Civil War soldier Alfred Henry Smith

The Smith family has a Civil War veteran. His name is Alfred Henry Smith. He was the father of James Elliott Smith and the grandfather of Albert and Margaret Jane Smith. Born Jan. 1840 in Saline Co, Illinois. He was the son of Giles and Lucinda Smith. His grandfather, John H. Smith came from Virginia, moved to Tennessee and then into southern Illinois in the 1820's.

Alfred Henry Smith joined the Union Illinois 131st Infantry, Co. F on Nov. 13, 1862 where he attained the rank of Corporal. The Infantry joined the Central Mississippi Campaign, where on June 9, 1863 he was captured by Confederate troops after the battle of Millikan's Bend, Louisiana. He was sent to Richmond, Virginia as a prisoner of war. On July 19, 1863 he was paroled and sent to Benton Barracks, Missouri, a Union Camp (These paroled prisoners were released by Confederate authorities on the condition they would "not bear arms against Southern forces until the expiration of parole".) In Sept. 1863, when the 131st Infantry was reorganized, he left for home.

He married Sarah Elizabeth Elliott, daughter of Joseph Elliott and Harriett Prewitt in about 1866. They had 5 children, James Elliott, Margaret, William, Joseph and Austin. He died sometime between 1900 and 1910 in Hardin Co, Ill.