Coweta County GaArchives Obituaries.....Smith, Joseph Pennington September 7, 1870
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Candace (Teal) Gravelle http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00023.html#0005680 August 26, 2006, 12:06 pm

"The Newnan Herald and Advertiser"
Newnan, Coweta Co., Georgia

NEWSPAPER Issue of Friday, January 14, 1910

A WAR TIME SKETCH OF JOSEPH PENNINGTON SMITH (Died Sept. 7, 1870)

Joseph Pennington Smith, son of Stephen D. and Martha A. Smith, was born in 
Coweta county, Ga., on June 21, 1847. In his 18th year he enlisted in the 
First Regiment of Georgia Reserves under the command of Col. Jas. H. Fannin 
of LaGrange. They were ordered at once to Savannah, where he was wounded by 
a minie-ball just below the heart, in a skirmish near that city. Joseph not 
being strong, his father sent an old family servant to assist him in camp 
and in whatever way it was possible.

Let me illustrate the faithfulness of one of the old slaves which we seldom 
see at this day. During the fight, "Uncle Dan" kept a close watch on his 
young master, following him at a distance from point to point until he saw 
him fall, then reached him and went with him to the hospital where he 
remained for several weeks.

As soon as the wound seemed beginning to heal, downhearted, homesick, with 
medicine and other necessities scant, he begged for a furlough to come home. 
The officials consented, notwithstanding the railroads were torn up, rail 
cars burned, and every horse and mule that could be found was carried off by 
the enemy. What could they do? He was weak and feeble from loss of blood and 
with an unhealed wound. Nothing daunted, they started to walk from Savannah 
to Newnan with the large rivers, swamps and marshes to cross, uncertain 
weather and supplies, it seemed almost impossible. Sometimes they found 
shelter or a house or stable loft; more often on a bed made of leaves and 
pine boughs that dear old Dan made for his "boy"; with a blanket for cover, 
the broad canopy of the heavens with its clouds or myriads of stars looking 
down upon the poor homesick soldier, with his faithful slave and protector 
by his side. When they came to wet, rough places, Uncle Dan carried him on 
his shoulders until firm, dry ground was reached.

It would take a more gifted pen than mine to fully portray these scenes as 
they were described to me. For food, they ate what was given them by the 
kind-hearted, loving women who spared from their meager store a glass of 
milk, an egg, bestowed upon them so lovingly, perhaps in remembrance of 
their own dear ones who were sick and wounded far from the reach of mother's 
hand. Sometimes they bought with their little store of money of those too 
poor to give, who might buy again with the bit of money in exchange. Only 
those who lived through them can realize fully the pathos of those sorrowful 
days.

At Macon, they found an ox-cart which could be hired to bring them to 
Griffin, Uncle Dan patiently plodding by the side of his young master. They 
reached home about Christmas. Can you imagine how glad he was, or how 
grateful we were?

It would be difficult to express how we all felt towards Uncle Dan. He never 
left our family; was respected and cared for as long as he lived. Joseph 
never would return to his regiment. His wound would break out and bleed and 
by the time it has really healed the surrender came.

He died Sept. 7, 1870 in his 23rd year. 

H. S. S., Newnan, Ga., Jan. 3, 1910

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