A Family Lynching

          “Why is that limb  in the closet next to the front door?” was a question I asked my Grandmother “Mama” Stowe in the 1940s.  That question would always lead to her abrupt change in the subject.  On the other hand, my family was dedicated to both written and oral history.  The cardboard boxes of paperwork  curated and passed down from generation to generation currently residing in my library  attest to this. One of my greatest sources of oral family history was my Great Aunt “Auntie” Owen (Emma Eliza Read Owen 1843-1947).

 

Photo at the Elms.  Standing Mrs. Rosie Read (Mama Stowe) boy is Noel Read Stowe,

seated Mrs. Emma Owen (Auntie) on her 100th birthday ( R. Stowe photo Dec 3 1943)

                When I was four or five it was my job and responsibility to drag “Auntie's” back across her bedroom floor every 30 minutes.  She would have a coal fire in her grate everyday of the year, including July and August and would rock closer and closer to the fire. Auntie, who lived to be nearly 104 years old, was a sister of my Great Grandfather Dr. Andrew Read.  When she was in her late 90s and before the onset of dementia, Auntie described to me, in detail, life in Talbot County in the second half of the 19^th and early 20^th Century.

                                        Daniel Grant Owen Family Home (R. Stowe photo 1946)

                When my Great Aunt Sarah Beaufort Read Owen (1839-1887) died my Great Uncle Dan married her sister, Emma Eliza Read.  In some cases, as in other families in the south, my family practiced a sororate. That is the custom that a widower should marry his deceased wife’s sister if she was unmarried.

In the late 1800s my cousin, Miss Sallie Emma Owen (1871-1896), daughter of Great Uncle Dan Owen and “Auntie’s” sister Great Aunt Sallie Read Owen, was murdered by a young dentist, Dr. Will Ryder.  Miss Sallie Emma and her sister, Lizzie Mae Owen (1874-1946), were both visiting at the

     Sallie Emma Owen (R. Stowe collection, Jabes Art Gallery, Auburn, AL 1800s)

 

John McCoy home in Talbotton, GA.  Earlier, Dr. Ryder had become smitten with Sallie Emma and was very jealous of her friends.  After attending the Talbotton Methodist Church in the evening Sallie Emma and Gus Persons returned to the McCoy home and because of the chilly evening air, were seated in front of the fire.  Shortly after that Jennie Beall, Emma’s sister (Lizzie Mae Owen) and Mary Matthews  joined them.  At about 9:00 Dilly Canty, a black man, saw someone standing in

Daniel Grant Owen and Sallie Read Owen.  Parents of Cousin Sallie Emma Owen

 (, R. Stowe Collection, Jabes Art Gallery Auburn, Alabama 1870)  

 

the shadows near the front door of the home.  Just after 9 PM there were two blasts from a shotgun and Miss Sally Emma slumped in her chair.  She had been killed instantly.  Ryder then raced back to his room at the Western House Hotel where he gulped down a handful of pills in an attempt to kill himself. From the rooming house Ryder fled to Pearson’s pond where he was later discovered partially conscious, muddy, bloody and concealed by lily pads.  About midnight, Dr. E. L. Bradwell, in an attempt to save Ryder, pumped his stomach and treated him for poisoning.  After a partial recovery he was thrown in jail in Columbus, GA.  The Grand Jury met and he was indicted for the murder of Sallie Emma.  Then followed a trial in the Talbot County Court house.  The ensuing trial consisted of both an outstanding prosecutor and defense under the direction of Judge William Butt.  Feelings ran high in that part of west-central Georgia.  Throughout the trial Ryder was kept under heavy guard by Talbot County Sheriff Burrell.  The State of Georgia vs. W. L. Ryder was covered region-wide by both the Atlanta Constitution and the Tabotton New Era.  The defense stated that many of these articles were inflammatory. 

                In one of these, a reporter describing the scene of the tragedy for the constitution wrote “Everywhere was blood, the bright warm, accusing blood of the most popular woman in the county.  The assassin (Ryder) did his work well.  Every drop of blood drained from the heart of his victim – it was in frightful evidence everywhere – on the carpet, chairs, pictures, everywhere.  With pitiful insistence it flowed about the floor – until to the horrified eyes looking on – it seemed to creep out the door, into the street, onto the courthouse nearby, into the great iron safe where the statute books are, and there write its fearful protest.”  Other reports called the killing “a senseless crime,” the “act of a madman,” and “murder by a jealous suitor.”  The front page story in the Constitution on April 7^th started off, “Never in the criminal history of Georgia has a chapter more sensational, more dramatic or more to be deplored been written than the one that was traced here last night.  Love, jealousy, murder and an attempt at suicide were the features of the horrible story …” Many other news stories referred to Ryder as the “murderer” though no witness ever identified him as being at the scene at the time of the shooting. (There was a Land:pp. 173-174)

