By Chas. H. Stubbs, M. D.

Charles Smedley, eldest son of Joel and Martha Smedley, was born in Fulton Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, on the first day of November, 1836. Until his nineteenth year he remained at home, assisting his father in farming during the Summer seasons, and in the Winter attending the public school of the district. Having mastered the elementary branches usually taught in the district schools, and desiring to acquire a knowledge of the higher scientific studies, he entered as a student in the celebrated Friends' School at Westtown, on the seventh of May, 1855. While at this institution, he pursued the studies he had chosen with great diligence and success. By close application he attained an honorable standing in his class; and his strict deportment merited the high approbation of his preceptors and the confidence of all his companions.

On the eleventh of April, 1856, after spending nearly a year at Westtown, he returned home and again assisted his father in superintending the mills and managing the farm. This engaged his attention for the next two years.

In the Spring of 1858 he concluded to commence business for himself. That of a merchant suggested itself; but feeling deficient in knowledge necessary to success if he engaged in this business, he resolved to prepare himself by taking a mercantile course. With this object in view, on the fifth of May, 1858, he entered the Lancaster County Normal School at Millersville. While at Millersville he became an active an influential member of the Page Society—a noted literary association connected with the Normal School.

Having remained one term at the Normal School, he returned to his native place in the Fall, and on the thirteenth of October, 1858, entered into an agreement with his father to take the grist and saw mills "on the shares." He continued to have charge of the mills for two year, and met with good success. During these two years he took an active interest in every movement that would have a tendency to improve the moral condition of society.

Believing strongly in the influence to be exerted by example, he joined several associations, whose object was of a reformatory character. Uniting himself with the Odd Fellows and Good Templars, he took an active part in the business of both of these orders. In these associations he was among the first to see that the rules were implicitly obeyed and kept inviolate. On one occasion a fellow member of the order of Odd Fellows was on trial for violating one of the sworn conditions on which he entered the lodge, by persisting in getting intoxicated whenever he felt disposed. The member who was most opposed to continuing this habitual drunkard in the lodge was Charles Smedley. In his little speech made in opposition, he boldly and fearlessly asserted that it was immaterial what position the person on trial might occupy—by his late actions the accused had unfitted himself to be continued any longer in the association, and in his opinion should be expelled.

In the Order of Good Templars Chas. Smedley attained the highest position in the Lodge of which he was a member. Through his influence many other young men were induced to join and forever eschew that accursed evil which has led to the ruin of many noble youths and caused them to fill premature graves.

On the twenty-first of April, 1862, he gave up his interest in the mills, having in contemplation a visit to some of the northern cities. After traveling several weeks in central New York, and spending a few days in the great Eastern Metropolis, young Smedley returned to Pennsylvania on the twenty-first of May.

The great rebellion had now been in progress for a year. Throughout the sections of country visited by him, the young men of the North were rapidly volunteering for their country's defense. Thinking it was not right for him to travel now and spend his time, he came home with the determination of serving his country in her hour of peril.

Well knowing that the consent of his parents could not be obtained, (they being members of the Society of Friends, one of the most important tenets of which is "a testimony against war,") he bid them adieu and started for Philadelphia, where, on the 29th of May, 1862, he enlisted as a member of Company G, 90th Regiment Penna. Volunteers.

For some the life of a soldier has its attractions. The sound of martial music, the gay uniform, the novelty of camp life, and the desire for fame—all contribute to allure many into the military service. None of these inducements had any weight with Charles Smedley. No one had a greater hatred of war; but like many others, he felt that this war was prosecuted on the part of the North for National existence, and as such differed from wars of aggression. Hence he thought it was his duty, as it was the duty of every man, to assist in putting down the rebellion. Maintaining these views, and from motives of the highest patriotism, Chas. Smedley joined the army "for three years or the war."

In a letter written to the author of this sketch, soon after he enlisted, dated "Front Royal, 6th mo. 16th, 1862," he says: "After traveling through the different parts of the country and witnessing the state of things caused by this rebellion, I, by degrees, made up my mind that the larger the force that we could put in the field, the sooner would this rebellion be crushed, and it was the duty of every person, who could, to volunteer. Having no business to require my attention, that I liked, and believing that if ever I lent my aid in suppressing this rebellion, now was the time, hence my present situation."

In a letter dated "6th mo. 19th, 1862," addressed to one of his relatives, in answer to the question, "how he liked soldiering?" he replied: "If I were at home, perhaps I would find more pleasure; but to take everything into consideration, it is every man's duty to try and put down this rebellion. I did not expect to like a soldier's life when I left home, but can honestly say that I like it better than I expected to."

From a letter written to his parents, dated "7th mo. 4th, 1862," we take the following beautiful and patriotic sentiments: "I am sorry to hear that you cannot help being uneasy about me. This regiment, as yet, has not been in any dangerous positions, and may not during the war. As far as myself is concerned, I have no fears and feel it my duty to go wherever the regiment is ordered. The question often comes into my mind, "have I done right?" To this my conscience answers that I have, and must continue to do my duty. The longer I remain the more firmly I am impressed that I am doing nothing but my simple duty and all will come out right in the end. And being thus impressed I move along with a light heart and nothing to fear. To be frank, I put my trust in the Almighty ruler above, and believe whatever my fate shall be, will be in accordance with His will. I know that my course is very inconsistent with our discipline,[1] but I believe that at present I owe a higher duty to my country. I hope that it may be restored to us, more peaceful and prosperous than ever; and if it is my fortune to get back safely home, I can congratulate myself upon having done my duty."

