A Memorial Service was held at 11.00 hrs Saturday 15th. September 2007 at the Dean Cemetery, Edinburgh.
This page is dedicated to Colonel Robert A. Smith. Born in Edinburgh in 1836, he ran off to America in 1850 rather than become a Cleric in Scotland. He lived with his Brother and sister-in-law in Jackson, Mississippi.
He joined the local militia, and when the Civil War broke out, having attained the rank of Captain, he was on May 28th. 1861, elected to be the Colonel of the 10th. Mississippi Infantry. He was only 25 years old.
It is said that there was a General who was envious of the young Colonel's popularity, and so when there was an opportunity to send the young Scottish Confederate to his certain death, the General ordered him in.
So it was that on September 14th. 1862, the young Colonel lead his men into battle at the Charge of Fort Craig, Monfordsville, Kentucky.
40 died in the charge. Colonel Smith dies a week later from his injuries.
He is buried in Jackson Mississippi. There are four monument in his name. One in Jackson, Mississippi, one in Monfordsville, Kentucky where he fell. The monument in Edinburgh (pictured below) erected to his memory by his brother. The fourth is at a family plot in a grave yard in North London.
