When the Star of the West was fired upon at Charleston Harbor, Smith went to Springfield to get Governor Richard Yates to do something. He got a colonel's commission and was apponted aide-de-camp in charge of Illinois militia.
He got Grant to train Galena's troops which ultimately became part of the 12th Illinois Infantry. Grant wanted a commission in the regular U.S. Army, not militia and went to Ohio to get it, but McClellan refused him.
Then, Smith introduced Grant to Governor Yates.
Smith received command of the Leadmine Regiment from the Galena area, which became the 45th Illinois Infantry. Their nickname was the Washburne Leadmine Regiment. Smith commanded this regiment at Fort Donelson and Shiloh.
Smith was courageous in both actions. He was in the open at Shiloh and was seen cleaning and filling his pipe and then took a puff while under fire.
The regiment took heavy losses at Shiloh and had to cut their way out.
----Old Secesh
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