Well, Mr. Smith, What it means is that all of those Smiths served in the same unit and are probably related and probably served at the same time, but would require review of their compiled military service records to be sure. These records would also tell you how old they were when they enlisted and where they lived and what they did before they decied to go soldierin'.

By all means, post the letter and post it here. Others might have other ideas for you but I would enjoy reading the letter.

JR

Name: Charles Smith
RESIDENCE: Lexington, Michigan
Enlistment Date: 6 Sep 1862
Enlistment Place: Lexington, Michigan
Side Served: Union
State Served: Michigan
Service Record: Enlisted as a Private on 6 September 1862 at the age of 33.[b. abt 1829]
Enlisted in Company C, 6th Cavalry Regiment Michigan on 11 Oct 1862.
Deserted from Company C, 6th Cavalry Regiment Michigan on 25 Jan 1863 at Washington, DC.

Name: Charles Smith
RESIDENCE: Muskegon, Michigan
Enlistment Date: 24 Sep 1862
Enlistment Place: Byron, Michigan
Side Served: Union
State Served: Michigan
Service Record: Enlisted as a Private on 24 September 1862 at the age of 26. [b. abt 1836]
Enlisted in Company H, 6th Cavalry Regiment Michigan on 11 Oct 1862.
Discharged from Company H, 6th Cavalry Regiment Michigan on 1 Jul 1865 at Philadelphia, PA.

Name: Charles Smith
RESIDENCE: Sanilac, Michigan
Enlistment Date: 8 Sep 1862
Enlistment Place: Sanilac, Michigan
Side Served: Union
State Served: Michigan
Service Record: Enlisted as a Private on 8 September 1862 at the age of 26. [b. abt 1836]
Enlisted in Company C, 6th Cavalry Regiment Michigan on 11 Oct 1862.
Discharged from Company C, 6th Cavalry Regiment Michigan on 12 Oct 1862 at Fort Leavenworth, KS.
Promoted to Full Corporal on 1 Sep 1864.

Name: Charles J. Smith
Side: Union
Regiment State/Origin: Michigan
Regiment Name: 6 Michigan Cavalry
Regiment Name Expanded: 6th Regiment, Michigan Cavalry
COMPANY: H
Rank In: Private
Rank In Expanded: Private
Rank Out: Private
Rank Out Expanded: Private

Name: Charles O. Smith
Side: Union
Regiment State/Origin: Michigan
Regiment Name: 6 Michigan Cavalry
Regiment Name Expanded: 6th Regiment, Michigan Cavalry
COMPANY: C
Rank In: Private
Rank In Expanded: Private
Rank Out: Corporal
Rank Out Expanded: Corporal
Film Number: M545 roll 39

Name: Charles W. Smith
Side: Union
Regiment State/Origin: Michigan
Regiment Name: 6 Michigan Cavalry
Regiment Name Expanded: 6th Regiment, Michigan Cavalry
COMPANY: C
Rank In: Private
Rank In Expanded: Private
Rank Out: Private
Rank Out Expanded: Private
Film Number: M545 roll 39