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Francis Stebbins Bartow (''b.'' September 6, 1816, Chatham Country , Savannah , Georgia ; d. July 21, 1861, Manassas , Virginia ) was an Attorney , Military and Political Leader from the early months of the Confederate States Of America (CSA). Francis Bartow was an inaugural representative of the Confederate Congress who was particularly compromised with the preparations for the war. Being a raising political figure, he became one of the natural early leaders of the Confederate States. At one point, he took the arms with determination, to defend the Virginia battlefront as Colonel of the ''8th Georgia''. There, in June 1 of 1861, he was killed in the '' Battle Of First Manassas ''. Therefore, Bartow was the first Confederate officer killed of the Secession War . EARLY LIFE Francis Stebbins Bartow was born in Chatham County, Savannah, Georgia, in September 6 of 1816. His parents were Theodosius Bartow , a doctor, and Frances Lloyd Stebbins . ATTORNEY Bartow studied Laws at ''Franklin College'' of Athens which was the State University --actual '' University Of Georgia ''--, being John McPherson Berrien one of his mentors. Finally, he graduated in 1835 --with 19 years old--, becoming attorney with the highest honors. Later, he carried out some studying tasks --by '' Reading Law '' basically-- at a Savannah's law office, the ''Messrs. Berrien & Law''. Afterwards, finishing his studies, he took some extra classes at Yale 's Law School , in Connecticut . Already as a professional, Bartow returned to Savannah in 1837. Being instantly admitted in the local bar, he was hired by the ''Bryan Superior Court'' and was integrated into a well known legal firm, the ''Law, Bartow and Lovell''. Fastly, his professional skills shined, due to several outstanding criminal cases. In his professionally savvy performances, he used clear arguments to convince the jury toward his causes.http://www.usgennet.org/usa/ga/county/chatham/history/1868-8.htm A Forensic case highlights particularly, on the robbery of a great bank. This activities resulted also lucrative for Bartow. POLITICIAN Very short time later, in 1840 --24 years old--, Bartow devoted to politics also successfully. He's first step was an active campaigning support to General Harrison who was a '' Whig '' candidate for the Presidency of the Union. Bartow was the responsible of a ''big part'' of that campaign.http://www.usgennet.org/usa/ga/county/chatham/history/1868-8.htm Afterward, a now politically pledged Bartow began to build his own career locally, at Georgia. Then, since 1841, he served three terms subsequently in both state's chambers, its '' House Of Representatives '' --two terms-- and its '' Senate '' --one term--. Eventually, he became one of the most prominent leaders of the region. Around those years, in 1844, Bartow married Louisa Greene Berrien who was the daughter of one of his professional tutors --in the aforementioned firm from Savannah--, John M. Berrien --US Senator and former '' Attorney General '' of Andrew Jackson 's administration--. Soon, while the country was politically unsettled already, in 1856, Bartow was Georgia's candidate for ''National Representative''. Still, he was patronizing the Union. DEFENDING THE SECESSION Though, the stirred atmosphere was definitively about to detonate, being heated up by the abolitionist controversy. Bartow was then concerned for the destiny of his own State if a war was eventually unleashed, deeming the severely destructive consequences that Georgia could bear. Finally, since 1860 --45 years old--, after Lincoln 's assumption, Bartow turned away from the Union, deciding to advocate for its right of secession. Fort Pulaski, before Georgia's convention The Savannah's '' 21th Oglethorpe Light Infantry '' was a reserve company of guard, being formed in 1856 and mainly constituted by voluntary youngsters from the most traditional families of the region. In 1857, Bartow had been elected as its Captain , exerting also as their instructor. In January 2nd, while the elections for the Georgia's convention were taking place --being Bartow its absolute winner additionally--, Governor Joseph E. Brown had already given the order to retake Fort Pulaski --located near Savannah River 's mouth-- which was recently seized by military forces of the Union. Brown entrusted the ''Oglethorpe Light Infantry'' for that task, led by