He was born on 19 March 1846 (4, 5; 2 (18 in 1862), 3 (21 in 1862)). He was born in Philadelphia Pennsylvania (2, 3, 4).
When he enlisted, he was a huckster (2).
When he enlisted, he was 5 feet 8 inches tall, and had a fair complexion, brown eyes, and light hair (2).
He enlisted and was mustered into service as a private for three years in the 118th Pennsylvania Infantry, on 10 November 1862, at Philadelphia Pennsylvania (1, 2, 3, 4). He was enlisted and mustered into service by Captain Sharwood (2).
He was promoted to corporal for good conduct in the field on 1 March 1865 (1, 2, 3, 4).
He was slightly wounded at North Anna, and at Bethesda Church (4).
He was transferred from the 118th PA, on 2 June 1865, by special order 138, headquarters, Army of the Potomac (dated 1 June 1865) (1, 2, 3). He had last settled his accounts on 31 August 1864, and had drawn $25.30 for clothing since then (2). He had received $25 advance bounty, and was due $75 bounty (2). He had last been paid by Major Holman on 31 December 1864 (2). He retained his rank of corporal, and was a corporal, in company E, of the 91st (1, 2, 8).
He mustered out on 10 July 1865 with his company (1, 3, 4). He was a corporal, in company E (8).
In 1905, he was a publisher of maps and atlases at Philadelphia (4).
On 20 March 1908, he applied successfully from Pennsylvania for a pension (6, 7).
He died on 11 April 1921, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (5, 6 [1 Apr 1921]). He was buried in West Laurel Hill Cemetery, Bala Cynwyd, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania (4).
1 Bates, Samuel Penniman. History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5. Harrisburg: B. Singerly, state printer, 1869-71. 5 volumes. 'Ninety-first regiment', volume 3, pages 186-233. (In the roster)
2 company E descriptive roll, entry 189 (John L Smith)
3 Civil War Veterans' Card File, available at the Pennsylvania State Archives, searched 5 May 2004 (John L Smith)
4 "Sketch", in History of the 118th Pennsylvania Volunteers, Corn Exchange Regiment, from their first engagement at Antietam to Appomattox, to which is added a record of its organization and a complete roster. Fully illustrated with maps, portraits, and over one hundred illustrations. With addenda.. By the Survivors' Association 118th (Corn Exchange) Regt., P.V. Philadelphia, PA: J. L. Smith, Map Publisher, 1905. Page 641. (John L Smith)
5 West Laurel Hill Cemetery (John Smith)
6 pension index, by regiment, 91st PA Infantry, company E (John L Smith)
7 pension index, by name (John L Smith)
8 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (John L Smith)
The Historical Society of Pennsylvania has this entry on their web page: Smith, Corp John L. Papers (1862-65); book of mimeographed/carbon-copied letters, miscellaneous, loose original letters, and diaries (Transferred from 118th PA co. K to 91st PA co.E) Collection 610. +I have not seen these papers.