Source: https://archive.org/details/historyofthirtyf00insmit/page/n1/mode/2up

Source: http://www.31stindiana.com/31st_Other_Colonels.htm

"A History of the Thirty-first Regiment of Indiana Volunteer Infantry in the War of the Rebellion," 1900, John Thomas Smith, Frontispiece
https://archive.org/details/historyofthirtyf00insmit/page/n6

Col. John T. Smith was born in Johnson county, Indiana, March 18,1831. He grew up to manhood on the farm, with no other educational advantages than those afforded by the common schools of his county. A few months before he was of age, he met with a serious accident while felling timber in the woods, the accident resulting in the breaking of his right leg near the knee, his right arm near the elbow, besides other serious injuries. This misfortune changed the whole course of his life. After his recovery he entered college at Franklin, Indiana attending a few terms then moved, in 1853, with his father To Greene county and engaged for a few years in teaching school. In the spring of 1860 he graduated from the law department of Asbury University after which he located at Bloomfield, IN, and engaged in the practice of law. He assisted in recruiting Company F, Thirty-first Indiana Infantry, at the breaking out of the late rebellion and was mustered into the service as First Lieutenant September 20, 1861. January 4 1862 he was commissioned Captain, December 5, 1862 was promoted Major, February 11, 1863 was made Lt. Col., July 15, 1863 he was promoted Col. of the regiment and was discharged from the service March 12, 1865. The Colonel was present with his command and participated in the battles of Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth, Stone River and Chickamauga, he was on the Atlanta campaign and in nearly all the engagements connected with the fall of Atlanta, took part also in the battle of Jonesboro, Georgia, Pulaski, Spring Hill, Franklin and Nashville, TN. He was popular with his officers and men and successful as a commander. On his return home, Col. Smith was elected Clerk of Greene County Circuit Court, serving five years. He is not rated as an office seeker, yet he has an even dozen commissions which have been issued to him by the different Governors of the State. The Colonel is a local preacher of the Methodist Episcopal Church, possessing rare ability. he moved to Bowling Green in 1879, and served acceptably the Bowling Green Circuit one year. In 1854 he married Mary C. Armstrong. The couple have an interesting family of tow boys and five girls.

The Brazil Democrat
December 1895
Brazil, IN
Louis Holtman, Publisher

Photo Courtesy of Archie Lintz.