Stephen was a Civil War Veteran on the Union side mustered in as a PVT in Co. E of the 2nd Regiment Michigan Infantry and a Corporal when mustered out. Migrated to Olympia Washington with wife M. Louisa Curtis. Was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Olympia as early as 1891. Stephen and Louisa did not have any children but quite a few nieces and nephews. Stephen was preceded in death by Louisa and left a legacy to the FUMC of Olympia to be used to purchase a pipe organ in their memory.

Military

Enlisted on April 17, 1861 at 19 as a PVT. Mustered in Co. E Michigan 2nd Infantry Regiment on May 25, 1861 and mustered out as a Corporal February 5, 1863. The hat he wore at Gettysburg is in the Wayne Historical Museum, Wayne Michigan, as well as his portrait/photo.

2nd Regiment Michigan Volunteer Infantry

Active May 25, 1861 to August 1, 1865
Country United States
Allegiance Union
Branch Infantry

Engagements

First Battle of Bull Run
Battle of Bull Run
Peninsular Campaign
Second Battle of Bull Run
Battle of Antietam
Battle of Fredericksburg
Siege of Vicksburg
Siege of Knoxville
Battle of the Wilderness
Battle of Cold Harbor
Siege of Petersburg

During the Civil War the 2nd Infantry fought in the early Battle of Wilson's Creek in Missouri and the first Battle of Bull Run. The regiment was assigned to the Army of the Potomac and fought in engagements such as Manassas, Antietam, Chancellorsville, Fredericksburg, and Gettysburg. By June 1864 the commissioned and enlisted strength of the regiment had reached such a low figure, less than 100 men, that at the request of the regimental commander the remaining enlisted men were transferred to Company C, and that company was given a full complement of officers and non-commissioned officers. From then until December 1864 the entire regiment consisted of just Company C. On 18 April 1869 the 2nd Infantry was consolidated with the 16th Infantry and the consolidated unit was designated as the 2nd Infantry.

The 2nd Infantry bears nine battle honors from the Southern Campaign through its 1869 consolidation with the 16th Infantry. These honors were earned by the 16th Infantry Atlanta, Chickamauga, Chattanooga, Georgia 1864, Kentucky 1862, Mississippi 1862, Murfreesboro, Shiloh and Tennessee 1863

See wife Maria's memorial for further information on Stephen

Bio put together by © K.Pyle May 16, 2016

Parents:
Joseph Smith and Hannah M. Hoyt