Martin was one of two of the sons of Henry Smothers
who fought during the Civil War and lost their lives.

1850 Blendon, Franklin, OH
Henry Smothers Blendon, Franklin OH abt 1812 Pa
Elizabeth Smothers Blendon Franklin OH abt 1820 Pa
Martin Smothers Blendon, Franklin OH abt 1843 Ohio

US Veterans Gravesites 1775-2006 about M L Smothers
Service Info: PVT US ARMY CIVIL WAR
Death Date: 13 Sep 1864
Cemetery: Marietta National Cemetery
Cemetery Address: C/O Georgia National Cemetery
2025 Mount Carmel Church Lane Canton GA 30114
Buried At: Section M Site 4437

US Civil War Soldier Records and Profiles
about Martin L Smothers
Age at enlistment: 18 Enlistment Date: 20 Jun 1862
Rank at enlistment: Private State Served: Ohio
Was Wounded?: Yes Survived the War?: No

Service Record: Enlisted Company G Ohio 45th Infantry Regiment on 19 Aug 1862.
Promoted to Full Corporal on 01 May 1864.
Mustered out on 19 Sep 1864 at Atlanta, GA.
Birth Date: abt 1844
Sources:
Official Roster of the Soldiers of the State of Ohio
Roll of Honor of Ohio Soldiers

Source:the Smothers Family by Col Robert William Smothers 2005, retired USAF
My grandfather IAS wrote on a picture of Martin.
"Martin Luther Smothers Co G 45 Regt OVI died from gunshot wound at Atlanta Georgia Sep 15 1864. Enlisted 1862 age 18. Martin was with Sherman on his march to the sea. These pictures were taken at Camp Chase Lexington KY 1862.
My grandmother Elizabeth Birdsill in her "My Book of Memories" added,
"Martin had always been strong, Husky they called him. William was delicate. What tragedies happen!
And the boy face, under the soldier cap looking at me,
is like our Willie and like Aunt Orrell."

Extract from letter from Alonzo (Zeke) Smothers to his siblings.
Martin was only eighteen and William not yet sixteen when they enlisted in the 45th Ohio Regiment. They trained in a camp in Kentucky where William contracted measles and was still sick when the Regiment went on the march. He was pronounced physically fit by the doctors but was so weak that Martin carried his gun and rifle on the march.
William died on this march, I believe of pneumonia and
was buried at Lexington, Kentucky.
Martin continued through the war and was with Sherman on his march to the sea. If any of you have read "Gone with the Wind" you will be particularly interested in the fact that it was at Jonesboro in Georgia that Martin was killed either by a sniper's bullet or accidently by someone cleaning his gun. Jonesboro is the town just a few miles from "Tara", the plantation of the O'Hara's where so much of the action of the book takes place. In the evening following a skirmish near Jonesboro Martin was strolling
in the woods around camp when he was struck. He was taken back to Atlanta in an ambulance, died after four days and is buried there. (Meaning Jonesboro?)

From a letter written in pencil by Martin Luther Smothers, copied by Alonzo (Zeke) Smothers.
Dear Father, Mother, Brothers and Sisters,
I have seated myself to answer your kind letter that I received last night which I was glad to get. I was on guard when it came. I went to supper and told William. He told me to read it for he was anxious to hear from home. I don't think he is any better than he was when he last wrote. He keeps knocking about but the diaree is running him down the hill. He can sit in the tent and we have got a stove in it so it is quite comfortable. There have been several doctors to examine such soldiers as him to discharge if they think necessary or furlough or else stay where they are.
I think he will get one of the three.
For my part I still stand it very good. William say if he don't get a discharge he wants to know if father won't come and take him out. You could go to the Governor of Ohio and get a free pass and William says he will foot all other expenses that should occur but I think he will get a discharge. We are still in camp near Lexington, Ky.
It is a nice place but wood is scarce. We can't tell how long we will stay here. There is quite a number of soldiers around here. There was a general inspection the other day again. There was (?) Regiments, one Battery and quite a number of Cavalry. I tell you it was a grand sight. There was an old gentleman down here from Delaware. He said it paid him for coming down. The 45th has the honor of being on the right of the Brigade so if it ever gets into a battle it will haf to take the lead but we haven't got
in a fight yet and no more prospects than when we first came to Kentucky. Some think this war isn't going to last much longer. They say the Southerners are offering to compromise but they don't propose the right terms so I think I will fight them a little longer - as the big officers say - for fear they won't get quite enough of
the public treasure.
Mother, your asking who the fault was in the Chaplain or me. I think it is him. He don't come to our tents to see us, only preaches once a Sunday that is short and dry. But you mustn't think that we have forgot God not quite but I must confess I haven't been as faithful as I ought to be. You mustn't fret about us for the day is coming when we will see old times. Well, I guess I have written enough for this time so Good-bye for the present.
(signed) Martin Luther Smothers
Direct to Lexington Ky or to follow the regiment.Bob