 

Throughout the trial he was kept in the Columbus jail being moved back and forth to trial in Talbotton by Sheriff Butt and a squad of deputies. The trial was considered one of the largest in the history of Georgia courts.  After deliberation, the foreman brought back the verdict, which made the front pages of papers throughout the state “ROPE FOR RYDER”:

 

                The jury was out for a very short while when its foreman rapped on the door.  Returning to the jury box, Judge Butt intoned the usual query “Gentlemen, have you reached a verdict?”  When the foreman answered yes he told Sol. Gilbert to publish the verdict.  “We the jury find the defendant guilty.  This September 26, 1896. J. E. Garrett, foreman.”

                Without a recommendation of mercy, Dr. Ryder knew this meant death by hanging.  He looked ghostly white, his eyes glued to the floor as the verdict was read.  Judge Butt broke the deadly silence. “Bring the prisoner forward.”

                Dr. Ryder was helped from his chair by two guards.  As he faced the judge, he did not appear to hear or realize what was happening.  He never blinked his eyes when Judge Butt concluded the sentence with the words “and on January 15, 1897 be hanged by your neck until dead.” (There was a Land: 178)

 Upon hearing the verdict there was a clamor among Ryder’s friends that the sentence was illegal and demand made for a new trial because of errors in the original.  The new trial was scheduled for July 19,1897.  Sometime was spent during the initial trial investigating the possibility that Dr. Ryder was insane when he killed Miss Owen.  There were additional problems with the trial.  Judge Butt became sick and was replaced by Judge John C. Harn. Also, during the proceedings Ryder had attempted suicide numerous times.  In the late 1800s Georgia law required that when a trial ended in a capital conviction the guilty had to be executed in not less than 30 days – or more than 60 days.  The judge’s sentence took longer than 60 days to carry out and since the guilty had not been executed by that date a mistrial was declared.  Friends and family of the murdered girl decided that enough time had passed since the beginning of the trial, the guilty verdict, and the ultimate sentence. They became enraged and decided to take Ryder’s execution into their own hands.  The accused was transported by buggy from the courthouse to Waverly Hall where he was to be put on the train with his guards to travel back to his cell in Columbus.    A mob formed with the intent of overtaking the buggy and administering some quick Georgia justice.  The mob caught up with the buggy on the Alabama Road (Hwy. 36), which runs to Thomaston, outside Woodland, GA.  The mob initially planned to take Ryder back to the McCoy house where the murder had occurred and lynch him there.  The approach of Sheriff Richards and 20 deputies called for a change in plans.  Ryder was taken to a tree near the John M. Willis farm house.  His shirt was covered with blood where hand cuffs had cut into his wrists. The mob then tied a rope  around his legs  and another length of rope was made into a hangman’s noose.  In preparation for hanging he was allowed a final prayer. They then put Ryder on the shoulders of mob members. Ryder was then dropped and allowed to hang.

                Later, Dr. Ryder’s father and brothers claimed the body.  Subsequently, Pinkerton detectives identified members of the mob:
 

                After two days of investigation, the Grand Jury brought in its report on Tuesday afternoon, September 14^th 1897.  It simply said, “After investigating this matter diligently and examining a large number of witnesses, we have not secured evidence enough to indict anyone.”

                Thus ended the tragedy that affected, in one way or another, practically every citizen of Talbot County. (This was Their Land: 180)

 

 Sallie Owen's Grave in the Owen Family Cemetery, Pleasant Hill, Georgia (R. Stowe Photo 2006)

                It was more than 70 years after originally asking my Grandmother about the limb in the closet, that a cousin asked me if there was a liimb at my house, to which I said yes.  She also asked me about the murder of my cousin Sallie Emma and the resulting lynching of Dr. Ryder of which I had no knowledge.  This branch of the hanging tree was used as a reminder of the horrible series of events that had happened almost 100 years before.

