Philander Smith was born in 1835, married Sarah S. Allee, and lived in Greenfield, Indiana. He enlisted as a Sergeant on 1861/08/25, in Company B of the 8th Indiana Volunteer Infantry (the regiment was being reorganized at Indianapolis). The regiment mustered in on September 10, for three years, and left the same day to join John C. Fremont's Army at St. Louis, Missouri. Orders for the regiment assigned it to Colonel Jefferson C. Davis's brigade. The 8th Indiana fought at Pea Ridge, Arkansas, joined Grant's forces and engaged in fighting at Port Gibson, Jackson, Champion's Hill, and the siege of Vicksburg. It also took part in the capture of the fort on Mustang Island, Texas. In August 1864, the regiment became part of the 19th Corps near Berryville, Virginia, and with it participated in the Shenandoah Valley campaign. Smith gained promotion to 2nd Lieutenant on 1863/01/18, was promoted to 1st Lieutenant on 1864/07/01, and to Captain on 1864/09/30. He was paroled from Libby Prison sometime in February 1865, and honorably discharged on 1865/05/04, as a 2nd Lieutenant. Philander Smith died in 1899.
From the description of Philander Smith papers and photographs, 1863-1866. (Ball State University Library). WorldCat record id: 460122589
