A monument to a former Kentucky slave and war hero is being recognized by family nearly four years after its establishment.
Andrew Jackson Smith was born a slave in Lyon County and later escaped to join the Union army. Smith’s grandson Andrew Bowman said Smith joined the Union’s 54th Massachusetts infantry regiment. He said Smith was later trapped with the 55th regiment at Honey Hill, South Carolina where the color sergeant was hit with an exploding shell as he attempted to protect the regimental colors against confederate soldiers.
“On the second charge back, the other color bearer who had the state flag got his arm broken and Andrew Jackson Smith carried off the field both the state and the regimental colors,” Bowman said. “That was considered at the time a gallant action under fire at the risk of one’s own life.”
Bowman said Smith was promoted and recommended for a medal of honor. Former President Woodrow Wilson denied the recommendation, but in 2001 Bowman accepted the medal on Smith’s behalf. Smith’s monument is located at the Lyon County Veterans Plaza.
Judge Executive Wade White said the county places a brick in the plaza to recognize every person from Lyon County that has served in the military. He said Smith is the only one to receive a medal of honor.
Smith is buried in Land Between the Lakes on land he once owned. Bowman said the monument was established in 2014 but last week was his first opportunity to visit the memorial.