The major sources for this Blog are:
The Atlanta Constitution Newspaper.
Davidson, William H. A Rockaway in Talbot (Vols. I-IV – 1893-1996).
Owen Family. Oral history and photographs.
“The Ryder Murder Case” in There was a Land. A Story of Talbot County, Georgia and its People. Robert H. Jordan 1971.
Stowe Family. Oral history and photographs.
The Talbotton New Era. Vol. LXXI Talbotton, Georgia, Thursday. Dec 3, 1943
http://www.columbusgeorgiaonline.com/cgo-features/ins-outs-of-harris-county/murder-talbot-county-part-one/
http://www.columbusgeorgiaonline.com/harris_county21htm

Incident at Snyder's Bluff

 

DARING ACT AT COWAN’S BATTERY ON SNYDER'S BLUFF DURING THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG

 

                My Grandmother, Mrs. Rosie Read Stowe, was the Granddaughter of Col. James F. Dowdell, commander of the 37^th Alabama during the siege of Vicksburg.  This account, sent to Mrs. Stowe on January 23 1903, was either typed on Flatau Manufacturing Company letterhead.  It was in a box of her papers she left me in the 1950s.  This account by Louis Spencer Flatau was read by my Grandmother at a meeting of the Robert E. Lee Chapter No. 192, Opelika, Alabama, United Daughters of the Confederacy. She was historian of the Chapter and at the end of the letter there is a handwritten note that specifies that the letter was “written for and read by Mrs. I. N. Stowe”.  Since Flatau’s version did not copy well I have provided a transcription of the account. 

                Cpl. Louis Spencer Flatau, known to his friends as “Spence”, was with Cowan’s Battery, Featherston’s Brigade, Loring’s Division at the battle of Snyder’s Bluff which was on the Yazoo River just north of Vicksburg.  Cowan’s was part of the confederate works.   

                Gen. Grant had ordered Gen. Sherman to engage in a feint on the Yazoo River which entered the Mississippi immediately north of the bluffs at Vicksburg.  This was intended to distract Confederate troops and keep them from reinforcing those at Grand Gulf and Bruinsburg where he was actually planning on crossing the river south of Vicksburg.   The bluff was a very defensible position for the confederate forces and they were well entrenched with plenty of artillery.

                Mr. Flatau, while serving as a Cpl. at Snyder’s Bluff was later known as Captain Flatau.  He was born in San Augustine, Texas and later served as a steamboat pilot on the Red and Mississippi Rivers.  However, he is best known as an inventor, holding patents and at the time of communication with my Grandmother he was an officer with Flatau’s Weather Roofing and Fire Proof paint.  Mr. Flatau was living in St. Louis when he died in 1920.

                The use of this letter caused me some concern.  I did not want to rehash a historical account that was widespread.  I did a diligent search including the late 19^th and early 20^th Century Confederate Veteran magazine, the Internet and period histories.  A similar account was discovered in the February 25, 1903 copy of the Yonker’s Statement.  While the facts were the same, the version contained there is either paraphrased or placed in quotation marks.  Also, a short blurb concerning activities at Cowan’s Battery appeared in “Reminisces of the Boys in Blue and Gray, 8601-1865”, edited by Mamie Young 1912.

 

 

 

"One of the bravest and most daring acts that was done during the war, as told by L. S. Flatau of Texas, a member of Cowan’s Battery of Vicksburg, Miss., and who is now Chief of Ordinance on General W. L. Cobell’s Staff, United Confederate Veterans of Texas.

                This act was performed by a Federal soldier whose name was Allen.  Flatau with many friends in his battery and the infantry support was an eye witness.  As related by him, the Confederate forces were massed at Snyder’s Bluff above Vicksburg on the Yazoo River, this being the best way for General Grant to land his forces so as to invest Vicksburg.  His transports were loaded with soldiers and came up the Yazoo River accompanied by their gun boats so as to make the landing and fight their way around the city.  He made a feint at the same time at Bruinsburg.  We anticipated the attack by the way of Snyder’s Bluff, some miles above the city on the Yazoo.  We were well entrenched and arrayed and anxious for the attack, hoping that it would be made by this route.  My Battery was in a fine position, supported by Wall’s Legion and part of Hebert’s Louisiana Brigade, is my best recollection. The Yankee transports, accompanied by the gun boats, were in full view of us across an old but beautiful farm in the bottom, we being in line of battle in our works at the foot of the hills, about a mile from the river with nothing in the way between us and the enemy whatever, except right near the banks of the river was a considerable growth of heavy timber.  They landed between seven and ten thousand men from the transports, formed in line as though they were preparing to advance and charge our works.  When we were just expecting them to make this move, there was a horseman moved out from their line and rode direct to out center down an old turn-road in the field in plain view of every one in our line of battle. This old turn-road was straight and level with no obstruction whatever, as he left the Yankee line they fired volley after volley, as it were, at the rider, but he rode direct to us at break-neck speed, and when within 150 yards of us he pulled his hat from his head and whipped the beautiful animal he rode with his hat, and at the top of his voice cried “Hurray for Kentucky!”  The animal he was riding, coming at this fearful speed, jumped the breastworks within ten feet of my gun and never left her tracks.  She was the very perfection of horse flesh, a dark roan color, and as she stood breathing in her tracks with her nostrils expanding and contracting so that thin that the Sun shone through them like silk, I thought the rider and the horse was the most beautiful picture I ever beheld, and he was one man in the world I envied at the time.  He wore a blue Kentucky Jeans suit and had buckled about him a beautiful pair of ivory handled Remington pistols.  His name was engraved on the pistols, is how I knew his name was Allen.  When he landed, as it were, he exclaimed in a loud voice: “Helloo, Boys, how are you?  I have longed to join you, this was rather a desperate feat, but I took the opportunity, and I am with you.  God bless all of you, how are you anyhow?”  Our boys began to crowd around him, and in a few minutes there were more than one hundred of us looking and talking with this newcomer.  One of the officers came up and ordered us to disperse or we would draw the fire of the enemy, and of course a shot from the gun boats fired at us might have been effective.

