Side A: Ovid Wellford Smith, aged 16, enlisted in the 2nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry as James Smith. He volunteered for the 1862 “Andrews’ Raid” mission to destroy Confederate supply lines. Enroute Smith became ill and was detained near Huntsville, Alabama, prior to the April 12 capture of “The General” locomotive at Big Shanty, Georgia. He escaped and made his way back to rejoin his Army unit. On July 6, 1864, Smith and 5 other raiders were awarded the Medal of Honor. He mustered out October 1864 at the rank of corporal, after participating in the Battles of Chickamauga, Chattanooga, and Missionary Ridge.
Side B: PVT Ovid Wellford Smith: Section C. Civil War–Participated in Andrew’s Raid, April 1862. 1LT Frederick Phisterer: Section B. Civil War–Rallied a battalion preventing its destruction at Stones River, December 1862. CPL Clinton Greaves: Section 27. Indian Campaigns–Led unit to safety after surprise attack by superior force, January 1877. SGT Stanislaus Roy: Section 51. Indian Campaigns–“Volunteer Watering Party” at Little Big Horn, June 1876. CPT Edward V. Rickenbacker: Section 54. World War I–Shot down enemy aircraft “above and beyond the call of duty,” September 1918.
Slide toward Today to fade the historical sheet and see the modern map underneath.