James Argyle Smith | |
---|---|
Born | Maury County, Tennessee | July 1, 1831
Died | December 6, 1901 Jackson, Mississippi | (aged 70)
Place of burial | |
Allegiance |
United States of America Confederate States of America |
Service/ |
United States Army Confederate States Army |
Rank |
First Lieutenant (USA) Brigadier General (CSA) |
Battles/wars | Sioux Expedition |
James Argyle Smith (July 1, 1831 – December 6, 1901) was a United States Army officer, and a graduate of West Point. He is known for being a Confederate brigadier general during the Civil War, his works in the educational system in Mississippi, and in the Bureau of Indian Affairs. [1]
James Smith was born on 1 July 1831 in Maury County, Tennessee. [2] He went to West Point, graduated in 1853, and became a second lieutenant in the infantry. [3] Smith served in various posts in the west including the Jefferson Barracks Military Post. Smith fought at the Battle of Ash Hollow against the Sioux in 1855. [4] Then from 1857 to 1858, Smith fought in the Utah War against the Mormons. [4] One year after returning from the Utah War Smith was promoted to a first lieutenant. In May 1861 Smith resigned his commission to join the Confederate Army. [5]
Smith joined the Confederate Army in 1861 with the rank of lieutenant. [5] In March 1862 he became a major and the adjutant-general to General Leonidas Polk. [6] At the Battle of Shiloh Smith became the lieutenant-colonel of the Second Tennessee Infantry Regiment. [4] General Bushrod Johnson commended Smith on his bravery at the Battle of Perryville and he was put in command of the 5th Confederate Infantry. [6] His bravery was also noticed at the Battle of Murfreesboro by both General Cleburne and General Leonidas Polk. [4] After his performance at the Battle of Chickamauga and the praise he received from Polk, Smith was promoted to brigadier general. [6] At the Battle of Missionary Ridge General Smith attacked Sherman's flank preventing the Union Army of blocking off General Bragg's retreat. [4] During the Battle of Missionary Ridge Smith was shot through both thighs while leading his men. [5] After recovering Smith fought at the Battle of Atlanta where his brigade captured fifteen artillery pieces. During this battle he was wounded again. [5] He was under the command of Cleburne at the Second Battle of Franklin, and after Cleburne's death Smith took over command at Nashville. [6] General Smith and General William Bate led Cheatham's corps at the Battle of Bentonville. [4]
After starting a farm in Mississippi Smith was elected the Mississippi State Superintendent of Public Education from 1878 to 1886. [1] He then became an agent of the Bureau of Indian Affairs from 1893 to 1897. [1] He later become the Marshal of the Supreme Court of Mississippi. [1] James Argyle Smith died on December 6, 1901, in Jackson, Mississippi and was buried at the Greenwood Cemetery there. [5]