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James was the principal cornetist of the 2nd United States Artillery and was with it in Mexico in the late 1840s and was discharged in 1849.

7/25/1853 Smith's Armory Band and performed a concert on Capital Square, Richmond, VA.
James was a very well-known band leader and there are several articles in the "Daily Dispatch" of the time, about him after the Civil War and numerous references to him and his band in the Virginia Regimental History Book, 1st VA Regiment. Smith's Armory Band was reportedly Jefferson Davis' favorite band.

1/19/1854, the Armory Band gave a concert and the proceeds went to leader James B. Smith whose family had escaped a fire. According to the 1/16/1854 Dispatch the "Fifth Street Saloon" where Smith and his family lived upstairs, burned on the morning of the 15th. Smith was able to rescue his invalid wife and their 2 small children but nothing else. He lost all of his money and belongings, including his favorite horn. It was mentioned that he had played music for the city for the past 10 years (1843).

7/31/1855, the band went to White Sulphur Springs. in 1855 the band published a book of music titled "The Young Guard Quick Step", the publisher was T. D. Clarke of Richmond.

James entered the CSA as a private in the band 4/21/1861and was discharged "by order of the Sec. of War" the following year 1862 as 1st Sargeant. In 1862, he is shown as a Captain and "chief musician" in the 25th battalion, VA Infantry, Co. A in the band. He was admitted to Chimborazo Hospital #3 on 5/3/1862 and later that day transported to the corner of 9th and Broad to spend some time with his family; disease was listed as "debilitas" (too old for service).

10/20/1856, James B. Smith's Armory Band acclaimed a sucess at the military review that marched down Broad Street in Richmond and marched westward to the fair grounds.

5/11/1857, six companies of the regiment, headed by Smith's Armory Band, and escorted by the Richmond Light Infantry Blues, marched down Main Street and boarded the steamer Maryland for Jamestown, where they participated in ceremonies commemorating the 250th anniversary of the first settlement of Virginia. This tour of duty wa voluntary, and the Blues did not make the trip, as they had just returned from Slash Cottage (later Ashland), where they had celebrated their 64th anniversary.

5/22/1858, the 1st Regiment, preceded by Smith's Armory Band, marched through the city's principal streets before boarding the train for Ashland, the site of their five-day encampment at Camp Robinson. On Tuesday night, there were many guest, including members of the City Council, attending the grand civic and military ball at the Ashland Hotel, which ws "brilliantly lighted with gas, adding greatly to the effect produced by the lovely faces, sparkling eyes and fairy forms of the scores of beautiful damsels, as they whirled through the giddy waltz."

4/30/1860, it was announced that the Armory Band, James B. Smith, Leader, had been detached from the Public Guard, and attached to the 1st Regiment. Smith's Band was composed of members of the Public Guard, a light infantry company charged with the protection of state property. It was quartered at the State Armory, hence the name "Armory Band." Since 1845, the band had provided music for military parades in Richmond, and sometimes accompanied companies on out-of-town trips. Concerts were given during summer evenings on Capital Square, and on 7/29/1853, the program included selections from Norma and La Fille du Regiment, marches, waltzes, quicksteps, and instrumental solos. In February 1855, the the band accompanied the Richmond Light Infantry Blues to Philadelphia, where the two organizations paraded on the 22nd as guests of the Washington Grays of that city. The Baltimore Clipper compliment the Blues on their uniforms and drill, and believed that the Armory Band could be "excelled in the execution of music by but few bands in the country." Under the leadership of Smith, the band flourished with great popularity throughout the 1850's. In 1859, an increase in the duties required of the Public Guard threatened to break up the band; however, after consultation between band leader Smith, Captain R. Milton Cary of Company F, and Governor Henry A. Wise, it was agreed to discharge members from the Public Guard if they could find substitutes. Soon after the band was enlisted in the 1st Regiment, friends and admirers of Smith were making efforts to purchase a silver bugle for him as a token of appreciation of his efforts to keep the band together. A professional musician, James B. Smith was a native of Halifax, England, and had served tin the band of the 2nd United States Artillery in the Mexican War.

As there was no provision at this time for mustering in the volunteers except by companies, members of Smith's twelve-piece band were mustered into service as privates in Company I on 4/21/1861, and then detached as musicians to form the regimental band. On 5/24/1861, the day on which the Union forces moved across the Potomac and occupied Alexandria, Colonel Patrick T. Moore's 1st Regiment was ordered to proceed on the next day to Manassas Junction. All men were given leave from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tents were struck early on May 25, and by 8 a.m., hundreds of relatives and friends were at the fair grounds to see the regiment off on the Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad. The cars appeared at 10 a.m., and at the signal by a drum, and while Smith's band played, the companies assembled. Other bands from the camp were on hand, and they all played, mostly "Dixie" and the "Marseillaise." After the 1st Virginia formed in line, Captain Francis J. Boggs offered a prayer for the regiment which entrained to the music of Smith's musicians. Finally, the engine gave a whistle and the train pulled out amid the music from the bands and the cheering of those left behind. All along the route, ladies were assembled at the various stations, Ashland, Frederick Hall, Tolersille, and Louisa Court House, to hand out flowers, cakes, and other tokens, and in response, Smith's band would render some gay tune. From Hanover Junction, the regiment traveled on the Virginia Central to Gordonsville, which was reached about sunset. About 2 a.m. on Mary 26, the train pulled out on the Orange and Alexandria Railroad, and about daylight arrived at Culpeper CourtHouse, where it remained long enough to take on wood. About 10 a.m., on May 26, they readhed Manassas Junction, which consisted of a tavern, two stores, and several dwellings.

In the book "Jefferson Davis, The Man and His Hour", J. B. Smith's band is mentioned as it played at the Executive Mansion in Richmond when Davis returned for Alabama on 1/4/1863.

1880 census had Patrick & Catherine Ware from Ireland living with them.

4/7/1865 the Armory Band serenaded Yankee Major General Godfrey Weitzet at his headquarters. They later serenaded General Shipley, military governor ant Lt. Co. Manning, Provost Marshall. Mrs. & President Lincoln were also in the city on this day.

Owner of the burial plot at Shockoe Cemetary where James was buried was James Cowardin. Dr. at the time of death was D. Adrian Kuyk.

1870 Census, Henrico Co., Virginia (Richmond, Jefferson Ward), age 50, roll 1653, page 410.

1860 Census, #661, Henrico Co., Virginia, Richmond
Smith, James B. 38 M England
, Mary 26 F NY
, Mary V. 1 F VA
Hudson, Richard 18 M VA
Argyle, Edward 20 M VA