Historical Marker

Andrew Jackson Smith

This Medal of Honor recipient was born a slave in Lyon County, Ky., on September 3, 1843. Andrew Jackson Smith escaped to Union Army at 19 and fell in with 41st Illinois. Wounded at Battle of Shiloh. Recuperated at Clinton, Illinois, where he heard that blacks could join the Union Army. He mustered in Co. B, 55th Mass. Colored Infantry, May 16, 1863.

Reverse

Medal of Honor - Posthumously awarded Medal of Honor in 2001 for gallantry for saving regimental colors when color bearer was killed at the Battle of Honey Hill in South Carolina, Nov. 30, 1864, during Civil War. He lived, bought, and sold land in Between The Rivers area after war. Died 1932. Buried at nearby Mt. Pleasant Cemetery. Presented by Between The Rivers, Inc.