By Brothers Albert and Dustin Gross, Hecker Camp #443

The years 1861-1865 saw the American Civil War, which plunged our country into a great conflict. During the war, Randolph County contributed 2,099 men to the Union cause to preserve the Union and to abolish slavery.

One of these soldiers was my great-great-great uncle Paulus Smith, who was the son of immigrants from Alsace in modern day France. At the age of 18, he joined Company D of the 80th Illinois Infantry on Aug. 25, 1862.

The 80th Illinois participated in several battles including Perryville, Kentucky; Streight’s Raid and the resulting surrender and exchange in Northern Alabama; the Atlanta Campaign in Georgia, including the attack on Kennesaw Mountain, and the siege and capture of Atlanta; the Battle of Franklin; as well as the defeat and pursuit of Confederate General John Bell Hood’s forces after the Battle of Nashville, Tennessee in 1864.

While on the Atlanta Campaign, Smith developed kidney desease and was assigned to be the company cook or cook’s helper. He was allowed to ride the mule that was used to transport the company’s cooking utensils during the campaign.

He was discharged as a corporal on June 10, 1865 and returned to Randolph County to farm and marry. He eventually applied for a pension and after many interviews with fellow Veterans and doctors, he was granted a pension of $8 per month. Corporal Smith died Nov. 27, 1927 and is buried in Kelly Cemetery east of Evansville, Illinois.