John Eugene Smith (1816-1897) was a Swiss immigrant to the United States, who served as a Union general during the American Civil War.

His father had served under Napoleon Bonaparte and emigrated with his family to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania after the emperor's downfall.

[1] In Philadelphia, Smith was educated to be a jeweler and 20 years later settled in Galena, Illinois, where he practiced his jewelry trade.

When the Civil War began in 1861, Smith served as an aide de camp to Illinois Governor Richard Yates.

When Ulysses S. Grant began his final campaign against Vicksburg, Smith was placed in command of the 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, XVII Corps.

During the battle of Missionary Ridge, Smith took part in the attacks against the Confederate right flank at Tunnel Hill.