S. Rodmond Smith

Samuel Rodmond Smith (April 20, 1841 – September 30, 1912) was a Congressional Medal of Honor recipient in the Union Army during the U.S. Civil War. He was an attorney by vocation and became Mayor of Miami near the end of his life.

S. Rodmond Smith
Civil War era photo of SR Smith
5th Mayor of Miami
In office
1911–1913
Preceded byF. H. Wharton
Succeeded byJ.W. Watson
Personal details
Born
Samuel Rodmond Smith

April 20, 1841
Wilmington, DE
DiedSeptember 30, 1912
Miami, FL
SpouseSarah Elizabeth Ware Smith
ChildrenBessie Wollaston Smith
OccupationAttorney
Military service
AllegianceUnion Army
Branch/serviceUnited States Army
RankBrevet Major
UnitDelaware 4th Delaware Infantry Regiment
CommandsC Company
Battles/warsAmerican Civil War
Awards Medal of Honor

Medal of Honor

The citation for Smith's Medal of Honor was for an act of bravery at Rowanty Creek, Va on Feb 5, 1865. It reads: "Swam the partly frozen creek under fire to establish a crossing." Smith swam the crossing with First Lieutenant David Eastburn Buckingham, who also earned the award.[1] Smith and his regiment lost their leader as he was shot and carried to the rear shortly before they made their crossing. In an account of the events of that day, Smith said, "There was considerable floating ice in the stream," and, "The water proved to be over six feet deep."[2]

Civilian Life

After the Civil War, Smith worked for Farmer's Mutual Insurance Company. Smith authored a memoir of Judge Leonard Eugene Wales published by the Delaware Historical Society.[3] He was appointed Clerk of the US Court for the District of Delaware in 1873, where he worked for 30 years.[4] Smith authored a pamphlet named The reclamation of the Florida Everglades.

Smith owned a 20 Hp Maxwell Briscoe Touring Car, one of the few motor vehicles registered in South Florida in 1907.[5] During his campaign for Miami Mayor, his opponents called him , 'Yankee' as a pejorative.[6]

He died in Miami in shortly after resigning as the city's 5th Mayor. He willed a generous donation to the YMCA, the Women's Club and the Coconut Grove Library.[7]

See also

References
Notes
  1. Alexander, Edward (5 February 2015). "Hatcher's Run 150: Crossing Rowanty Creek". Emerging Civil War. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
  2. National historic publishing association (1919). The World War and Historic Deeds of Valor (Vol 2 ed.). University of Minnesota: National historic publishing association. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  3. Rodmond Smith, Samuel (1898). Leonard Eugene Wales A Memoir. Wilmington, DE. Retrieved 22 February 2023.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  4. Conrad, Henry C (1908). History of the State of Delaware. Wilmington, DE: Henry C Conrad. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  5. Florida, Office of Secretary of State. "Florida Automobile Registration Record (Volume 1), 1905-1913". Florida Memory. Florida. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
  6. Staff (1 May 1937). "Mrs S W Smith 92 Succumbs in Washington". The Miami Herald.
  7. "Three Local Organizations Beneficiaries by Will of Late S. Rodmond Smith". The Miami Herald. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
Bibliography
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