Perils of War, Heartbreak of Parents

Albert M. Smith was the first born son of Ferguson Hale smith and his 3^rd wife, Catherine Melton. He was born about 1842. When the Civil War broke out Albert M. Smith volunteered and enlisted on 25 August 1861. He was twenty years old. He signed on with Capt. Kelly Company, Chesterfield Artillery, SC Light Artillery formerly Coit's Co., Light Art'y, S.C. Vols.[1]

On 11 December 1861[2], not yet 21 years of age, Albert M. Smith died in service to his country.  Currently, it is not known how Albert M. Smith died but its most likes as a result of disease; nor, has a tombstone been found for him or his place of burial.

On 4 February 1862, Ferguson Hale Smith submitted a letter [3] registering a claim with the War Department for any pay due his son, Albert M. Smith, deceased.

Ferguson Hale Smith Letter to War Department, image 7, partial page

The War Department received his claim on 14 February 1862. They determined that Albert M. Smith was due $71.36 in back pay and issued directive No. 327.[4]

Albert M. Smith Civil War Service Record, image 12, partial page

Albert M Smith's full military record from the Civil War consists of 18 pages. Seventy-one dollar is such a small price for a budding young man life. Certainly, he deserved a Memorial, somewhere near the place he grew up in Chesterfield County, SC.

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[1] IArchives, "Civil War Service Records" database, (http://www.fold3.com : accessed 25 March 2012), entry for Albert M. SMITH, Pvt.; Capt Kelly's Light Artillery; Confederate.

[2] IArchives, "Civil War Service Records" database, (http://www.fold3.com : accessed 25 March 2012), entry for Albert M. SMITH, Pvt.; Capt Kelly's Light Artillery; Confederate, images 3, 6 & 12 of 18.

[3] IArchives, "Civil War Service Records" database, (http://www.fold3.com : accessed 25 March 2012), entry for Albert M. SMITH, Pvt.; Capt Kelly's Light Artillery; Confederate, image 7 of 18.

[4] IArchives, "Civil War Service Records" database, (http://www.fold3.com : accessed 25 March 2012), entry for Albert M. SMITH, Pvt.; Capt Kelly's Light Artillery; Confederate, image 12 of 18.