Bartow. His successful military intervention took place in January 3, basically due to the role of the artillery --commanded by Colonel A. E. Lawton --. Georgia Secession Convention Due to the course of the events, to discuss its ultimate fate, Georgia summoned a ''State Secession Convention'' in Milledgeville , being scheduled for the last days of January. The then popular Francis Bartow was postulated for Chatham County's representation. In the elections of January 2 --taking a brief leeway from the battlefront then--, he won by an overwhelming result. Therefore, he integrated Chatham's trio of representatives, together-with John W. Anderson and A. S. Jones . Finally, the Convention took place by the middle of January. There, Bartow highlighted as one of the most fervent secessionists. Demanding an immediate withdrawal from the Union, he brought Georgia thus to the foremost line of the secessionist states. In January 19, the Convention approved the ''Ordinance of Secession'', by 208 vs. 89 votes. Also, Bartow was chosen to represent Georgia in the upcoming definitive ''Confederate Congress'', at Montgomery , Alabama . In Savannah, the enthusiasm reigned.http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/ga/chatham/history/other/gms403chronolo.txt Confederate Provisional Congress Francis Bartow was present at the inaugural session of the ''Confederate Congress'' of Alabama, in February 4. The second day, he had already become its ''Military Committee'' 's chairman. In fact, along the sessions, his daily interventions were concentrated on military affairs only, reserving his speech otherwise http://www.usgennet.org/usa/ga/county/chatham/history/1868-8.htm . Particularly, he pushed insistently for fast drastic actions, to counter the menace of an imminent northern retaliation. Amid the frenzy, Bartow was the creator of the Grey Confederate Uniforms . Though, short time later, during one of the sessions, Bartow announced that he would depart to the battlefront again, bringing his ''Oglethorpe Light Infantry'' up to Virginia. As he explained later on : "--after my public compelling to achieve it-- ... ''I had pledged myself to meet all the consequences of secession. I am bound, therefore, in honor, and still more strongly by duty, to be among the foremost in accepting the bloody consequences which seem to threaten us''." http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~mysouthernfamily/myff/d0002/g0000068.html Therefore, in May, he renounced effectively to the Congress, rejoining the Confederate Army . MILITARY CAMPAIGN The dispute against Governor Brown Once endorsed by the Confederate Congress, Francis Bartow begun his war actions by telegraphing the news to his expecting Georgian troops, arranging a prompt rally. Though, Bartow encountered with a disallowing negative from the Georgian Governor, Joseph E. Brown , who had already fearfully decided to use any disposable means instead, to keep fortified the threatened Georgia http://www.cviog.uga.edu/Projects/gainfo/tdgh-sep/sep06.htm. That included Bartow's troops which shouldn't be moved out of that state thus. Nonetheless, before his plan might finished stalled, Bartow appealed personally to the very same Confederate President, Jefferson Davis , requesting his permission instead. Bartow used an already existent Confederate law which was called "''An act to raise additional forces to serve during the war''." --authored by the "''Hon. Mr. Wigfall, of Texas''"--. Without any mediation, this act authorized anyone to offer any voluntary military force directly to the Confederate President, him determining its military leader also. Right away, the President approved Bartow's so specified plan and designed him to lead it. Therefore, Bartow's ''Oglethorpe'' company was the first which contributed its services for the ''Secession War'' . Though, a relentless Brown countered by publishing an aggressively tough letter --yet imprecise--, through all Georgian newspapers. Among other things, he alleged:
