James Milton Smith (October 24, 1823 – November 26, 1890) was a Confederate infantry colonel in the American Civil War, as well as a post-war Governor of Georgia. He was noted as an ardent opponent of Radical Reconstruction. October 24 is the 297th day of the year (298th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 68 days remaining. ... 1823 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... November 26 is the 330th day (331st on leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1890 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... This article is in need of attention. ... Infantry of the 36th Ulster Division, in the First World War Infantry are soldiers who fight primarily on foot, mainly with small arms and operate within organized military units. ... It has been suggested that polkovnik be merged into this article or section. ... The American Civil War (1861–1865) was fought in North America within the United States of America, between twenty-four mostly northern states of the Union and the Confederate States of America, a coalition of eleven southern states that declared their independence and claimed the right of secession from the... This is a list of Governors of the state of Georgia, including governors of the British colony of Georgia. ... In the history of the United States, reconstruction was the period after the American Civil War when the states of the breakaway Confederacy were reintegrated into the United States of America. ...

Smith was born in Twiggs County, Georgia and was educated at the Culloden Academy in Monroe County. He became a lawyer in Hall County in the rural part of the state. In 1855, he unsuccessfully ran for U.S. Representative from his district. With the onset of the Civil War, he entered the Confederate Army as a captain in the 13th Georgia Infantry. He was promoted to major, then to the regiment's colonelcy in 1862. He led his regiment through the Gettysburg Campaign, and marched to the banks of the Susquehanna River before returning to Gettysburg to participate in the Battle of Gettysburg. He was severely wounded in the 1864 Battle of Cold Harbor and returned to Georgia to recuperate. Twiggs County is a county located in the state of Georgia. ... Monroe County is a county located in the state of Georgia. ... Hall County is a county located in the state of Georgia. ... 1855 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... The House of Representatives is the larger of two houses that make up the U.S. Congress, the other being the United States Senate. ... Captain is both a nautical term and a military rank. ... Major is a military rank. ... Eastern Theater operations in 1863, showing Chancellorsville and the Gettysburg Campaign (through July 3) The Gettysburg Campaign was a series of battles fought in June and July, 1863, during the American Civil War. ... The Susquehanna River is a river in the northeastern United States. ... Main article: Gettysburg Campaign The Battle of Gettysburg (July 1–3, 1863), fought in and around the town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, as part of the Gettysburg Campaign, was the largest battle ever fought in North America, and is generally considered to be the turning point of the American Civil War. ... 1864 was a leap year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... The Battle of Cold Harbor, the final battle of Union Lieut. ...

He resigned from the army to enter politics and was elected a Democratic delegate to the Confederate Congress until hostilities ceased in 1865. He established a very successful law partnership in Columbus, Georgia and was elected to the Georgia Legislature in 1870 as an outspoken opponent of Radical Reconstruction. The following year, he became Speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives. The Confederate Congress was the legislative body of the Confederate States of America, existing during the American Civil War between 1861 and 1865. ... 1865 is a common year starting on Sunday. ... Columbus is a city located in Muscogee County, Georgia. ... 1870 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ...

Running unopposed, Smith was elected Governor in 1872 to fill the unexpired term of Rufus B. Bullock, who had fled the state to avoid impeachment and possible punishment. To many, Smith's inauguration on January 12, 1872, symbolized the end of Reconstruction and the "redemption" of the Democratic Party in Georgia. Smith was reelected in 1874, serving until 1877. During his second term, he was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention of 1876. Major accomplishments included restoring the state's credit rating by voiding fraudulent bonds and reducing overall expenditures, retiring the debt and leaving office with a surplus in the state treasury. He was a supporter of creating a state department of agriculture, and was noted for appointing the most qualified candidates to fill openings in his administration, a contrast to the patronage system that was popular at the time. 1872 was a leap year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... January 12 is the 12th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1872 was a leap year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... 1874 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... 1877 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... 1876 is a leap year starting on Saturday. ... Generally, patronage is the act of supporting or favoring some person, group, or institution. ...

Smith was defeated in his bid for the U.S. Senate in 1877. He was named the first chairman of the new Georgia Railroad Commission, serving a 6-year term. Returning to his legal career, his former Civil War commander, John B. Gordon appointed him as Judge of the Chattahoochee Circuit of the Superior Court from 1888 until 1890, when he died at his Columbus home after suffering a stroke. He was buried in Alta Vista Cemetery in Gainesville. The United States Senate is the upper house of the U.S. Congress, smaller than the United States House of Representatives. ... 1877 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... John Brown Gordon John Brown Gordon (February 6, 1832 – January 9, 1904) served as one of Robert E. Lees most trusted generals during the Civil War. ... A judge or justice is an official who presides over a court. ... 1888 is a leap year starting on Sunday (click on link for calendar). ... 1890 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... A stroke or cerebrovascular accident (CVA) occurs when the blood supply to a part of the brain is suddenly interrupted. ... Gainesville is a city located in Hall County in Georgia, a state of the United States of America. ...

He was married twice, first to Sally Marshall Welborn, then after her death to Hester Ann R. Brown.

The Atlanta Constitution eulogized James Milton Smith as "one of the boldest and most fearless men in the history of Georgia."

External links

• Photo Gallery of Georgia Governors