Thomas Jefferson Smith
Smith had a checkered history with the Third Arkansas.
A 24 year old farmer, he enlisted as Private and original member of Company E at Champagnolle, Union County, Arkansas and was elected as Fourth Sergeant at Lynchburg, VA on June 20, 1861.
He was promoted to Third Lieutenant later that year and was subsequently promoted to Second Lieutenant sometime between 1862 & 1863.
Lt. Smith was "placed under arrest" on February 14, 1863 on unspecified charges. He was "cashiered" from Confederate service with loss of rank on July 30, 1863 in Virginia and was immediatley "conscripted" back into service as a Private soldier. He was subsequently allowed to transfer to Cobb's Georgia Legion (Cavalry) on September 3, 1863 where his record with the Third Arkansas ends.
Smith survived the war and returned to Arkansas where he died in Union County on February 9, 1893. He is buried in Wesley Methodist Cemetery west of El Dorado, Union County, Arkansas. His grave stone has fallen over and is partially buried.
Photo Courtesy Ronnie Benson
