National War Memorial Registry, War Memorial Catalog Of United States

ANDREW JACKSON SMITH WAS BORN A SLAVE IN LYON COUNTY, KY, ON SEPTEMBER 3, 1843 HE ESCAPED TO THE UNION ARMY AT 19 AND FELL IN WITH 41ST ILLINOIS. WOUNDED IN THE BATTLE OF SHILOH. RECUPERATED AT CLINTON, ILLINOIS, WHERE HE HEARD THAT BLACKS COULD JOIN THE UNION ARMY. HE MUSTERED IN CO. B, 55TH MASS. COLORED INFANTRY MAY 16, 1863. POSTHUMOUSLY AWARDED THE MEDAL OF HONOR IN 2001 FOR GALLANTRY FOR SAVING REGIMENTAL COLORS WHEN COLOR BEARER WAS KILLED AT THE BATTLE OF HONEY HILL IN SOUTH CAROLINA, NOV 30, 1864