                In the meantime, one of my company, Joe Willis, asked to look at one of the pistols.  Willis had the pistol in his hand and many of us were admiring it when we saw the patrol guard coming to take this deserter, as it appeared to be, to headquarters so that he might be interrogated by our officers, but he with an eye like an eagle saw them approaching and began to get very uneasy and restless, as he appeared to me.  His bridle and saddle were of the Mexican make, made of the very bet I ever saw.  He wore a beautiful pair of spurs, and as this guard approached and came within 30 or 40 feet of the crowd, we being attracted by the guard to some extent, did not pay as close attention to him as might have been and not in the least did we think what his next movement would be, but quicker than a flash, he pulled his left bridle rein and spurred his right foot into the flanks of this beautiful animal, and she leaped the works like the flight of a bird and hit the ground on the other side running, and after he had made some 60 or 80 yards distance from our line, he threw himself over quarterly on his saddle and swung back over the quarters of the animal whipping her with his broad-brimmed hat and cried at the top of his voice “Hurray for Kentucky! By God!” and repeated this as far as we could hear.

                None of the men thought of a gun or firing at this dashing, bold rider until he was some 250 yards back towards the Yankee line.  Then there were two men just on our right who opened fire on him with Springfield rifles, but I shouted to them at the top of my voice to not shoot that man.  He rode without any danger from our side whatsoever, save three shots that were fired, and as he neared the Yankee lines, they rent the very heavens with their yells and every gun boat opened on our line and our crowded position, broadside after broadside until they shook the very earth around us with bursting shell, and our friend was back in the lines and had performed the dangerous feat under the direction of General Grant.  He rode into our works to satisfy this great officer that we were in our stronghold and anticipated his landing and attack by the way as it was the best for him in every respect and so we thought beyond a doubt that he would make his way around Vicksburg.  It would have been easy going with us to have repulsed him and driven him back had he advanced this field against our splendid position, but after the return of this rider, I suppose it was about 40 or 50 minutes at least, we thought it gave him time so that the Grapevine telegraph or signal corps could send the message to Bruinsburg below Vicksburg to make the attack or advance from that point; in fact it was only a short while until we heard the guns thundering in that direction, and so Grant instead of making the attack and surrounding Vicksburg by the way of Snyder’s Bluff made his landing and advance by the way of Bruinsburg, and the next morning early many of us were ordered to meet him.  We met him and fought him all the way to Bakers Creek or Champions Hill, where we made the greatest fight and we were repulsed and driven into Vicksburg and stood the long and fearful siege.

                Jow Willis, my comrade who kept the pistol of the dashing rider as he rode off, owned and had this pistol some few years ago at a meeting of our old Battery at the Piazza Hotel, in that city. 

                This shows you what a fearless man can do in any country, where he has the nerve, the judgment and rides the right kind of stock.  I have often wished to meet this man since the war, for this is certainly a piece of unwritten history that should be written. The very name of Kentucky or Missouri was music in our ears because we loved them.  That grand old Orphan Brigade of Kentucky and the Missourians who cast their lot with us were part of us, and they were all most dear to us, and I know they were all thoroughbred stock and of the best blood, and this daring, dashing rider and representative of the Federal Army must have had the same kind of blood pulsate through his veins".

 

 

 

Sources:

1) Between the Lines", The Yonkers Statesmen (newspaper), February 25, 1903

2) Pioneer Texan Dies After Long Illness in St. Louis Hospital.  Mortuary Records. Galveston Daily News, July 15, 1920.

3) Letter to Mrs. I. N. Stowe written for and read at a meeting of the Robert E. Lee Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, January 23, 1903.

4) Internet Search

5) The Campaign for Vicksburg Vols. I, II and III. Edwin Cole Bearss 1986.  Morningside House, Inc.

