Illustrated London News (Aug. 13, 1859), p. 148:

"NEW MUSIC RECEIVED ... W. T. Wrighton's Ballad, 'Her bright Smile haunts me still.' Transcribed for the Piano-forte by B. Richards."

It was also advertised in America in Dwight's Journal of Music (Jan. 7, 1860), p. 328.


With music by Adolf Baumbach, "Her Bright Smile" was copyrighted with the Library of Congress in 1863:

https://tinyurl.com/v5hf9t4

Several memoirists wrote that it was a favorite during the Civil War; it was republished several times in the South, notably in Richmond in 1864. (Other printings are undated.)

In an 1863 letter, Confederate General J.E.B. Stuart recommended the song's sentiments to his wife as especially suited for her.

It's a good parlor song. You can hear various snippets at Amazon.