General John E. Smith DS, 4to, Ration return signed as Col of the 14^th Infantry (Fort Laramie) 1873. Also signed by Captain Guido Ilges. Noted for both his Civil War and Indian Wars service he led the 45^th Illinois at the battles of Fort Henry, Fort Donelson and Shiloh. When Grant began his final campaign against Vicksburg, Smith was placed in command of the 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, XVII Corps. He fought at the battles of Port Gibson, Raymond, Champion Hill and in the assaults on Vicksburg. During the battle of Missionary Ridge, Smith took part in the attacks against the Confederate right flank at Tunnel Hill.

In 1866 General Smith was appointed colonel of the 27th U.S. Infantry Regiment. He received a promotion to brigadier general in 1867 and a brevet promotion to major general in 1869. During this time, General Smith served along the frontier. He was posted to command Fort Phil Kearney (following the Kearny Massacre in 1868), and played a vital role in renewing peaceful negotiations with Red Cloud and in overseeing the removal of troops from Fort Phil Kearney. He is described as "A favorite of Red Cloud's...[and] respected among the Sioux Indians."^[Afterwards he was chosen by Red Cloud to accompany the 1870 Sioux delegation to Washington, He was transferred to the 14^th U.S. Infantry in 1870.