SERVED WITH CO A 44TH NY INFANTRY. DIED AT GETTYSBURG PA
His mother, Rachel Healy Smith was present to hear President Lincoln's address at Gettysburg. I possess the original letters where she writes about it - Marianne Bradley FAG 46933504.
From the Summer 2023 magazine "A Place of Pilgrimage for the Nation-a photographic tour through Gettysburg's Soldiers' National Cemetery".
A Quaker from North Collins, N.Y., Smith enlisted in the 44th, New York Infantry in September 1862. The six-footer had just turned 20 when he and his comrades fought at Little Round Top.
Two days later, on Independence Day, fellow soldier Erastus L. Harris wrote to Smith's mother, Rachel, with the sad news that her son had perished in combat that claimed 20 of the 40 men in Company A. "If I could say one word that would comfort you in this hour
of your bereavement most gladly would I do it," stated Harris. "If toknow that your son was never influenced by the vices and evil influences of the camp and that he was cool and brave in battle and did his whole duty will be any consolation to your stricken heart, then can I comfort you with at least that assurance?" Harris also proclaimed that Chester "fell defending the cause of freedom and he sleeps on a soil unpolluted by the footsteps of a slave," and went on to assure the grieving Rachel that, while he had been unable to bury her son in a separate grave, Chester was interred by "the pioneers of the Regt. with the rest of our Company that fell," and that his grave was "numbered so that it can be found at any time."
Rachel wrote Harris back, and enclosed paper and a postpaid envelope to continue their correspondence. Though her letter is lost, Harris' response on August 10 indicates she
wanted more details. Harris explained that Chester was buried in a trench "in the rear of
the rocky hill where we were engaged." Rachel's husband, William, had also apparently asked about his son's wound. Harris reported that it occurred "soon after the battle commenced," and " the ball struck somewhere in the thigh passing up into his vitals."
Harris asked the grieving parents what they thought "of the proposition you may have noticed in the papers to bury all these dead heroes on Cemetery Hill together and have a suitable monument to commemorate their noble deeds?" Harris reasoned, "if I had
fallen on that glorious field I should be content to sleep my last sleep with my brave comrades."
Rachel and William Smith agreed, and made no attempt to recover Chester's remains. They did, however, erect a cenotaph behind the Quaker Meeting House in North Collins. It reads: "Chester, Son of William and Rachel Smith, died in the Battle of Gettysburg, Pa., July 2, 1863, Age 20 yrs. and 27 days.
His mother, Rachel Healy Smith was present to hear President Lincoln's address at Gettysburg. I possess the original letters where she writes about it - Marianne Bradley FAG 46933504.
From the Summer 2023 magazine "A Place of Pilgrimage for the Nation-a photographic tour through Gettysburg's Soldiers' National Cemetery".
A Quaker from North Collins, N.Y., Smith enlisted in the 44th, New York Infantry in September 1862. The six-footer had just turned 20 when he and his comrades fought at Little Round Top.
Two days later, on Independence Day, fellow soldier Erastus L. Harris wrote to Smith's mother, Rachel, with the sad news that her son had perished in combat that claimed 20 of the 40 men in Company A. "If I could say one word that would comfort you in this hour
of your bereavement most gladly would I do it," stated Harris. "If toknow that your son was never influenced by the vices and evil influences of the camp and that he was cool and brave in battle and did his whole duty will be any consolation to your stricken heart, then can I comfort you with at least that assurance?" Harris also proclaimed that Chester "fell defending the cause of freedom and he sleeps on a soil unpolluted by the footsteps of a slave," and went on to assure the grieving Rachel that, while he had been unable to bury her son in a separate grave, Chester was interred by "the pioneers of the Regt. with the rest of our Company that fell," and that his grave was "numbered so that it can be found at any time."
Rachel wrote Harris back, and enclosed paper and a postpaid envelope to continue their correspondence. Though her letter is lost, Harris' response on August 10 indicates she
wanted more details. Harris explained that Chester was buried in a trench "in the rear of
the rocky hill where we were engaged." Rachel's husband, William, had also apparently asked about his son's wound. Harris reported that it occurred "soon after the battle commenced," and " the ball struck somewhere in the thigh passing up into his vitals."
Harris asked the grieving parents what they thought "of the proposition you may have noticed in the papers to bury all these dead heroes on Cemetery Hill together and have a suitable monument to commemorate their noble deeds?" Harris reasoned, "if I had
fallen on that glorious field I should be content to sleep my last sleep with my brave comrades."
Rachel and William Smith agreed, and made no attempt to recover Chester's remains. They did, however, erect a cenotaph behind the Quaker Meeting House in North Collins. It reads: "Chester, Son of William and Rachel Smith, died in the Battle of Gettysburg, Pa., July 2, 1863, Age 20 yrs. and 27 days.
