Now its three guys! With at least two of them intimately connected with Charles Drake from Columbiana, Ohio. John, the pension card for Smith shows its one guy LOL. Lists both regiments. BOTH haha. The pension guys back in 1888 were tricked by the two sneaky Thomas Smith's who applied to split the one pension. Why would they do that? Less is more, right? Are ya at least giving up on 1860s guys who went to medical schools didn't serve as combat troops because they're too prestigious, even though they sell shoes, and politically connected privates get mentioned in regimental histories solely because they're prestigious. Except the Kings, and all the other sons and brothers of bigwigs who served, not one of whom is mentioned as such in regimentals. I'm laughing as I'm typing this.... We've beat this one to pieces wouldn't you say? Weren't you going to tell me where he was in 1868 since you stated as fact he wasn't in Paola and therefore he couldn't have been there to enlist? And why he's too much of a snob to serve his country, but not too much of a snob to sell shoes? Go ahead and tell me next its actually four guys we're talking about, and that they all grew up with Charles Drake back in Ohio and are otherwise connected to him. You're not even trying to be serious, and that's okay, I'm laughing out loud, literally. With you.