James Milton Smith Jr.
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
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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