 

 

This is a view of Snyder's Bluff from the other side of the Yazoo River

 

 

 

 

Iuka

BATTLE OF IUKA                                                                                            

DESCENDANTS REUNION AND RENACTMENT

SEPTEMBER 1, 2012 – IUKA, MISSISSIPPI

Reproduction of the 37th Alabama  Battle Flag

“COLONEL JAMES F. DOWDELL, COMMANDER 37^TH ALABAMA INFANTRY AND LETTERS FROM NORTH MISSISSIPPI BATTLEFIELDS”

PRESENTERS:

             Noel R. Stowe (GrGrGrandson)

            Matthew A. Stowe (GrGrGrGrandson)

            Becky Stowe (GrGrGranddaughter in law)

               We were invited to take part in the 150^th Anniversary and reenactment of the Battle of Iuka by the Tishomingo County Historical and Genealogical Society and the Iuka Museum.  We were asked to give a presentation about the 37th Alabama Infantry.  In addition we provided a display for the museum consisting of Becky’s reproduction of the 37^th Alabama Battle Flag, the Alabama Ordinance of succession signed by J. F. Dowdell, and a copy of the Vicksburg newspaper printed on the back of wallpaper and about 50 examples of J. F. Dowdell’s letters and other papers.  We were hosted by Bill and Kathy Gurley along with Fielding Tyler (GrGrGrandson of General Henry Little – killed – Iuka), Dr. Bill Bozeman (GrGrGrandson of Colonel John Stone – later Governor of Mississippi); Dr. E. C. Fields, Jr. (General Ulysses S. Grant – Commander Union Forces) and Dr. Ben E. Kitchens (author of “Rosecrans meets Price – the Battle of Iuka, Mississippi). The event lasted three days and was well attended.

            Probably the major reason we are here is my Grandmother Mrs. Rosie Read Stowe, the daughter of Dr. A. H. Read, my namesake.  Dr. Read was assistant surgeon to Robert E. Lee.  Read surrendered with Lee at Appomattox in April 1865.  I was one of those kids who grew up with a picture of Stonewall Jackson hanging above his bed.  Almost every night after supper my Grandmother would sit with me and retell stories that had been passed down to her.  Things she had learned from her family about her Grandfather and the War Between the States. Later I learned this is called oral history.  This, along with Col. Dowdell’s letters and some brief archaeological work at Nanahubba Bluff, the site of Gen. Earl Van Doren’s (Army of the Mississippi) House and grave.  Also relative to the war I have conducted archaeological work at the home of General P. T. G. Beauregard near Verret, LA, the Spanish Fort Battlefield site east of Mobile, the Blakeley battlefield in northern Baldwin County and Fort Morgan and Ft. Gaines at the mouth of Mobile Bay.  

               I am not a historical archaeologist and certainly not a professional historian.  I have spent the last 50 years excavating prehistoric Native American sites mostly in the southeastern United States and Mexico.  It’s a small world.  I spent part of 1967 and 1968 excavating sites in the Bear Creek watershed, in northwest Alabama about 10 miles east of here.  

               First, what I know about my Great Great Grandfather.  He was born in Greenville, Jasper County, Georgia in 1818 and throughout this life usually listed his occupation as farmer.  However, he graduated from Randolph Macon College at, or near, the top of his class and in-turn read law under General Hugh Haralson, LaGrange, Georgia.  Later in life he moved to Oak Bowery, Alabama.  He was elected to the 33^rd, 34^th and 35^th U. S. Congresses.  He voted for and signed Alabama’s Ordinance of Secession.  About a year into the Civil War he was elected Colonel and Commander of the 37^th Alabama Infantry.  The troops were drawn from counties in east central Alabama and mustered at Auburn, AL.

               After the war he served as President of East Alabama Male Collage – later known as Auburn University and even later offered the Presidency of Randolph Macon College.  He was always both a teacher and student.

            From what I’ve heard and read Col. Dowdell was a large man, over 6 feet tall, humble and very unassuming.  Towards his men he was fatherly and protective.  Dowdell was devoutly religious and early on he had become a Methodist minister riding a circuit from Auburn to Greensboro, Alabama.  Throughout the war he constantly commented about a desire to return to his family and teaching.  There are several accounts of him visiting his troops after dinner where he would join in the conversation and from his pouch hand out peanuts and sweet potatoes.  Behind his back they sometimes called him “Old Granny”.

The Battle of Iuka

Fielding Tyler (GrGrGrandson of General Little), Read, and Bill Bozeman (GrGrGrandson of Col. Stone)

The 37^th Alabama “met the elephant” during the Battle of Iuka.  The unit was under the Command of Col. JF Dowdell, Lt. Col. Alexander A. Greene and Major William F. Slayton.  During the battle 2 men were killed and 43 wounded.  Col. Dowdell was among the wounded. 

