Extracted from The Blocton Enterprise (West Blocton, AL)
Thursday, February 15, 1917

THE LOWREY BROTHERS

Some time ago in conversation with W. F. Lowrey (who was a lieutenant in Co. D, 20th Ala. Vol., C. S. A.) he told me many interesting facts of the forming of this company at Schultz Creek Church on Sept. 6, 1861, and of the various places they passed through, and of the battles in which they fought. He has a wonderfully clear and accurate memory, and as I so much enjoyed hearing these threads of real history, mostly of the then boys of River Bend, I write a few of them in hopes that others may enjoy them also, although I may not be able to tell it all as he did.

He and his six brothers were all in the Confederate army, making seven brothers! These were John, William Fletcher, and Newton, in Co. D, 20th Ala.; Harvey in a Mississippi regiment, Perry as Chaplain in a Louisiana regiment, Barton in Co. --, 44th Ala., and Charles Carroll with the “Bibb Greys.” Newton was killed in the battle of Lookout Mountain; Charles Carroll earlier in war at Hopewell Church, Ga.

Barton was several times severely wounded, once in the fighting around Richmond. He was in the Co. with Capt. Joab Goodson, who died in the hospital at Petersburg, Va., and his young brother Rufus, who was killed in a trench at Petersburg. He was with the Goodson boy's faithful slave “Abe” in doing the last for them.

The majority of the Confederate soldiers who went from River Bend, went in Co. D, 20th Ala. Vol. This company went to Opelika to be accepted, and from there to the training camp near Mobile, and from there into active service till close of war. Near Vicksburg a great many of the 20th (Capt. Pratt and Col. Pettus among them) were captured by the enemy, and while they were waiting crowded together to go on board the boat, Col. Pettus rolled down the bank into somo [sic some] weeds and then hid behind a fence. He escaped, as the guards never missed him.

One night during the fighting around Lookout Mountain, Lieut. Lowrey with ten men from different companies were stationed some distance on one side from camp as a picket. Time passed and as no one came to relieve them, they decided something was wrong, and upon investigation found the camp gone, but heard distant firing; so they knew they were alone! Afterwards they were told that Lieut Pratt had searched for them at the alarm that the enemy was near, and that they must go before the enemy was between them and the bridge over creek near, but when he could not find them, decided they had gone with first of soldiers over. There they were, left behind in a strange place and it dark! They finally made their way to where bridge had been and found it gone! Then with Lieut. Lowrey as leader they proceeded up the creek in search of a crossing, but could find none. Finally they came to a high bluff and could follow creek no further, so they decided to make a raft of rails from a nearby fence, which they did, binding the rails together in layers, with hickory bark or withes. They they crossed a few at a time. By this time it was day, and they went on toward the din of battle, and after a long march actually came up with their own regiment! Col. Pettus (afterwards General) was the first to hail them with, “How in the world, boys, did you ever get here?”

These were seven worthy sons of a noble father and mother. Good soldiers and as brave as ever carried arms in defense of their country! Honor is due them.

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