James H. Smith (abt. 1843)

Born about 1843 in New Jersey, United States

Died [date unknown] in Pennsylvania, United States [uncertain]

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Biography

James Smith is a part of US Black heritage.

James H. Smith was born about 1843^[1] in New Jersey^[2][3]. He served with the famous 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry during the US Civil War.

He stood about 5 feet and 6 inches (1.68m) tall with a light complexion, brown eyes, and black hair when he enlisted in 1863.^[2]

Occupations

• 1863^[1]: Laborer

Residences

• 1890: 623 South Sixth, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania^[4]
• 1863: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (military enlistment)^[1]

Military Service

During the Civil War, he served as a Private in Company B of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry of the Union Army, the second^[5] regiment in the United States made up entirely of enlisted men of color. He was about 20 years old, married and working as a laborer when he enlisted on 14 March 1863 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Mustered out 20 August 1865 with his regiment.^[1]

Note: There is also a Corporal James H. Smith in Co. I

Company Remarks

See also Images.

6 November 1863

Private James Smith Reported "daily duty" officer [illegible]

2 September 1863

Private James Smith returned from Hospital at Beaufort S.C. on detached [illegible] For duty

Research Notes

Raymoure-1 17:58, 29 January 2023 (UTC): There is a James H. Smith in the 1891 Philadelphia city directory with an address of 423 S 6th that might be him. He's associated with the oysters industry.

Projects

• 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3} Emilio, McKay Roster
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1} Regimental descriptive roll
3. ↑ Note: A birth city is also given in the descriptive roll but it's difficult to read. Could be Woodbury though Woodbury wasn't founded until 1864, could be something like Woodking? Might also not start with "Wood."
4. ↑ 1890 US Veterans Schedules
5. ↑ and the first with federal recognition; the 1st Kansas Colored Volunteer Infantry regiment was against the wishes of the Secretary of War and filled only six companies, but did see action a full year before the 54th

• 1890 United States Veterans Schedules for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Emilio, Luis Fenollosa. History of the Fifty-Fourth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, 1863-1865, Boston, Massachusetts: Boston Book Co., 1891 (1st ed.) and 1894 (2nd ed.)
• Fold3.com. Free Access Civil War Records 1-15 April 2018. 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, Company Remarks.
• Fold3.com. "Records of the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts Infantry Regiment (Colored), 1863-1865." National Archives Catalog #577134. "Regimental and Company Books of Civil War Volunteer Union Organizations, compiled 1861 - 1865." Free Access Civil War Records 1-15 April 2018.