The 37^th entered the battle about ¾ mile southeast of the town of Iuka along with the 36^th Mississippi just east of the Jacinto Road.  In turn the 36^th and 37^th faced the 11th Missouri.

About a week after Iuka the 37th was engaged at Corinth where 5 men were killed along with the 4th Brigade Commander Gen. Martin.

Becky & Matt at Twin Magnolias.  This bedroom was where General Little was
 brought after he was shot.

            He was captured at Vicksburg on July 4, 1863, paroled and returned home.  He later returned to his unit and arrived at Atlanta in late 1863.

            There are about 50 letters and documents in this collection  I have brought some of them with me for display and I am going to read excerpts from a few of them.  What I will try and do is give you an idea of the man, what he thought about life at home and some of the action in northern and central Mississippi.

            These letters and documents begin in Washington in the 1850s and go through his certificate of Retirement and Invalid Corps duty to August 1864.  He also writes later from the Battle of Atlanta.

            These letters have been passed down through the family since they were written. Late in her life my Grandmother gave me several boxes of papers including Indian Land Grants, letters, diplomas, military records, photographs, etc.  Several years ago I had hoped to participate in a book on the 37^th Alabama with Dr. Gerald Golden. Unfortunately, Dr. Golden died in 2002 and this did not come to pass. Auburn already has a collection of Dowdell’s papers so this is where they will eventually be reposited.

            We have excerpted material from about 13 letters. They span time from the 1850s to 1863 and geographically from Washington to Vicksburg.

Montgomery, AL

Jan 24^th 1861

My Dear Wife,

            My health at this time is good – for a few days past I have had a very bad cold, but am recovering from it fast.

            It has rained here every other day and been cloudy between times – many ladies here have their husbands at Pensacola facing the guns of a powerful fort occupied by the enemy.  You should be content.  I am very anxious to be with you and our children – but my duty keeps me here – in a few days we shall take a recess and I will hasten home.

            I can buy nothing new for parlors – we must first have provisions for ourselves and negroes – our days of quiet are over.  There is no doubt about war between the two sections – the campaign will be opened at furthest by summer.  We shall triumph after a severe conflict.

Most affectionately

JF Dowdell

Montgomery, AL

Jan 26^th 1861

Since we have been in session – I hope that you have had better weather in Chambers.  Give my love to all the children and keep little Josh, which I know you will, for me.  Political news, just the same; the question of war or peace not decided.

Affectionately

JF Dowdell

Montgomery, AL

March 16^th 1861

My Dear Wife,

            It will be perhaps the last of the week before I can get away from this place.

            If the hands should finish planting the field in which they are now plowing, tell Dick to have the bottom broken up where I told him to cut the poplar log out of the way – to break up the bottom there which Mr. Reynolds had in corn last year, on both sides of the fence – it is likely that I will get home by the time the plows will finish breaking up the bottom . The signs of war begin again to appear and I would not be surprised to hear that hostilities had commenced at any time.  All the volunteers will be ordered out, if the war opens.  The convention moves slowly to its close.

Affectionately

JF Dowdell

Mobile, AL

June 4^th 1862

My Dear Wife

            We have reached this place and leave at 4 o’clock for Baldwin some 20 miles this side of Corinth where Genl Beauregards head Quarters are now established. We learn some 20 men at the Hospital here sick and go on with about 600.  Newton Thomas is left here sick.

            Ally has been a little sick in his bowels but keeps up.  Lewis’ is good.

Affectionately Yours

JF Dowdell

Columbus, MS

June 7^th 1862

My dear Wife,

            My heart turns every moment to him and its sacred associations and my prayer to God is that I may once more be permitted to sit unmolested around the family fireside – the dear children!  Kiss them all for me and tell them to pray for me.

            I learn this morning that an order has been issued to fortify this point.  If so, it is more than likely that the main army will make a stand at this place, as they are now falling back to Baldwin some 30 miles this side of Corinth.

            There are about 3,000 sick here and they continue to come in from the main army.

Most affectionately,

JF Dowdell

Columbus, MS

July 4^th 1862

My Dear Wife,

            We have only lost about 17 men since the first companies of the Regt. Were organized.  Some Regiments here have lost over one hundred.

            This place is about as healthy I reckon as we shall get to, during the war.

            There is some report of an onward movement from this point in a short time – of this however there is no certainty – we know nothing of the future, at home or about – we must trust in God or go down.  I am studying Tuckers and army regulations night and day, with some prospect of learning a little about them.  I feel that I am improving, and were it not that I am almost certainly called off in discharge of duties connected with the Post, I should hope soon to learn those immediately belonging to my Regiment.

