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Here is his citation:
The
President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, March
3, 1863, has awarded in the name of The Congress the Medal of Honor to
CORPORAL
ANDREW JACKSON SMITH
UNITED
STATES ARMY
for
conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond
the call of duty:
Corporal
Andrew Jackson Smith, of Clinton, Illinois, a member of the 55th Massachusetts
Voluntary Infantry, distinguished himself on 30 November 1864 by saving
his regimental colors, after the color bearer was killed during a bloody charge
called the Battle of Honey Hill, South Carolina.
In the late afternoon, as the 55th Regiment pursued enemy
skirmishers and conducted a running fight, they ran into a swampy area backed
by a rise where the Confederate Army awaited.
The surrounding woods and thick underbrush impeded infantry movement and
artillery support.
The 55th and 54th regiments formed columns to advance on the enemy
position in a flanking movement.
As the Confederates repelled other units, the 55th and 54th regiments
continued to move into flanking positions.
Forced into a narrow gorge crossing a swamp in the face of the
enemy position, the 55th's Color-Sergeant was killed by an exploding shell, and
Corporal Smith took the Regimental Colors from his hand and carried them
through heavy grape and canister fire.
Although half of the officers and a third of the enlisted men engaged in
the fight were killed or wounded, Corporal Smith continued to expose himself to
enemy fire by carrying the colors throughout the battle.
Through his actions, the Regimental Colors of the 55th Infantry Regiment
were not lost to the enemy.
Corporal Andrew Jackson Smith's extraordinary valor in the face of
deadly enemy fire is in keeping with the highest traditions of military service
and reflect great credit upon him, the 55th Regiment, and the United States
Army.
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