CS Con ★★★ Smith, James Milton, Jr. - C.S. Congressman, GA

James Milton Smith Jr.

:CSA1stNat:
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Born: October 24, 1823

Birthplace: Twiggs County, Georgia

Father: Rev. James Milton Smith Sr.

Mother: Martha

1st​ Wife: Hester Ann R. Brown Unknown – 1880
(Buried: Alta Vista Cemetery, Gainesville, Georgia)​

2nd​ Wife: Florida Abercrombie 1840 – 1925
(Buried: Linwood Cemetery, Columbus, Georgia)​

Political Party: Democratic Party
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Occupation before War:


Blacksmith in in Twiggs County, Georgia​
1846 – 1861: Attorney in Columbus, Georgia​
1855: Unsuccessful Candidate for United States Congressman​

Civil War Career:
1861: Captain Company D, 13th​ Georgia Infantry Regiment​
1861 – 1862: Major of 13th​ Georgia Infantry Regiment​
1862: Lt. Colonel of 13th​ Georgia Infantry Regiment​
1862: Wounded at the Battle of Gaines Mill, Virginia​
1862 – 1863: Colonel of 13th​ Georgia Infantry Regiment​
1863: Regimental commander at the Battle of Gettysburg​
1863: Resigned as Colonel on December 14th​
1864 – 1865: Confederate States Congressman from Georgia​
1864 – 1865: Member of House Military Affairs Committee​
He was convinced that war legislation had reached its limits.​
He refused to extend existing programs or to attempt such experiments such as arming the slaves or impressment specie​
He supported the search for better commanding Generals​
Opposed new exemptions from military service​
Worked to reorganize depleted army units into more effective units.​
1865: February he was resigned to last – ditch local defense​
Smith Advocated the discharge of all men over forty – five and a change from conscription to requisitions on the governors.​
1865: Became a strong advocate for peace movement​

Occupation after War:

1865 – 1872: Attorney in Columbus, Georgia​
Successfully helped defended the "Columbus prisoners" accused of murdering a leading white Republican who had fraternized with negroes.​
1871: Georgia State Representative​
While in the state house denounced Reconstruction so boldly, he was elected Georgia State Speaker of House.​
1872 – 1877: Governor of Georgia​
1872: In his inaugural address he announced the end of Reconstruction in Georgia and redemption of the Democratic Party.​
1876: Georgia Delegate to Democratic Party National Convention.​
1877: Unsuccessful Candidate for United States Senator​
1879 – 1885: Chairman of Georgia State Railroad Commission​
1888 – 1890: Judge of Columbus, Georgia Superior Court​

Died:
November 25, 1890

Place of Death: Columbus, Georgia

Age at time of Death: 67 years old

Burial Place: Alta Vista Cemetery, Gainesville, Georgia

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He was defeated in 1877 in a run for Senator. It very well may have been from a remark that he made in 1876. In an interview Smith made the remark that African Americans were "idle, thriftless" and "always depending on whites for everything". It was later determined blacks had been 46% of his constituents.
 
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