Affectionately

JF Dowdell

Hd. Qts 37^th Regt. Alabama Volunteers

4^th Brigade. Little’s Division

Saltillo, MS

August 23^rd 1862

My Dear Daughter,

            From present indication, we will receive marching orders in a few days and I expect will not be long in coming up with the enemy, for he is not very far off.  On Wednesday last two of our men from the Tallapoosa Company were out hunting chicken for the sick and about five miles from our camp report that they were arrested by Yankee scouts who paroled them and turned them loose. A few Calvary have gone to scour the country to ascertain the truth of their statement.  The health of the Regiment is improving.  We have only lost one man since we arrived at this place, although some few have died in Hospital at Columbus, MS.

            Chance is well and an invaluable servant.  He is worth his weight in gold to me.  Sambo keeps well but wants to get home awfully bad.

Headquarters 37^th Alabama

Abbeville, MS

Nov. 17^th 1862

My Dear Daughter

            We are here upon the banks of the Tallahatchie River where the Railroad (Miss Central) crosses it and the order is that the enemy will be fought on this line.  The enemy at present is upon cold water some 7 miles above Holly Springs.  Our army though small is in good spirits and I think able at least to hold the enemy though 5 times the number at bay.  We are hoping that intervention will close the war by Spring but we have been disappointed so often, we must prepare for the worst – a long war – I should like very much to visit home this winter but feat that the exigencies of the ser ice will not allow it.

Affectionately

JF Dowdell

Abbeville, MS

Nov 25^th 1862

My Dear Wife,

            If you have not yet procured cloth for drawers – you need not get it – I can do well without anymore, as I have 3 pair on hand.  The other articles which I mentioned, you may send by safe hand.

JF Dowdell

Headquarters 37^th Alabama Volunteers

Moore’s Brigade, Maury’s Division

Grenada, MS

Dec 26^th 1862

My Dear Wife,

            We have just received orders to be ready to move by Railroad on tomorrow morning 7 ½ o’clock.  I think we go to Vicksburg and I will write from the place which we stop in.  Since we have been sojourning at this place the general health of the Regiment has been good, my own very good.  A great battle is expected near Vicksburg, as the enemy will exert his full power to open the navigation of the Mississippi River which has been kept closed by our possession of Vicksburg.  Great confidence is felt that we will be able to hold that place.  Should we be able to do so, then we certainly calculate upon the enemy being brought to terms by Spring – on the day before Christmas President Davis accompanied by General Joseph Johnston reviewed the troops at this place – I made the acquaintance of General Johnston and like him very much.  With the President I had but a few minutes conversation mostly upon general subjects.  They both left on yesterday.

            On Christmas day I dined in camp with General Whitfield who had a most excellent dinner.  I thought of home – oh how I long to be there.  Shall I be permitted again to sit around my happy fireside?

            When I shall be able to get a leave of absence I cannot tell, not before we go into winter quarters – perhaps sometime in January.  Try and make your arrangements for another year in reference to uniforms and procuring necessary treasury, etc. etc..  Do not depend upon the easing of the blockade for cheaper prices of clothing , etc. but produce and manufacture at home all that can be done.  Act as if you expected the war to last 7 years or longer.  To get rid of Yankeedom and have an Independent Government is worth the largest sacrifices and I have abiding confidence in the Providence of God that he will overrule all our troubles and make all things work together for our good.  Nothing for infidelity and persistent wickedness on our part can permanently injure us in the ordeal through which we shall to pass may be fiery but it will purify us and prepare us for high duty and privileges.

Affectionately

Your Devoted

JF Dowdell

Headquarters 37^th Alabama Volunteers

Ft. Pemberton near Greenwood, MS

April 2^nd 1863

My Dear Daughter,

            I am glad to know that you all are well.  When I read your letters for the time being I am with you all.  Your letters are very interesting to me.  Both in style and execution.  They can hardly be excelled.  I wish you would try and improved Render’s hand – none of the children will ever write like you, unless great pains are taken with them.  On yesterday I write a letter to Render and enclosed it in one to your Mother.  Bring all your influence to bear upon him and Lewis to make good boys of them.  You must not neglect your studies.  Take up moral and intellectual Philosophy, Chemistry, Botany, French, Spanish, History, Poetry, Music, spinning and weaving and cooking; learn all. 

