The Alabama in the Civil War Message Board

Re: Color Bearers?
In Response To: Re: Color Bearers? ()

Ken --

In both cases the reference is unquestionable. However, we cannot assume that anyone named in either list actually entered Confederate service, or at least not in the companies named. The "Woodruff Rifles" did not enter Confederate service until October 1861, so ample time exist for members of this company to arrive at different conclusions about volunteering. They could have decided to join a different company, or not join the army at all.

Based on the 1860 census of Alabama, I don't see anyone living in Marengo County who could be R. B. Harris. A man listed as R. B. Harris served as 2nd Sergeant of Co. "C", 3rd Alabama Militia Regt. (1862). That company was largely recruited in the 6th Ward of the City of Mobile. He may be Richard P. Harris, age 32, a saddler. Since the company you mentioned reported in Mobile for service during the summer of 1861, it may be that 'R. B. Harris' volunteered from Mobile as color sergeant of the "Woodruff Rifles."

At least three iterations of Mobile "Gulf City Guards" existed. Apart from that, Dowd is an unusual name in Alabama, but several men by that name lived in Mobile in 1860. A man named Charles Dowd later served with the "British Guard" of the 1st Mobile Regiment. He could be your man.

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