SERVED WITH CO A 44TH NY INFANTRY. DIED AT GETTYSBURG PA
His mother, Rachel Healy Smith was present to hear President Lincoln's address at Gettysburg. I possess the original letters where she writes about it - Marianne Bradley FAG 46933504.
From the Summer 2023 magazine "A Place of Pilgrimage for the Nation-a photographic tour through Gettysburg's Soldiers' National Cemetery".
A Quaker from North Collins, N.Y., Smith enlisted in the 44th, New York Infantry in September 1862. The six-footer had just turned 20 when he and his comrades fought at Little Round Top.
Two days later, on Independence Day, fellow soldier Erastus L. Harris wrote to Smith's mother, Rachel, with the sad news that her son had perished in combat that claimed 20 of the 40 men in Company A. "If I could say one word that would comfort you in this hour
of your bereavement most gladly would I do it," stated Harris. "If toknow that your son was never influenced by the vices and evil influences of the camp and that he was cool and brave in battle and did his whole duty will be any consolation to your stricken heart, then can I comfort you with at least that assurance?" Harris also proclaimed that Chester "fell defending the cause of freedom and he sleeps on a soil unpolluted by the footsteps of a slave," and went on to assure the grieving Rachel that, while he had been unable to bury her son in a separate grave, Chester was interred by "the pioneers of the Regt. with the rest of our Company that fell," and that his grave was "numbered so that it can be found at any time."
Rachel wrote Harris back, and enclosed paper and a postpaid envelope to continue their correspondence. Though her letter is lost, Harris' response on August 10 indicates she
wanted more details. Harris explained that Chester was buried in a trench "in the rear of
the rocky hill where we were engaged." Rachel's husband, William, had also apparently asked about his son's wound. Harris reported that it occurred "soon after the battle commenced," and " the ball struck somewhere in the thigh passing up into his vitals."
Harris asked the grieving parents what they thought "of the proposition you may have noticed in the papers to bury all these dead heroes on Cemetery Hill together and have a suitable monument to commemorate their noble deeds?" Harris reasoned, "if I had
fallen on that glorious field I should be content to sleep my last sleep with my brave comrades."
Rachel and William Smith agreed, and made no attempt to recover Chester's remains. They did, however, erect a cenotaph behind the Quaker Meeting House in North Collins. It reads: "Chester, Son of William and Rachel Smith, died in the Battle of Gettysburg, Pa., July 2, 1863, Age 20 yrs. and 27 days.
His mother, Rachel Healy Smith was present to hear President Lincoln's address at Gettysburg. I possess the original letters where she writes about it - Marianne Bradley FAG 46933504.
From the Summer 2023 magazine "A Place of Pilgrimage for the Nation-a photographic tour through Gettysburg's Soldiers' National Cemetery".
A Quaker from North Collins, N.Y., Smith enlisted in the 44th, New York Infantry in September 1862. The six-footer had just turned 20 when he and his comrades fought at Little Round Top.
Two days later, on Independence Day, fellow soldier Erastus L. Harris wrote to Smith's mother, Rachel, with the sad news that her son had perished in combat that claimed 20 of the 40 men in Company A. "If I could say one word that would comfort you in this hour
of your bereavement most gladly would I do it," stated Harris. "If toknow that your son was never influenced by the vices and evil influences of the camp and that he was cool and brave in battle and did his whole duty will be any consolation to your stricken heart, then can I comfort you with at least that assurance?" Harris also proclaimed that Chester "fell defending the cause of freedom and he sleeps on a soil unpolluted by the footsteps of a slave," and went on to assure the grieving Rachel that, while he had been unable to bury her son in a separate grave, Chester was interred by "the pioneers of the Regt. with the rest of our Company that fell," and that his grave was "numbered so that it can be found at any time."
Rachel wrote Harris back, and enclosed paper and a postpaid envelope to continue their correspondence. Though her letter is lost, Harris' response on August 10 indicates she
wanted more details. Harris explained that Chester was buried in a trench "in the rear of
the rocky hill where we were engaged." Rachel's husband, William, had also apparently asked about his son's wound. Harris reported that it occurred "soon after the battle commenced," and " the ball struck somewhere in the thigh passing up into his vitals."
Harris asked the grieving parents what they thought "of the proposition you may have noticed in the papers to bury all these dead heroes on Cemetery Hill together and have a suitable monument to commemorate their noble deeds?" Harris reasoned, "if I had
fallen on that glorious field I should be content to sleep my last sleep with my brave comrades."
Rachel and William Smith agreed, and made no attempt to recover Chester's remains. They did, however, erect a cenotaph behind the Quaker Meeting House in North Collins. It reads: "Chester, Son of William and Rachel Smith, died in the Battle of Gettysburg, Pa., July 2, 1863, Age 20 yrs. and 27 days.
Inscription
CHESTER SMITH.
CO. A. REGT. 44.
Gravesite Details
He is actually interred in Gettsyburg, PA. Another Memorial #64492290 is with parents in Collins NY
