~ Union Veteran of the Civil War ~

- Captain, Company E & Major, 2nd Colorado Infantry.

- Major, 2nd Colorado Cavalry.

- Killed in action at Battle of the Little Blue River.

*Early Life*

James Nelson Smith (frequently referred to as "J. Nelson" or "Nelson") was born on January 25, 1837, in Beaver Dam [located within Wayne Township], Erie County, Pennsylvania. He was the fourth of eight children born to William Smith (1801-1883) and Mary S. Nelson (1809-1851). His older siblings consisted of two brothers, Ebenezer Smith (1831-1906) and Dr. Samuel Dickey Smith (1833-1870), and one sister, Nancy Calvin Smith (1836-1913). His younger siblings consisted of two sisters, Emily Elizabeth Smith (1842-1902) and Esther Catherine Smith (1844-1897), and two brothers, Henry William Smith (1847-1896) and Marcus Stevenson Smith (1849-1917).

The 1850 U.S. Census shows the Smith family as residing in Wayne Township. James Nelson Smith was shown on the census as "Nelson Smith," aged 12, and indicated that he could not read or write at the time the census was taken. His father, William, was listed as a farmer who owned $2,500 worth of property. J. Nelson Smith's obituary would later state that "he was educated in the schools of his own County [Erie County, P.A.] and in the College at Meadville [Allegheny College in Meadville, Crawford County, P.A.]. At an early age he manifested the brilliant intelligence and independent character for which he afterwards became so distinguished in the military service."

Sometime in the Spring of 1859, James Nelson Smith "left his home to seek his fortunes in the then new gold regions of Colorado." He was joined in his travels by his two older brothers, Ebenezer, and Samuel. While enroute to Colorado, the three brothers stopped for a short time in Elwood, Doniphan County, Kansas. While in Elwood, the three made many acquaintances and it was later said that "Maj. [J. Nelson] Smith was of that peculiar cast of character which makes friends of every person with whom its possessor comes in contact… He made friends wherever he went, not because he sought them, but for the reason that he deserved them, and they came to him." It unknown precisely when the three Smith brothers arrived in Colorado, but it was later said that J. Nelson Smith's career in Colorado "was that of an earnest, honest and capable young man."

*Military Service*

After the outbreak of the Civil War, J. Nelson Smith answered "the first call of his country," and enlisted in the Union Army as a Captain on December 1, 1861. That same day, he was commissioned as the Captain of Company E, 2nd Colorado Infantry. By late June 1862, Captain Smith's Company E was "at full strength," and "set out for Fort Lyon on June 24 [1862], arriving on July 1, and in late August a correspondent reported it [Co. E] was 'making rapid progress in drill and discipline, and bound to rank No. 1 in the Colorado Second.'" Sometime before September 1863, Smith was promoted to the rank of Major [Smith was the 2nd Major of the 2nd C.O. Inf. beneath 1st Major Samuel S. Curtis].

While serving with the 2nd Colorado Infantry, Major J. Nelson Smith participated in the First Battle of Cabin Creek (July 1-2, 1863) and the Battle of Honey Springs, also known as the Affair at Elk Creek, (July 17, 1863). At the First Battle of Cabin Creek, Major Smith was ordered to take "Companies E, G, and I of the 2nd Colorado [Infantry], and to charge across the river. The three companies were under Capts. Kimball, Green, and Boyd, and the boys rushed in, waist deep, with a yell that sounded like the shout of a thousand bullwhackers. This seemed to strike terror in the hearts of the secesh, and they broke for their horses. Not a shot was fired by them here after the boys charged."

"On September 16, 1863, Maj. J. Nelson Smith, seeing that 'the companies of this Battalion are getting greatly reduced,' requested permission to recruit at Fort Smith, attracting several Arkansas Unionists who had been hiding in the hills or had deserted from the Confederate forces then in retreat from that section of the state."

In October 1863, the 2nd Colorado Cavalry Regiment was organized at St. Louis, Missouri, through the consolidation of the 2nd Colorado Infantry and 3rd Colorado Infantry. J. Nelson Smith retained his rank of Major upon his transfer to the 2nd Colorado Cavalry and was appointed commander of one of the regiment's battalions. It was later said that "since that time, as Major of the Second Colorado Cavalry, he [Smith] has served his country in Colorado, in New Mexico, in Kansas, in the Indian Territory and in Missouri. Wherever that gallant regiment has marched, Major Smith has been with them, and always in the front." With the 2nd Colorado Cavalry, Smith fought in the Battle of Camden Point (July 13, 1864), the Second Battle of Lexington (October 19, 1864), and the Battle of Little Blue River (October 21, 1864).

