The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1896-08-06
SEIZED AN OPPORTUNITY.
Wilson Smith Rendered Appreciated Service
at Little Washington.


commissioned officer took command OF gun
(the Lieutenant in charge having dlsap-
peared) and fired the same so rapidly ana
effectually that the enemy were repulsed;
although for a time hand to- hand conflict
with the enemy was had over the gun"
A statement of the circumstances leading
up to and which eliminated in the pTesenta-
ton of this badge of merit will be OF interest.
Wilson Smith was born at Oriskany Fails
Oneida County, Sept. Z, 1S4l, and was II
years of age at the time the principal events
occurred. He enlisted in the Grennelie Light
Infantry at Madison, n. Y, Sept. Z, 1861, tor
three years or during the war, and IN NO
vember his company was attached to the 81
N. Y. L. A., and named Battery III. Capt.
Riggs, of Rome, was the commander. The
regiment performed garrison duty at Fort
Cochran and other forts about Washington,
D. c., until the Spring of 1862, when 1t was
located at New Berne, N. c., where 1T re-
manned until the 1st OF September Soon
after its arrival at New Berne, Smith was
detailed by Col. Ledlie to act as member
of the color guard, stationed at Regimental
Headquarters, and excused from duty with
Battery H.
Whenever bis duties at Headquarters
would permit Smith voluntarily visited his
battery and drilled whit On Sunday, Sept.
4, 1862, he visited camp and was invited by
Capt. Riggs to participate in battery drill.
He accepted, and while so engaged the bat
terry was ordered to embark for Little Wash
ington, N. G.. Capt. Riggs undertook to pro-
cure permission for Smith to accompany 1t,
but forgot TO do it, and that evening they
started for Little Washington, n. c., which
point was reached the next noon. Smith was
suffering from disorder which became so
serious that the Surgeon ordered him to re-
turn to New Berne, but he failed to obey.
Before daylight of Sept. 6, 1862, the men,
who were encamped in the streets, were
ordered to fall in, and an expedition, consist
ing of Battery III, four guns, detachment OF
cavalry and infantry and supply train,
started for some point to the men unknown.
The morning was dark and toggy. Several
gunboats lay in the stream, the men on
board being asleep. The gun to which
Smith was attached was separated from the
others, it being preceded by supply wagons
and followed by q small detachment OF
cavalry. At this time Battery II had never
been in an engagement. Alter the column
had moved six or seven blocks firing was
heard to the left. Then mounted officer
appeared, shouting that the town bad been
surprised by large force of COntederates.
nouncement Some of the citizens opened
their doors, and by the flashes of light that
issued from within overturned wagons and
others dashing away to the right could be
seen. The column ahead was in complete
confusion. The cavalry following MAIN
tanned their discipline. The order of the
commanding officer, Steady, men," could be
plainly heard.
The follOwing-named persons were with
the gun at this time: Cerp'l Wilson Smith,
Albert Mott, Lee Center; John Malone,
Rome: Charles Marchand, Lee Center; John
McCrehan, Rome; Anthony Lager, Rome.
| The gun being without officers, Corp'l Smith
assumed command and proceeded rapidly III
| the direction Of the firing.
| After proceeding some blocks they came
upon and passed, at intervals of streets, the
remainder of the battery numbered and
ready for action. They continued until
they arrived at River street, where the gun
was unlimbered and loaded with canister.
| The artillerymen were unsupported.
As the men finished loading the Jog began
to rise, and body of men filling the entire
street and numbering 900 was discovered
marching rapidly toward the gun and about
100 feet distant. Corpl Smith hesitated
not knowing who they were. Just then
Aoi't Guiero, of the Sd N. Y. Cav, rode
up and said:
"Young man, why don't you fire?'
Smith replied: 81 don't know who they
are" Quite right" he said; "Ill soon see, ,
and advanced upon them. In an instant
he wheeled and shouted: AIN Gods name,
fire."
Smith gave the order, and in few min
utes 10 charges of canister were hurled
against the advancing men, who halted and
then rapidly retreated in the direction
whence they came Up to this time moi
one Of the small detachment had beer
injured, except Smith, who received 6
slight abrasion of the ear. The gun was
then limbered, and followed the COnfed
crates up the street to the next block, wher,
the Tar River bridge provides an entrances
to the town.
Upon arriving at the corner the retreatnt
Confederates were discovered mixed in con
fusion with another regiment which bat
been following them. The officers were en-
deavoring to rally and reform the lines
Smith and his compatriots attempted to I'M
timber the gun, but the horses, in making {
short turn about the entrance to the bridge
became stalled, and the gun remained fast
Just then the Confederates discharged :
volley, q portion of which struck the whee
horses, causing them TO plunge and reel, en-
abing the men to unlimber the gun. Be
fore it could be loaded the Confederate
were upon them with their bayonets.
hand hand fight ensued in front of tn
gun, in which Smith took part
Meanw while John Malone and John Nc
Creban loaded the gun with canister. 1
was Immediately discharged and the stree
was rapidly cleared. Several discharge
followed. Within few minutes every mar
at The gun was killed or wounded, excep
John Malone and Wilson Smith. Two sol
diers from Battery G., one named Lincoln
the other Albert Willard, three members O
Potter's N. c. Inf, and three members of tn
!, Sd N. Y. Cav. joined the survivors and as
sisted in working the gun.
The COnfederates in considerable number
had entered the grounds of the residence 0
, Ex-Governor Grice, of North Carolina, ant
; poured volley after volley into the detach
2 ment The last charge left was solid sho.
! All Of the volunteers had been killed o
wounded. Malone and Smith loaded tn
3 gun for the last time, Malone ramming hom
5 the charge and Smith discharging the gun
Smith was shot through the knee just befor
the last load was inserted.
? Immediately following the last discharg
I Malone was shot through the body, paraly
sis of the legs ensuing. He threw his arm
about Smith, who, with the aid of his sabel
carrying Malone ON his back, hObbled to tn
= bridge stairs amid rain of bullets, an
4 went down to the waters edge, where the