The Carthage Republican
Carthage, Illinois
Wednesday
April 23, 1919
Page 1
Column 4KILLED IN ACTION.
Charlie Smith Reported Missing
Now Reported Dead.Andy and Alice Smith received a message from Washington April 19, stating that Private Charlie R. Smith, infantry, previously reported missing in action since about November 11th, now reported dead, date and cause of death to be determined.
Charlie left Carthage with the first of the boys that left about Sept. 22, 1917, took his training at Camp Dodge and left Camp Dodge for over seas in April and landed over seas May 11th. No word had been heard direct from him since Sept. 8th, being the last letter from him, then Dec. 13th, a telegram from Washington stating that he was missing in action and then the message on April 19th.
Charlie Ross Smith was born in Hancock county near the Oak Grove neighborhood, Nov. 8th, 1889. He leaves to mourn his loss his father and mother, Andy and Alice Smith of Colchester, two sisters, Lottie of Tennessee; Myrtle of Blandinsville; four brothers, Steven of Carthage, Glenn of Colchester and Ivan and Arlie at home.
All Hancock county mourns with Mr. and Mrs. Smith in the loss of this fine manly boy. He left loved ones and familiar scenes to enter upon a great adventure. He will not be among those to return to tell of his experiences. In fact so far his experiences and the manner of his end is shrouded in mystery. But this much is known that he died gloriously in defense of his country and that he walks forever with the immortals shrived of all earthly dross through the fires of his sacrifice.
May this thought and his memory be the comfort to his grieving family and friends.
The Carthage Republican
Carthage, Illinois
Wednesday
April 30, 1919
Page 5
Column 3THE MANNER OF CHARLES
SMITH’S DEATH.The following letter to Mrs. Charles Irish gives some idea of the manner of the death in France of her brother, Charles Smith:
Soncats, France, March 31, 1919.
Mrs. Charles Irish,
Blandinsville, Ill.My Dear Madam;
I received your letter of March 14th today and I am sorry to state that there is little information I can give you.
I was myself wounded and sent to a hospital before your brother was reported missing. Such information as I send you was gathered by me after my return to the company.
On or about the night of October 15th, this company was relieved from the front lines and withdrew to a town named Sommerance. It is known that your brother was with the company when it started. He was marching near the rear of the column. Upon reaching Sommerance the company was checked and your brother was missing. There was a great deal of shelling by the enemy during the withdrawal and although I do not know it to be a fact, I am of the opinion that your brother was killed by one of these shells.
It is hard for me to tell you this, yet I believe it to be my duty and that you would rather know.
I only recently made a trip to the Argonne battle front and while there made a search for your brother's grave, but was unable to find it. My time was limited and I was unable to cover all the territory fought over by the company.
Just before going into the fight I made a check of the company and I know your brother wore his identification tags.
I have not given up my efforts to learn what happened to your brother and if I learn anything I most certainly will let you know. In closing please believe me.
Sincerely,
Arthur T. Padin
Captain 327th Inf,
Commanding Co. B.
Hancock County Historical Society
Carthage, IllinoisSiegfried XIII
Page 124Charlie Ross Smith Was Killed
in Argonne Drive -- Phillip
Hartzell Post Had Services.Charlie Ross Smith was born in Hancock County, Illinois, near the Oak Grove Church, Nov. 8, 1889. Here he received his early education and grew to manhood. At the age of 17 years he united with the Oak Grove Christian Church under influence and preaching of Rev. Sherman.
When our country called for her sons in the Great World War, Charlie Smith was one of the first of Hancock's quota to depart on that great adventure. He left Carthage Sept. 22, 1917, for Camp Dodge, Iowa, where he was in training for seven months. He was then transferred to Camp Gordon, Ga., and after only a very short stay he embarked for overseas service, landing in France May 11, 1918. He was attached to Co. B. 327th Infantry of the 82nd Division. He was reported killed in action Oct. l5, 1918, during the Argonne drive. At the time of his death Charlie was 28 years, 11 months and 7 days old.
He leaves to mourn his departure his parents, Andy and Alice Smith of Carthage and the following brothers and sisters, Steven of Carthage; Mrs. Myrtle Irish of Blandinsville; Mrs. Lottie Wear of Carthage; Glen and Ivan of Colchester; and Arlie at home. A sister, Maggie Lee, died in infancy.
All Hancock county mourns with Mr. and Mrs. Smith the loss of this fine manly boy. He left loved ones and familiar scenes to enter upon a great adventure. He was not permitted to return home to tell of his experiences and even the exact manner of his going is shrouded in mystery. But this much is known, he died gloriously in defense of his country. He wrote back to his parents that it was his great desire to return again to the Oak Grove neighborhood and the burden of his prayers were toward that end.
The funeral was held Sunday afternoon at the Oak Grove church east of Carthage, Rev. R. B. Fouts, pastor of the Christian church officiating. Burial in the nearby cemetery. The Phillip Hartzell Post, American Legion, had charge of services at the grave.
