William Smith was a 25 year old bachelor when he was mustered into Company K of the First Minnesota Infantry. He was appointed 4th corporal in the company. As a corporal he received $13 a month in pay. He tried to send most of this to his 60 year old mother, Jane, back home in Winona. Her husband, James, had died in January of 1858, leaving William as the provider for the family. The letters he wrote to her in 1861 and early 1862 indicate he had siblings, Elizabeth (Liby), Sam and Evaline. William was killed at the battle at Antietam on September 17, 1862. During one part of the battle, Sedwick's entire division was thrown into a state of nearly hopless confusion. General Dana, the form colonel of the First, tried to maneuver his men into a position to attack. It was during this action he was wounded in the leg. The Minnesotans were on the extreme right of the Union line. Col Sully masterfully manuevered the men back and they maintained an orderly withdrawal. As McLaws Confederates poured a heavy fire into the Minnesotan's ranks, Col Sully reported, "Our loss was very heavy, yet the men bravely held their position, and did not leave it until the two brigades in their rear had fallen back and the regiments were moving, when they received the order to retire." It was during this time that William Smith "was shot in the head by a musket ball and killed instantly." reported Charley Goddard, also of Company K. "He was acting as a file closer and it seemed as if the ball went right through the ranks and struck him in the rear. He had not time to say anything." As a result of the death of her husband, Jane received a mother's pension of $8 a month to support her family.
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