In March 1864, "upon taking command of the post at Independence, Missouri [which was comprised of two companies from the 2nd C.O. Cav.]… Maj. J. Nelson Smith reported that 'there are at this Station and in the vicinity of this Station from two hundred (200) to three hundred (300) refugees (black) consisting of old men, women and children who are unable to get work, and thereby support themselves, consequently [they] have to be supplied by [the] Government with rations wood &c. I would therefore most respectfully recommend that one or more of the deserted farms, in this vicinity, and belonging to rebels, be appropriated to their use,' so that they 'would be enabled, not only to support themselves (and thereby save a great expense to the Government) but would bring a revenue in to Government.' Indeed, the initial issue of the regimental newspaper, the Soldier's Letter, reported that in Independence, 'many houses are tenantless, or occupied only by refugees, a large portion of whom are Blacks.' Whether Smith knew it or not, he was recommending a process already in place across the South in contraband camps stretching from the Sea Islands off the Carolina coast to the Mississippi Delta."

Additionally, once Major Smith and the companies under his command settled into their new post, "they began the monotonous routine of patrolling that gave them essential knowledge of the local conditions, in order to disrupt the 'household' networks that sustained their opponents… On March 25 [1864], Major Smith reported from Snibar Station that he had located Company M [of the 2nd C.O. Cav.] on the Mason Farm, 'about 5 miles southeast of Blue Springs, as forage can more easily be obtained at this point.' Smith's justification for doing so was that 'it was more centrally located' than the previous post at Blue Springs and 'at the same time protection can be afforded to many more citizens who may wish to return, as this has been a much more thickly settled country than about Blue Springs.' The Second Colorado was rapidly becoming caught up in the ancient counterinsurgency dilemma of dispersing forces across the area to be controlled but maintaining sufficient strength to respond to the insurgents' threats, especially when the opponent had the initiative and could concentrate his forces at the time and place of his own choosing."

A July 1, 1864, account written by the 2nd Colorado Cavalry's chaplain, Rev. Lewis Hamilton, which provides a brief glimpse at the camp life of the 2nd Colorado Cav., stated that "while administering religious tracts among the officers of a court-martial, advising 'here is ... something to put in the knapsack,' Major Smith allegedly responded, alluding perhaps to Catholic chaplains' habit of carrying communion wine, 'Chaplain, have you anything to put in the canteen?'"

Major J. Nelson Smith's October 15, 1864, report to Colonel James H. Ford on the state of the 2nd Colorado Cavalry, which was encamped in Independence, Missouri, read as follows, "COL.: I have the honor to report that in pursuance to instructions received from you on the 13th instant I proceeded at 9.30 same evening with Companies A, G, F, and L to this place. When about half-way to this place I met Capt. Moses with his company (M) and Company C. I came to this place with the whole command (six companies), arriving at 1 o'clock next a.m. I then quartered my men in the public square, hitching my horses outside the same. At this place (Independence) I learned that an attack was expected at daylight in the a.m. I remained here until 0 a.m. (quartering my men on the citizens for their breakfast, as my command had no rations), then moved with my whole command east (down the Missouri River) fifteen miles, where I met a citizen by the name of Drake, who was from the vicinity of Lexington, who informed me that the day before two bodies of the enemy (either bushwhackers or Confederate troops), one of 200 and the other of 100, had crossed the Missouri River going north, while it was reported that larger parties had crossed the river going north, and it was also currently reported that a larger force of the enemy had crossed the river going north. It was also reported (by pretty reliable authority) that Gen. Price with a command of 8,000 had left the vicinity of Lexington last Wednesday, going south. I proceeded from the point above referred to, traveling nearly due south until I arrived near the south line of Jackson County. I then traveled in a southwesterly direction for about ten miles; then in a northwesterly direction until I reached Hickman Mills, arriving at that place at 9 o'clock last evening, where, finding that all the troops of your command had left, and my own command being too much fatigued to go farther, I went into camp, where I remained until sunrise this a.m., when I proceeded to this place, arriving at 9.30, having traveled a distance of eighty or eighty-five miles, my men having nothing to eat since yesterday a.m. at 6 o'clock. Very respectfully, J. NELSON SMITH, Maj. Second Colorado Cavalry, Cmdg."

"On October 16 [1864], [Colonel] Ford reported that he had received word that the van of the Confederate troops had arrived in Lexington [Missouri] on October 14, but the main body was still at Boonville. Ford's scouts still had not made contact. On October 17, Major Smith took three hundred troopers from the Second Colorado and Sixteenth Kansas Cavalry into Lexington but found the town deserted. Determined to contact Price's van, he proceeded southeast six miles until he reached the Confederate army's pickets, which he attacked, killing two. Smith pulled back and relayed this intelligence to Curtis, who learned of Price's dispositions on the eighteenth. Curtis recognized Smith, who had but a few days left to live, as a "gallant soldier whose character is displayed in this daring advanced movement." Forward elements of General Blunt's Army of the Border arrived in Lexington the day after Smith, but they were pushed out a day later when Price's troops arrived in force. Fortunately for the counterinsurgency effort, Price now gathered the guerrillas, including [George] Todd's band, into his command, reducing depredations and increasing the likelihood of their falling in battle."

