Two weeks later, John B. Estes - who took over the 44th Ga after Robert A. Smith was mortally wounded - pulled no punches when he filed this devastating report:
Report of Lieut. Col. John B. Estes, Forty-fourth Georgia Infantry, of the battles of Ellison's Mill, or Mechanicsville, and Malvern Hill
Camp Walker, near Richmond, July 12, 1862. Sir: I have the honor, after long delay, of forwarding to you my report of that part of the great battle before Richmond in which the Forty-fourth Regiment Georgia Volunteers, Col. R. A. Smith commanding, participated. The report is necessarily meager and imperfect from the fact that every field officer was either killed or wounded, the greater part of both officers and men was disabled, and the engagement continued for about a week and extended over a distance of some 20 miles at least. Many of those (both officers and men) reported wounded have since died, including our gallant, noble-hearted colonel. Many more must surely die, their wouuds being considered mortal by the surgeons in charge of them. 1 have do doubt but that the killed in battle and those who have died and will die from its effects will amount in the aggregate to near 200.
Good thread
@DR_Hanna ! Thought you might be interested in this, the obituary of Col. Robert A Smith. Seems Col Smith was quite ill on that day. (emphasis mine)
From the
Macon Telegraph (Macon, Bibb Co., GA), 29 July 1862, p. 3, c. 2
[From the Southern Christian Advocate]
Col. Robert A. Smith
On the 4th of July, 1862, an immense concourse of soldiers and citizens followed to their resting place in Rose Hill Cemetery, at Macon by the side of the wife of his early manhood, the remains of Col. R. A. Smith, of the 44th Georgia Regiment, whose sun went down in a blaze of glory during the recent conflict near Richmond. It is due to the dead, and may benefit the living, that one who has known and loved him from boyhood, should place on record an outline of his noble character.
At an early age, perhaps when fourteen or fifteen years old, Col. Smith united with the Methodist Church in Macon, where his membership still remained till his death. At the age of sixteen, he entered the Sophomore Class in Oglethorpe University, at which Institution he graduated in the Class of 1843. His student life was marked with respectable attainments in scholarship - genial and courteous intercourse with his associates, and a wide and varied culture in general literature. Many a fragrant hour he spent, after the demands of the recitation room had been met, with a friend, in discussing the books recently read, or, in a social, easy way, talking of the many themes which spring up in the pathway of the lover of letters. These were, indeed, "ambrosial nights" to which, in after years, he loved to recur. It was a favorite quotation, with him, when referring to this period of his life, in conversation with a friend with whom he had enjoyed those hours of social and intellectual communing:
"We spent them not in lust and wine,
But in the search of deep philosophy,
Arts which I loved."
He uniformly exhibited a rare purity and delicacy of conversation and conduct. The smutty anecdote the coarse jest, so common in the unrestrained intercourse of young men with each other, never sullied his life. Having won the esteem of his follow students and the Faculty; having awakened high anticipations that his would be a bright and useful future; having declined to contend for the honor of his class, because of the wrong feelings which such a contest tends to excite; having, at graduating, delivered a brilliant address, which, to this day, though delivered nineteen years ago is remembered by some who heard it, he left his Alma Mater for the busy world.
In due season he was admitted to the Bar. His professional career was characterized by faithfulness, ability and piety. When employed in criminal cases, he made it a constant practice to seek to lead his clients to Christ. He visited them in prison, not only to talk with them about the impending trial, but to tell them of Jesus and the trial of the Great Day. He was abundant in good works. He visited the poor, the outcast, the suffering - ministering to them in temporal and spiritual things. for a long time he regularly went to the jail of his county, as a minister to the souls of those who might be confined there - white and black. He labored in Sabbath Schools and prayer meetings for the destitute, besides being regular and diligent as a class leader, superintendent or teacher in the Church Sabbath School, and office bearer in the Church of his choice.
A Methodist from conviction, he had broad, warm sympathies for all who lived the Lord. He loved to unite with members of other churches in doing the work of the Master. A more truly Catholic spirit never adorned the Church of Jesus.
In his intercourse with his friends and acquaintances, he sought oppo9rtunity by letter and in conversation, to urge the claims of personal religion. Many are now living whom he has directly urged to come to Christ. Eternity alone can reveal the number of stars in his crown. Of his substance, he gave generously and freely for the promotion of religion, and for the relief of distress.
No man was more severe upon his own faults or more charitable towards those of others. He was an ardent patriot as well as Christian. When the war broke out he was Captain of the "Macon Volunteers." He was ordered to Norfolk with his company - they having promptly tendered their services - in the vicinity of which place they remained about a year, doing effective service in aiding to protect the public property there, and the place itself, from the enemy. When the new regiments were formed early in the Spring, he was elected Colonel of the 44th Ga. Regiment. With the same zeal and diligence which he exhibited as Captain, he entered upon the more onerous duties of his new position. Night and day he was busy endeavoring to bring the regiment to the highest point of excellency both as soldiers and as men. His unwearied labor and exposure brought on disease, from which he suffered for two months before his death.
The fierce ordeal of the soldier's life did not cause his religion to go out in darkness. Writing to a friend, a few weeks since, he said - "During my recent afflictions I have tried to pray more than ever. Night before last, and last night, I passed most of the time in prayer. My illness kept me awake, but I found relief in calling on the name of the Lord."
At two o'clock on the morning of Thursday, the 26th of June, he received orders for his regiment, then near Richmond, to march towards Ellyson's Mills, preparatory to attacking the enemy's battery there. Feeble as he was, unable to mount his horse without assistance, he moved forward his regiment, to which he had already become strongly attached. When they made the terrific charge upon the battery later in the day, he gallantly led them on foot. During the charge he was wounded in three places, and was finally borne from the field.
Two days afterwards, in the thirty eight year of his age, from the effects of his wounds and disease, he died. His freed spirit sped its way to "the shining shore." The nation, the Church, the family, loving friends, the suffering, the destitute, the outcast, the prisoner, are bereaved. His work is done. History will enter his name on the roll of her Christian heroes. Being dead he yet speaketh. Whoever reads this brief tribute of action to his memory - follow him as he followed Christ.