Smith and his gallant corps, did their part bravely in the futile attack.  They were just back from Butler’s abortive movement to Bermuda Hundred, in which by good management on the part of the General, and by steadiness on the part of the men, they had saved the expedition from a disgraceful defeat.  They were not only hungry and tired, but disgusted with the incompetency of Butler and his abortive plans.  The situation which confronted them was most discouraging.  They were on new and unknown ground, but they had not yet worn themselves out against Lee’s veterans and therefore they cheerfully took the position assigned them.  Smith with his usual foresight and deliberation made haste to examine the ground in his front, and by availing himself of the advantages which his trained eye soon detected he was enabled to direct his main attack along a sheltering depression against a weak point, where he reached and broke through the enemy’s line.  He needed only the prompt and vigorous support that intelligent prevision and co-operation would have given, to make his lodgement safe and his victory certain.  But as no one above him seems to have expected victory, no proper provision was made to ensure it.  No supports were at hand.  Each corps commander was looking out for his own front only, and not for his neighbor’s.  The Confederates were more wise and more alert, and seeing the danger which threatened the continuity of their line, made haste to concentrate their forces against Smith and of course hurled him back with terrible loss.

Smarting under this unnecessary disaster, and grieving over the useless loss and suffering of his gallant men, it was but natural that he should vent his feelings in sharp and caustic denunciation of all who were in any degree responsible for the blunder.  He was especially outspoken with Grant and Rawlins, whose confidence he had won in the Chattanooga campaign, and with whom he had since been on terms of the closest intimacy and friendship.  It is but just to note that they did not at that time appear to consider his criticism as in any sense directed against them nor did they rebuke or condemn it, but to the contrary they gave him every assurance of sympathy and approval.

But Smith although one of the heaviest sufferers, was not the only or even the severest critic, of the mismanagement or lack of management which characterized that disastrous day.  The result was most demoralizing to the army.  Officers of every grade were unreserved in their condemnation.  The newspaper criticism was wide-spread and continuous.

It was with special reference to the useless slaughter at Cold Harbor that the gallant and invincible Upton, then coming to be widely recognized as the best practical soldier of his day, immediately wrote in confidence to his sister.

“I am disgusted with the generalship displayed.  Our men have in many instances been foolishly and wantonly sacrificed.  Thousands of lives might have been spared by the exercise of a little skill; but as it is, the courage of the men is expected to obviate all difficulties.  I must confess that so long as I see such incompetency, there is no grade in the army to which I do not aspire.”

Later referring to the same battle, he adds: