This framed piece is a rather eclectic mix of items related to Gettysburg in general and 2^nd Lt. William H. Smith in particular.

The main item in the frame is a promotion document for William H. Smith of Company B, 106^th Pennsylvania to 1^st Sgt. The document is the usual pre-printed form filled in with ink that has faded over the years. Despite the fading it can clearly be made out who the document is for and what regiment issued it. The promotion warrant is dated May 1, 1862 and was given at Yorktown, Virginia during the Peninsula Campaign. The document is signed by Colonel T. G. Morehead who ended the war as a brevet Brigadier General and Adjutant F. M. Pleis who was killed in action at Gettysburg. The document is in excellent condition with three vertical and one horizontal fold line.

This original promotion warrant is flanked by Xerox copies of two different muster rolls showing that 2^nd Lt. William H. Smith was killed in action at Gettysburg.

Next in the frame is a Xerox copy of a photo of Lt. Smith in uniform, an old label from a catalog describing the promotion document and a great wartime stereo view of the Confederate dead on the Rose farm. Due to the mat none of the card’s mount can be seen. The view is one of the more uncommon versions found. Behind the line of dead Confederates can be seen Alexander Gardner’s traveling dark room positioned under a tree. The contrast of the image is a tiny bit light and there is also some light surface dirt. A period ink inscription across the sky portion of the card reads “EMITSBURG ROAD B. GETTYSBURG.”

At bottom center is a Model 1839 Oval “US” plate, a non-dug eagle “I” coat button and a lead round ball all dug on private property near Spangler’s Spring. The plate has a dark face but is in otherwise very good condition. The button is also in good condition with a nice light patina, good detail and no dents. Bottom left has a very short biography of Lt. Smith while the bottom right has a modern color photograph of his grave in Gettysburg National Cemetery.

William H. Smith was born in 1829 in Pennsylvania. At the time of his enlistment he was living in Philadelphia. Records show him enlisting as a Private in Company B, 106^th Pennsylvania on August 28, 1861. His climb through the ranks is not listed on Internet records but a promotion to 2^nd Lieutenant on November 24, 1862 does appear. During Smith’s service the 106^th saw action at Fair Oaks, Savage’s Station, Malvern Hill, Antietam, Fredericksburg and Gettysburg.

At Gettysburg on July 2^nd Lt. Smith led his Company in an assault against the Bliss farm in which he was killed. Today he rests in Gettysburg National Cemetery, Pennsylvania Section, grave C-42.

The items above are all double mated with blue over red in a modern black frame that meas. approx. 27.75 x 24.75 x 1.50 inches.

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