*Death at the Battle of the Little Blue River*

On October 21, 1864, Major James Nelson Smith was killed in action while serving as acting commander of the 2nd Colorado Cavalry at the Battle of the Little Blue River in Jackson County, Missouri. During the Battle of the Little Blue River, Major General James G. "Blunt advanced with Jennison's First Brigade, consisting of his Fifteenth Kansas and the Third Wisconsin Cavalry, and Ford's Fourth Brigade, consisting of 384 men of the Second Colorado, a 400-man battalion of the Sixteenth Kansas Cavalry, and the 116 artillerists of McLain's Colorado Battery of five three-inch rifles and one mountain howitzer, recently arrived from the territory. Blunt expected to find Moonlight's Second Brigade falling back but instead found him well posted on a hill near Salem Church and thus deployed the combined force to continue the delaying action. Colonel Ford reported that he 'left Independence at 10 A.M. and reached Little Blue in about one hour. I then received orders to place the Sixteenth Kansas Cavalry on the left of Colonel Moonlight's brigade, the battery near the center of the line and the Second Colorado on the right. We immediately dismounted and advanced into the bluffs and became at once engaged, the enemy having crossed the stream before our arrival. We held our ground, advancing slightly for some time, and at one time drove the enemy in great confusion, but his force being too overwhelmingly large he threw a large body to the right, which compelled our right to give back slowly.'"

"During this action, Major Smith was struck by a minie ball that pierced his left lung and, falling from his horse, never spoke again.... At the announcement of his death, the men, who almost worshipped him, sent up a savage yell of revenge and under the command of the brave Capt. Green, the next officer in charge, they stood there, almost completely unsheltered, and delivered a volley that sent a storm of leaden hail into the enemy's ranks, causing many of them to bite the dust, among whom was the notorious [George] Todd, who was pierced by several balls and fell dead from his horse. Including Major Smith, the regiment lost six men killed and ten more wounded in the sharp engagement, the heaviest toll yet on the regiment's manpower."

However, various accounts of Major Smith's death were published, along with several stories of him "predicting to his friends his pending death before the battle. In sifting through these accounts, it is most likely that Smith was killed not long before the general withdrawal to Independence began, just as the superior Confederate numbers started to take their toll. The 2nd Colorado Cavalry saw some of the heaviest fighting during Blunt's counterattack and was near the center of the line, most likely defending the main avenue of approach along the Lexington-Independence Road. Captain George West, F Company, 2nd Colorado, believed he was the last officer to whom Smith issued orders. They were in a skirmish line along a fence at the top of a hill when a large force of enemy cavalry advanced toward them at a gallop. Smith, standing next to West, said aloud, "There comes Shelby, hell-bent! Get your boys back on their horses and be ready for him." After riding away to carry out his order, West looked back in time to see Smith fall from his horse. No other battle of the war made a greater impression on him than the battle of the Little Blue, most likely due to the death of Smith."

"A. C. Jones was a staff officer for Curtis, specifically the inspector of cavalry. He commented with reverence about the 2nd Colorado Cavalry, stating that half the companies had white horses, the other half black, and were always fighting the hardest in the hardest fights. He recalled being with Smith when he died as he had just delivered a message from Moonlight. According to Jones, Smith had a wounded right hand that prevented him from writing his response. In his account, both men were dismounted, (different from West's account) and Jones began writing Smith's dictated response. As he did, some artillery shells burst in their vicinity, spooking the horses. As his horse moved, Smith became exposed to enemy sharpshooter fire and was fatally struck. Other accounts state that he died charging into battle at the front of his unit, others describe him dying later during the withdrawal. One account even has him in a head-to-head duel with the notorious rebel partisan George Todd [Smith's notice of reinterment states that "Major Smith killed the notorious guerilla Col. Todd and that Todd killed him by shots fired simultaneously"]. Regardless, it is clear that Smith's death was a significant event that the Union Soldiers present at the Little Blue clung to in their memories. It was also one of the singular highlights brought out in newspaper reports of the battle all across the Union (and even in the south) almost as though Major Nelson Smith was a nationally known figure."

