Gen. SMITH arrived here on last Monday on a short furlough. His coming was announced by a dispatch sent from Loveland in the morning, and we was met at the deport by the band and a large concourse of people, though the rain was pouring down at the time of the arrival of the cars and had been nearly all day.
An enthusiastic reception was given him, when he made a brief speech. It was announced that in the following evening Gen. SMITH would make a speech at the M. E. Church, in which he would give some account of the battle of Shiloh, in which he took a very conspicuous and active part. Though the announcement was not made until nearly five o’clock P.M., and it was raining all the time, the Church was crowded to over flowing with ladies and gentlemen, eager listeners to the man whom ever one present loved to honor.
He gave a brief, yet clear account of the battle and of the part his Brigade took in it. Gen. SMITH makes no pretensions to being a speaker. He is a soldier, though, in its noblest sense, and his remarks were listened to with that wrapt attention which an audience gives one for whom they entertain the highest regard and the warmest friendship. Had we room we would be glad to give his remarks, but we find it impossible to do so.
At the conclusion of his speech, he tendered back the sword presented him by our citizens when e became colonel of the 13th Regiment, but it was voted that he retain it with the universal “aye!” of the vast assembly present.
– Published in The Athens Messenger, Athens, Ohio, Thursday, April 24, 1862
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