"Francis Stebbins Bartow was born September 6, 1816 in Savannah, Chatham County, Georgia to a distinguished Georgia family....... Bartow, a strong supporter of secession, was a delegate to the Georgia Secession Convention. His fervent secessionist stand led to his appointment to the Provisional Confederate Congress, and he served on the Flag and Seal, Engrossment and Military Affairs Committees, as well as serving as chairman of the Military Affairs Committee. Bartow became a captain in the Oglethorpe Light Infantry, a home-guard unit in which the sons of Savannah's leading families served. When the Confederate Congress voted to forbid people from holding both political and military office, Bartow chose to remain in the military and give up his political position. The Oglethorpe Light Infantry was transferred to the 8th Georgia Infantry and Bartow was elected Colonel of this infantry on June 1, 1861 and Brigadier General P. A. C. S., prior to his death. Bartow and his troops headed to the Shenandoah Valley to take part in the Battle of Manassas. Only half of his troops, however, were able to arrive in time to fight. Bartow himself took the forward position, leading his troops in a charge down Henry Hill. There he was mortally wounded, and was reported to have said as his last words, "They have killed me boys, but never give up the field." A few minutes later, on July 21, 1861, Bartow died. There is a Historical Marker for Francis S. Bartow at the Manassas National Battlefield Park in Manassas, Prince William County, Virginia."
General Bartow's dedication to the Cause may explain the frequent use of his name by the many units who used it in their company designations.
Paul Maloney