — and of the Department of the Lakes, Aug. 6, 1866, to Sep. 3, 1868.

Died, Sep. 3, 1868, at Monroe, Mich.: Aged 67.


Thayer's Note:

a The phrase "but not at (the) seat of war" occurs frequently in the Register in connection with the Black Hawk War; the explanation in most cases is the one given in the biographical sketch of James Monroe (q.v.).


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