I am currently in Arkansas and had the opportunity to retrace some of my Great Grandfathers steps from the Civil War.
I have possession of documents showing his enlistment dates and also a document showing the date he was wounded during the Battle of Farmington.
This weekend we drove over to Corinth, Mississippi where William Frame Smith spent his last days with the 26th. Illinois Infantry before becoming a casualty.
I was able to find information at the Corinth Civil War Interprative Center which showed the areas and dates where the different Civil War engagements took place.
We then proceeded to drive to these areas East of Corinth.
Recruit William Frame Smith
SERVICE.--Operations against New Madrid and Island No. 10, February 28-April 8, 1862. Actions at New Madrid March 3, 4 and 6. Union City March 31. Action and capture at Tiptonville April 8. Expedition to Fort Pillow, Tenn., April 13-17. Moved to Hamburg Landing, Tenn., April 17-23. Advance on and siege of Corinth, Miss., April 29-May 30. Reconnaissance toward Corinth May 8. Action at Farmington May 9, the Regiment losing five killed and thirty wounded. May 28th. engaged the enemy one mile from Corinth, the Regiment losing four killed and twenty five wounded.
SERVICE.--Operations against New Madrid and Island No. 10, February 28-April 8, 1862. Actions at New Madrid March 3, 4 and 6. Union City March 31. Action and capture at Tiptonville April 8. Expedition to Fort Pillow, Tenn., April 13-17. Moved to Hamburg Landing, Tenn., April 17-23. Advance on and siege of Corinth, Miss., April 29-May 30. Reconnaissance toward Corinth May 8. Action at Farmington May 9, the Regiment losing five killed and thirty wounded. May 28th. engaged the enemy one mile from Corinth, the Regiment losing four killed and twenty five wounded.
The document below tells of his "1/4 disability due to a gunshot wound to the hand, preventing him from firing a musket" The date shows he was wounded the May 28th. at the Battle of Farmington, but the Battle of Farmington actually occured on the 8th. - 9th. of May.
So this discrepancy will remain a mystery.
William Frame Smith Re-enlisted in 1864 with the 5th. Illinois Cavalry as a Cpl. and remained with that unit until nearly the end of the war in 1865.
The "You are Here" location shows where the action took place on the 8th. - 9th. of May, 1862. This is where these photos were taken.
Some of the brestworks are still visible in the woods at the site. They now appears as small depressions in the earth.
This massive old Oak tree stands at this site. Probably there in 1862.
The National Cemetary at Corinth. Over 4000 unknown Civil War soldiers buried here.
The National Cemetary at Corinth. Over 4000 unknown Civil War soldiers buried here.