*Burial*

Ultimately, regardless of how Major Smith was killed, his body was recovered from the battlefield by his men. After the conclusion of the battle, late in the afternoon of October 22, 1864, "a number of men paused briefly for a funeral for Major Smith 'in a tiny cemetery near the McGee house north of Westport.'" Other publications state that Smith was "buried Saturday afternoon, October 22d, in a cemetery between Westport and Kansas City. General Curtis attended the funeral, but left before the ceremonies were ended, ordering the band to follow him to Wyandotte," or that "the officers and soldiers gave Major Smith a military burial in Kansas City." A short time later, on November 3, 1864, Major Smith's older brother, Samuel, arrived at the place of his younger brother's burial to have his remains reinterred in Greenwood Cemetery outside of Leavenworth, Kansas. As Major Smith's body was transported to Greenwood Cemetery, his brother "with a few friends and soldiers, followed the remains of this gallant officer to their last sad resting place."

Major Smith's obituary, published in the 9 December 1864 issue of 'The Rocky Mountain News,' read as follows: "Official Obituary [General Orders - No. 47], Headquarters, Second Colorado Cavalry, Fort Leavenworth, Kan., Nov. 23, 1864. - It is with profound sorrow and regret that the Colonel Commanding has to announce to the regiment, the decease of a gallant and worthy officer, the late Major J. Nelson Smith, who was killed in the battle of the Little Blue, on the 21st day of October 1864 while bravely leading into battle the regiment, which he was commanding. Major Smith first entered the service of the United States, on the 12th of April. 1862, as Captain of Company "E," Second Colorado Volunteer Infantry, in which position he served until March, 1863, when he was promoted to Major in the same regiment, which position he filled until his decease. The highest meed of praise a soldier can receive is his, he always did his duty well. Strict in discipline, devoted to the comfort of his men, zealous in the service of his country, always seeking the post of danger and responsibility equal to any emergency, affable and agreeable at all times, the regiment suffers a very severe loss in his death, and the service one of its most useful and talented officers. As a token of respect to his memory, the officers of the regiment will wear the usual badge of mourning for thirty days. By order of Col. J. H. Ford."

*Legacy*

Smith County, Kansas and Smith Center, Kansas were both later named in honor of Major J. Nelson Smith upon their formation in 1871.

When submissions were being considered for a statue to commemorate Union soldiers from Colorado Territory that would be placed outside the state capitol in Denver, according to the 4 May 1906 issue of the 'Elbert County Banner' "Nothing has transpired recently, we believe, relating to further consideration of the erection of a monument to the memory of Colorado soldiers of the Civil War, or at least since the very proper turning down of the plans submitted by a young lady of Denver some time since. Having been one who "went fourth to do battle" from Colorado this writer may be pardoned for making a suggestion which he hopes will be taken in the same spirit in which it is tendered. As all the Colorado troops were mounted, either as cavalry or artillery, it seems to us fitting that the monument should represent either one or the other arms of the service. We suggest that such a base for the monument be erected as the funds available will admit of, to be adorned by a bronze or marble mounted figure of a soldier. Now for our main suggestion, which we have never heard mentioned before: Major J. Nelson Smith, senior major of the Second Colorado, was the highest officer in rank among the Colorado contingent to be killed in battle during the civil war. Every officer and man in his regiment loved him for his coolness and bravery in battle and for his geniality and kindness at all times. The instantly fatal bullet sent him to his death at the battle of the Little Blue, in Missouri, in 1864, while he was coolly directing the movements of his command in front of Gen. Price's forces. As this writer was within five feet of him when he fell, he well remembers every detail of the sad occurrence, and can give the committee any details they may require, and we are sure every officer and soldier of the Second, if not of all the other regiments, would be proud and gratified to see the figure of Major J. Nelson Smith adorn the Colorado soldiers' monument and the committee is earnestly urged to consider the matter."

The possibility of Major Smith serving as the subject of the statue was later written on in the 21 June 1906 issue of 'The Colorado Transcript' - "It is now positively stated that the site for the monument in honor of Colorado soldiers who fell during the war of the rebellion has been decided upon by the commission having the matter in charge, which is the spacious landing directly in front of the steps leading to the Broadway entrance to the state capitol. It is a most commanding and satisfactory location, and we trust no further delay in the commencement of the work will be permitted. It has been ascertained that the foundation and base will cost not to exceed $12,000, leaving $3,000 of the state's appropriation for a bronze figure to surmount it. We believe that more than ninety per cent of the surviving Colorado soldiers, the ones most directly interested are in favor of a figure representing the cavalry branch of the service, and that the figure should represent the late Major J. Nelson Smith, of the 2nd Colorado cavalry, the highest officer in rank of all the Colorado contingent to lose his life upon the field of battle. All would be glad to see the monument completed and ready for unveiling on the 42nd anniversary of the the battle of Little Blue, in which our gallant leader fell, which will be in October next."

~ This biography of Maj. J. Nelson Smith was written by Robert Mayer III (50468536), with the information in it obtained from various sources, the specifics of which will be produced upon request.