Morgan Lewis Smith - Biography

Biography

Smith was born in Oswego County, New York. In 1843 he settled in Indiana, and later had some military experience in the United States Army. At the outbreak of the Civil War he raised the 8th Missouri Volunteer Infantry, of which he was elected Colonel in 1861. He commanded a brigade at the capture of Fort Donelson, and performed well at Shiloh. At these two battles his losses included only dead and wounded, none missing or captured. This was a testimony to Smith's leadership, considering other commands lost thousands to skulkers and prisoners during both battles.

In July 1862 he was made a brigadier general of volunteers and served under Sherman in the Vicksburg Campaign. At the Battle of Chickasaw Bayou he received a severe wound, from which he would not recover until October 1863. He rejoined the Army of the Tennessee before Chattanooga.

He led his division in the battle of Chattanooga, and in the following year's Atlanta Campaign. During the Battle of Atlanta he temporarily commanded the XV Corps when John A. Logan assumed command of the Army of the Tennessee after James B. McPherson's death. He returned to command his division at the battle of Ezra Church but was soon forced to leave active field command due to complications from his wound received at Chickasaw Bluffs. Afterwards he was placed in charge of Vicksburg. General Sherman said of M.L. Smith, "He was one of the bravest men in action I ever knew."

After the Civil War Smith served as U.S. Consul in Honolulu, Hawaii. He died at Jersey City, New Jersey. His brother, Giles Alexander Smith, was also a noted Union general.