LtCol James Barrow
image courtesy of William J. Stier, used with permission.
The scion of an aristocratic family with a distinguished military lineage, James Barrow was born on March 26, 1841 in Oglethorpe County, Georgia. Having long exhibited a keen interest in martial organization, inherent from his bloodline, James unhesitatingly seized the opportunity to embark on a career in the Profession of Arms in February 1857.
Soon after completing a year-long preparatory education at the Georgia Military Institute in Marietta in the spring of 1858, Barrow entered the hallowed halls of the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, and began officer training in the U. S. Corps of Cadets. On January 22, 1861, three days after Georgia seceded from the Union, Barrow handed in his resignation at West Point and returned home to proffer his services to the fledgling Confederate government representing the Southern states.
Initially appointed to the rank of second lieutenant in the Georgia Regular Army, Barrow employed his distinctive talents in the sphere of infantry to improve the overall efficiency of those raw recruits stationed within his jurisdiction. Universally held in high esteem, young Barrow was described by Confederate Major General T. Howell Cobb as "the best military tactician in the Army."
With his star on the rise, Barrow was promoted to the substantive grade of lieutenant colonel in the 64th Georgia Infantry Regiment on 26 May 1863. At the Battle of Olustee in Baker County, Florida, on Saturday, February 20, 1864, Lieutenant Colonel Barrow conspicuously proved his mettle as a combat commander when he took hold of the regimental colors of the 64th Georgia and, waving them over his head, addressed the men with these rousing words of encouragement:
"In this world it is always best to be sure that you are right---then go ahead. I am sure that we are in the right, and that God is on our side. Follow me today, my men, and I will lead you to the enemy. Remember that the honor of Georgia rests with you!"
Tragically, in the first flush of victory, Lieutenant Colonel Barrow had barely finished speaking when a Yankee's bullet pierced his heart and he fell a corpse. Deeply mourned by his countrymen, Lieutenant Colonel Barrow was laid to rest at Oconee Hill Cemetery in Athens, Georgia.
The above text and image are courtesy of the William J. Stier Collection. Used with permission. The original carte de visite of Lieutenant Colonel Barrow was obtained directly from his descendants. No backmark.
This image of James Barrow, along with many other rare photographs, will be showcased in Mr. Stier's forthcoming book, To Horse!: Confederate Captain Winston J. T. Stephens and the St. Johns Rangers at Cedar Creek.
As of June 2019, Mr. Stier is currently accepting submissions of war date photographs of Confederate and Union servicemen who saw action in Northeast Florida during the Civil War for possible inclusion in his book. Signed complimentary copies and ownership credits will be gratefully provided for images published. You can contact Mr. Stier at: kycavalier@att.net .
Sixty-fourth Georgia Infantry Regiment
Battle of Olustee home page