OVID WELLFORD SMITH MEMORIAL MARKER

Civil War Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient. He served during the Civil War as a Private in Company I, 2nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry Regiment. Member of the Andrews Raiders. Enlisted in 1861 at the age of 16 by claiming he was 22. Volunteered for the Raid. Detained enroute to Big Shanty by Confederate Army, joined the Confederate Army to avoid suspicion, and missed the chase part of the Raid. Eventually, he escaped back to his Union Army unit. Mustered out of the Army in 1864 due to ill health. Awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor as one of the raiders even though, like raiders Hawkins and Porter, he was never on the “General.” He was imprisoned in Swims Jail in Chattanooga because his partner Llewellyn escaped their Confederate unit. After Smith escaped, he participated in the battles of Chickamauga, Chattanooga, and Missionary Ridge.