The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-09-01
DEACON RICHARD SMITH.
Some Pleasing "reminiscences Of his Military
Services Daring the Rebellion.

Some Pleasing "Reminiscences OF MS mhtarb
Services Daring the Rebellion.
CINCINNATI, Aug. H.-THE SUN has very
properly given good deal OF attention to Dea-
con Richard Smith, but there Ia one view Of his
character that It has never presented. II Is OF
his career ~ a soldier that would speak.
II was my good fortune to belong to the same
military company that was honored with tue
membership Of Deacon Richard Smith. served
side by side and shoulder to shoulder with him
throughout the war, and can bear personal tes-
time Oily TO his unvaryinR good conduct and uni
IoIm vhor could relate manv stirring tncf-
one AZ all acquainted with that truly good u an
mu ,, know that he never failed in the hour Of
We were members OF the winfield Rifles, a
Don ptny OF nome guards, organized soon after
the attack on Fort Sun:er. Deacon Richard
Smith was amoug the nrst enrolled, and thence
forth be was constant In season and out OF sea-
son. No stress Of weather, no demands Of ex-
acting editorial work, no business however i'm
portant not even Of the church. could keep MIN
away from drill. He would march aud counter
tigue and absolutely regardless OF danger. No
matter how deep the mud-puddles to be gone
through, or how high aud rugged the stone
was never deferred by the fear Of consequences.
with him the call Of duty was imperative.
1t would bave been easy enough for man OF
his high social position and large wealth TO have
evaded the laborous and hsz ardous life Of a
his duty when his country called. lie answered
at roll call as promptly, and shouldered his mus
ket with IA much alacrity, ss IL he had been the
humblest citizen. More than that, with him the
post Of honor was the private station. lie asked
Tor no office. not even 50 much as that Of a cor
poral but quietly and resolutely took position
In the ranks.
Deacon Richard Smith is not a tall man 4; on
the contrary he may he said To De short. As the
men were arranged from right " left according
TO their size, a. required by the tactics. u was
the lot OF the deacon to DO on the left, some
times on the extreme left OF the liue. As the
company was very large, having at TINES a mem
Dership OF considerably over one hundred, II
Was pretty serious matter to wheel II 10y COM
pany into line. Sull this was a necessary evolu-
ton, so that it might become prompt and ready
to present its front to the enemy whenever he
might appear.
After few experiments in wheeling on the
right by company Into line, he Captain seemed
to nave made up his mind to leave that move
ment to about the last OF the evening. The
reason will become obvious when tue fact Is
stated that the swing OF the company was SO
great that the men on the left, being short
legged. were unable to keep pace with the move
ment, aud many Of them fell out Of the ranks.
Not SO With Deacon Richard smith. He would
rather have died than fail. So he made such
Tremendous efforts 10 keep up with the line that
he was often thrown OF at tangent with great
violence. Finally tue CAPTAIN resolved upon
utilizing this peculiar movement Of tue Dea-
cons. IL was arranged that when he was thus
detached from the company he should 20 on
scouting expedition aud report ut the hour Of
dismissal.
Almost every evening Of drill the wheel on the
right by company into line was praetiscd. Unit
fornliy Deacon Richard Smith was secn 10 20 OF
at tangent, and regularly at dismissal be
on mana with "A clear report Of his services Us a
scout. He could succincty tell the quality OF
lager. and HE report was always received with
out dissent, because he cannot tell q lie. Time
fails me, or could relate incident after incident
touching the proves Of the gail ant and patriouc
Deacon Duck, who, In all probability, will receive
the next nom nation Of the Republican part, for
Governor OF Onto, as an acknowledgment Of his
civil and military services In behalf of the
Union. HOME GUARD.