SMITH, EDWIN
Rank and Organization: Ordinary Seaman, U.S. Navy. Born: 1841, New York,
N.Y. Accredited To: New York.
Citation:
On board the U.S.S. Whitehead in the attack upon Franklin, Va., 3 October 1862. When
his ship became grounded in a narrow passage as she rounded a bend in the Blackwater
River, Smith, realizing the hazards of lowering a boat voluntarily swam to shore with a
line under the enemy's heavy fire. His fearless action enabled his ship to maintain steady
fire and keep the enemy in check during the battle.
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