            We have been in expectation of an attack by the enemy.  This to one at home looks as if we should in continued suspense and anxiety and yet it is not so.  We become so accustomed to it, that the firing of our pickets and the booming of the Cannon create but little disturbance in our feelings.  On several occasions we thought that we were going immediately into battle, but the Lord has directed otherwise.  I have not learned to love war.  My tasks are for peace and quiet and rest. When we all get to heaven we shall have peace.  Whilst at Yazoo City the citizens were very kind to us. Some of the ladies came through the camp and visited headquarters.  We seated them in our tent the best we could and Lou waited on one of them and I think was somewhat smitten.  The next time you write to him ask him how he likes Miss Fuqua – don’t tell him who gave you the name.  She is a handsome girl and the young lieutenants in the Regiment waited on you assiduously the short time which we remained at Yazoo City.

            The Regiment keeps in pretty good health.  Major Slaton’s eye has greatly improved and his general health good – we left Col. Grant at Vicksburg. He was improving then.  I have not heard from him since. At this time we are living all about.  Chance and my horses are East of the Yazoo, and by the way he has the chills.  My tent is on the west side of the river on the Peninsula.  About 300 yards further down the Fort, where we stay most of the time.  We guard the Fort and guns, man it, and picket out on the Bayou in front. For the time being I dine and sup all around wherever I can find something to eat.  We are all pretty well satisfied.  On the next page I will give you a rough sketch of our situation, the rivers, fort and etc.  We do not think that the Yankees will be able to go attack to the right or left.  They cannot pass down by land. 

With increasing affection from Father

JF Dowdell

Headquarters 37^th Regt. Alabama Volunteers

Moore’s Brigade, Maury’s Division

Ft. Pemberton, near Greenwood, MS

April 5, 1863

My Dear Daughter,

            On the 13^th of March we left Vicksburg for Yazoo City by river.  We remained at this place 2 days and were ordered to report to Gen Loring at this place.  We landed 2 miles below this and reported in fortifying our left wing.  We were then ordered to the Fort.  We manned the fort and did picket duty for two weeks.  The Yankees were directly in front of us across a bayou and in sight.  Our pickets fired at them occasionally and our artillery at the Fort with heavy parrot and rifle guns opened upon these works occasionally.  On the day before yesterday, whilst we were establishing a new camp about 300 yards from the Fort in the open field a shot from a Yankee Gun boat passes directly over my tent striking the ground about 20 paces in the rear.  I was standing at the time behind the tent awaiting Gen Loring, who was walking up.  The shot missed him only 3 paces.  We moved our Camp nearer the timbers that evening and have been somewhat better protected.  Still these batteries can survive all over the peninsula upon which we are encamped. 

For two weeks every hour we have been expecting an attack.  The picket firing hot occasionally now and then heavy artillery fired.

Affectionately Yours

JF Dowdell

Vicksburg, MS

May 3^rd 1863

My Dear Wife,

            I was resting on the banks of a branch near the Yazoo midway to Snyder’s Bluff listening to the sound of artillery and awaiting orders to move in either direction wherever the service of the Regiment would be most needed.  I have scarcely finished perusing the letter when orders came to move rapidly to Snyder’s Bluff.  We reached these a little after dark and rested on our arms in the road until daylight.  In a short time our artillery opened upon the enemy who had launched a portion of his force from the gun boats in our front.  The river was full of boats.  They kept a respectful distance.  In the evening four of their gunboats opened fire upon our batteries nearby which we were stationed. The fire was terrific.  The shells exploded over and about us, but did us no harm.  They continued firing until night when they gave signs of leaving.  Shortly after dark we were ordered back to Chickasaw Bayou near our old Camp. This morning we learn that the boats have left Snyder’s Bluff.

            It is understood that our rivers below Vicksburg near Grand Gulf have been hotly engaged in the meantime. General Tracy’s Regiment has suffered badly.  Willy Samford belonged to that Brigade. We have heard but few of the particulars. The General was killed.  We have orders to march in that direction tomorrow.  During the present month we shall have hard work.  We hope to hold this place.  My trust individually and naturally is in the Lord.

            To Him I have committed my soul, my life, my character, my family, My Country, my all.

            On Sunday last I preached to a large congregation I the M. E. Church in Vicksburg.  I felt the spirit with men and trust that my feeble efforts in the Masters Cause were blest.

God Bless and preserve you all!

JF Dowdell

Atlanta, Georgia

Nov. 10^th 1863

My Dear Wife,

            I met Dr. Calhoun of Newnan here.  He invited me to go home with him, but not knowing when the Regiment would leave I could not accept his invitation.

            No news from the front of any interest.  The two armies are confronting each other, but whether they will fight this winter or not, no one knows.  Oh how anxious I am to be with you all.  My constant prayer is that God may preserve you all. You are ever in my thoughts and heart. My love to all the children.  Cease not to pray for me.

Most Affectionately

JF Dowdell

Mass Grave of CSA Soldiers in Iuka