I don't know about "smeared" unless questioning your "most read author" claim is smearing. It's also interesting to note that the only source for that quote seems to be a pro-Confederate Facebook site. Can you tell us when she said it and where?
I don't want to put too fine a point on it, but I did write, “ONE of America's most-read authors. . .” (emphasis added)
If you have information that contradicts, I would, of course, want to read it.
There can be no higher source of credibility than a pro-Confederate source - unless perhaps there can be found some foretelling reference in The Book written by the most read Author of all time.
If such a reference exists, I don't know about it; can't quote it chapter and verse so to speak.