From Philadelphia, after enlisting, Charles Smedley was sent to Washington, and from thence to Front Royal, a small town west of the Blue Ridge, where the 90th Regiment was then encamped. He joined it just previous to the advance of our forces sent to intercept "Stonewall" Jackson, in his progress down the Shenandoah Valley. He continued with the regiment, and was with it up to the time of the second battle of Bull Run. For more than a week previous to this engagement, he had made application to be sent to the hospital, being weak and exhausted from disease. On the morning of the battle,[2] he declared he would not send in his application to be sent to the rear, because the impression might exist that he was trying to evade his duty in time of danger. By almost superhuman exertion he managed to go into the fight, but in the retreat of our forces, becoming fatigued and prostrated, he was compelled to remain in the rear, and the consequence was he fell into the hands of the enemy.

In a few days he was paroled and forwarded to our lines, and then sent by the Federal authorities to Annapolis, Maryland. He arrived home on the 29th of October, 1862, and remained until the 18th of February, 1863, when he was regularly exchanged.

Joining the regiment a second time, he continued with it over thirteen months. While in the service he participated in the battles of Cedar Mountain, second Bull Run, Rappahannock Station, Chancellorsville, Thoroughfare Gap, Gettysburg, and the Wilderness. In all these battles young Smedley performed his duty nobly. In the first day's fight at Gettysburg he narrowly escaped with his life—a ball grazing him on the neck and another on the hip. In the second and third day's fights the 90th Regiment was engaged on the memorable Cemetery ridge. After the defeat of the rebel hordes on the heights of Gettysburg, our army followed the remainder of the enemy's forces to the banks of the Rapidan. While encamped on this stream, the subject of our sketch received the sad news of affliction among "the loved ones at home." His mother, brother and sister being dangerously ill—the two former dying soon afterwards.

From a letter written to his sister on the reception of the sad intelligence, we copy the following: "It is a great trial to me to have to be separated from you when I think of the present state of things. Perhaps all is for the best, and we should not complain. We are but poor creatures and must submit to the Almighty Ruler who holds our fate in the "hollow of his hand." In the language of the christian, "why should we not put our trust in Him, and pray for Him to bring us out of all our trials and afflictions?" Perhaps we have not been thankful enough for all the blessings we enjoy. Give my love to all my old friends. I often think of the many pleasant times we have had at home. I hope I may again have the pleasure of meeting you all there, and not say, as Byron, of home,

At the battle of the Wilderness, on the 5th of May, 1864, Charles Smedley was captured a second time, and, as we are informed in his diary, was taken by the Confederates to Gordonsville, thence to Danville, from Danville to the prisoners' pen at Andersonville, Georgia, and lastly to Florence, South Carolina. At Andersonville he remained nearly four months in a stockade filled with thousands of Northern patriots. Here he suffered untold hardships, being exposed to the scorching rays of the sun, the cold atmosphere of the night, and to frequent storms of rain. The premeditated, gradual starvation process of his vile captors, together with the constant exposure to all kinds of weather, did its work effectually. His health at last became impaired and his physical constitution forever shattered. On the thirteenth of September, along with many others, he reached the town of Florence, where he was placed in another pen, in every respect similar to the one he had left at Andersonville. Here his sufferings increased. Being much reduced, and possessing hardly sufficient strength to assist himself, he was at last admitted into what was termed a hospital. In this hospital he lingered along for a few weeks, when his system gradually succumbed from the effects of hunger and exposure.

During the night of the sixteenth of November, 1864, the spirit of Charles Smedley left its mortal tenement for other realms. His body was prepared for burial by a few of his fellow soldiers, and was interred in the burying ground a short distance north-northwest of the stockade, in Florence, South Carolina.

In the person of Charles Smedley there were nicely blended many of the noblest traits of human character. As a religious and moral young man he had few equals. From his early youth he had a strong aversion to all those evil habits which have so often been the stepping stones to vice in its most hideous forms. Profanity and the use of that filthy narcotic weed, proved harmless as tempters to him. Still less powerful was that subtle enemy of mankind, which "quickeneth and giveth color to the cup, and stingeth like an adder."[3]

In all his transactions his rule was to do that only which his conscience told him was right. His goodness of heart, his amiable disposition, gained him many friends, and wherever known, whether at home in his native township, or in the army of his country, none knew him other than the noble young man and soldier.

To-day the remains of Charles Smedley, along with those of thousands of other patriotic martyrs, lie in the trenches near Florence. No marble pile or grass covered mound will, in all probability, ever mark his last resting place, but his name will be ever cherished and held in remembrance by his friends, as one who was willing to offer up his life that his country might live.