Nonetheless, the absolutely resolved Francis Bartow got to Savannah in May 21, to assemble his 106 loyal soldiers. For the very same day also, he arranged the boarding of the train which would take them to Virginia 's battlefront. A cheerful great rally of local populace congregated at the station, being accompanied by all the remaining local militia which fired in behalf of Bartow's honor with their artillery. Before departing, Bartow pronounced to the crowd his celebrated phrase : "''I go to illustrate Georgia''.". Later, in June 14, from ''Camp Defiance'' --''Harper's Ferry''--, Bartow wrote his epistolary response to the "''insolent missive''" of Brown who "''thought proper to publish'' --it-- ''in'' --Bartow's-- ''absence''". The response was also published in the '' Savannah Morning News ''. Bartow defended himself vehemently, by countering each of the personalized attacks and by stating that he had undertaken the current campaign under the sole command of Jefferson Davis. Along the letter, his recurring argue was that the "''Confederate Government is alone chargeable with questions of peace and war and has the exclusive right, except in case of invasion, to raise and maintain armies''" while the Governors are not "''empowered to raise these armies''". In the other side, Brown would have been committing, "''here again, '' --his-- ''common error, of supposing that'' --he was-- ''the State of Georgia. '' --- ''a mistake in which I do not participate''." Colonel of the 8th Georgia Regiment Finally, the hundred men of Francis Bartow's ''CSA-21th Oglethorpe Light Infantry'' arrived to Richmond , Virginia , with the objective to protect the region from any Union attack. His Lieutenants were J.J. West , Hamilton Couper and A.F. Butler . Once there, Bartow received a promotion also, to Colonel of the '' 8th Georgia Regiment ''. This regiment had been formed there, by already experienced companies which had been arriving successively from different Georgian counties. The first time, the ''8th Regiment'' mustered at ''Camp Bartow'', in ''Howard's Grove'' , Richmond, in June 1. Specifically, the regiment was assigned to the Virginia's '' Shenandoah Valley ''. They got there through Piedmont and Winchester . Once arrived, Bartow incorporated some local forces additionally, the '' 2nd Brigade Of The Army Of Shenandoah ''. Battle of Manassas plains Late July, Bartow received the order to move his troops to the outskirts of Manassas City, to support General Beauregard . They departed in June 19, fording the Shenandoah River with their "''luggage tied on the ends of'' --their-- ''fixed bayonets''" http://home.earthlink.net/~larsrbl/yarborough.htm. After arriving to Piedmont, the regiment was transported to Manassas by using carts. The night of the 20th, just before the '' Battle Of Mannassas '' (''Bull Run''), Bartow was promoted to Brigadier General , commanding 1046 men from several Georgia regiments --''7th'', ''8th'', ''9th'', ''11th''-- together with one from Kentucky --''1st''--. Also then, he haranged the troops : "... ''but remember boys, that battle and fighting mean death, and probably before sunrise some of us will be dead''."http://rockbpubl.com/bks_RPC/charlott.htm At the early morning of July 21, Bartow deployed two of his regiments --''7th'' and ''8th''-- and ordered the attack. Their main objective was to annul an enemy battery which was deployed on the ''Stone Bridge'' , being commanded by ''US-Captain'' James B. Ricketts . After the fight had already started, the regiments reached the '' Henry House '' hill. Bartow entered into battle from then on, after him confirming that it was his regiment effectively, through one of his soldiers : http://home.earthlink.net/~larsrbl/yarborough.htm
Though, in the battle, as the hours went on, they were bloodily worn out by the sweeping effectiveness of the enemy. Even, Bartow's regiments found themselves completely encircled sometimes. Being the target of a spate of bullets, half of the Confederate soldiers were easily killed. One of them wrote afterward: "... ''Practically half of the Eighth's 1,000 Georgians fell dead or wounded, or were captured or lost. ... Bartow led his men to an exposed eminence which was too hot to hold''."http://home.earthlink.net/~larsrbl/watters.htm At noon, with 369 units still on foot, Bartow had been already forced to retreat his remaining units back to the original deploying site. Then, Bartow asked to General Beauregard: "''What shall now be done? Tell me, and if human efforts can avail, I will do it''."http://www.usgennet.org/usa/ga/county/chatham/history/1868-8.htm. Waving the ''Stone Bridge'' 's enemy position again, Beauregard replied: "''That battery should be silenced''." Bartow gathered the remaining of the ''7th Regiment'' again and launched another attack. Around the ''Henry House'' hill, Bartow's killed horse collapsed and a bullet wounded him slightly. Nonetheless, Bartow grabbed another horse and continued the attack. At some point, he was haranguing his troops bravely, to follow him toward the enemy, by cheering "''Boys, follow me! ''" and waving his cap frantically over his head http://www.usgennet.org/usa/ga/county/chatham/history/1868-8.htm. Then, another projectile precisely perforated his chest, incrusting in his heart fatally. Some of his soldiers gathered around him, witnessing his last words: "''Boys, they have killed me, but never give up the field''". Then, laying on the ground and wrapped by CSA-Colonel Lucius Gartrell 's arms http://baca22ga.tripod.com/ , Francis Bartow expired. He resulted to be the first killed officer of either Confederate Army, on a battlefield. Amos Rucker and his brother Moses Bentley , two black Confederate soldiers from the ''7th Regiment'', took Bartow out of the battlefield. Hopelessly, the renowned surgeon H. V. M. Miller attended him nonetheless. Still, the rest of Bartow's 7th unit was obeying his last attacking will. Slowly then, the Union forces were showing some tiredness, somehow weakened after Bartow's morning attack http://home.earthlink.net/~larsrbl/8gaFirstManassas.htm. The Confederates sustained the attack further, until destroying the enemy battery at ''Stone Bridge'' finally. General Bauregard declared : " ''you Georgians saved me''" http://home.earthlink.net/~larsrbl/8gaFirstManassas.htm. Though, the Georgian ''Rome Weekly Courier'' newspaper commented : "… Col. Bartow's fine Regiment of Georgians were nearly annihilated" .http://home.earthlink.net/~larsrbl/8gaFirstManassas.htm BURYING After noticed of Bartow's casualty, the Confederate Congress adjourned its sessions "''in testimony of --its-- respect for his memory''", as expressed by its spokesman, the Hon. T.R.R. Cobb . The chamber was feeling an "''unfeigned sorrow''" because the "''heavy loss sustained by the Confederacy in the death of one of her most efficient counselors''". Also, it was confirmed the Bartow's posthumous definitive military rank of Brigadier General.http://www.usgennet.org/usa/ga/county/chatham/history/1868-8.htm Laurel Grove In July 27, Bartow's corpse returned to Chatham County, Savannah. Accompanied by an extensive popular rally, it was buried at Laurel Grove Cemetery --Grave Site Lot 690--, with a military ceremony. Louisa Berrien received a consoling letter from Mrs. Jefferson Davis also. On granite, under a wreath and a saber, two of his historical phrases are engraved :
HOMAGES Manassas battlefield After the battle, the Confederates placed a small stone landmark where Bartow had been killed, repeating his last words : "''My God, boys, they have got me, but never give up the field''." It had been engraved in Savannah. Though, later on, the stone was removed by Union forces, during one of their many usual looting raids. Nowadays, two markers survive on that same site. The older one was placed by veterans of the ''7th regiment'', in 1903, near a cedar tree. The most recent one is made of bronze. Manassas' Monument In September 4 of 1861, before an 1,000 people, the ''first Confederate dedicated monument'' was inaugurated in Manassas, honoring Francis Bartow. It was an obelisk made up of marble. Though, it was mysteriously stolen in 1862. Attempting to repair the vandalism, in 1936, a marker was placed on that site, by the Georgian Division of the '' United Daughters Of The Confederacy ''. A new monument of Bartow exist nearby, at some feet from the original one from 1861. 1890 Savannah's monument After years of postponing due to the Secession War, in February 7 of 1890, the '' Savannah's City Council '' approved the erection of a great Memorial, in recognition of General Francis Bartow and General Lafayette Mac Laws . Unveiled in 1902, the two bronze busts were mounted on stone pedestals at '' Chippewa Square ''. They were separatedly located. Bartow's was facing to the south --to Perry Street -- and MacLaws' was facing to the north. Around 1910, the Council decided to built the '' Oglethorpe Monument '' at Chipewa Square. Therefore, both busts were together relocated, around the Confederate Monument at Forsyth Park . Places & things which were named after Bartow
Regiments of the Secession War
Francis S. Bartow Camp No. 93 Recently, the ''Georgia General Assembly'' promoted the work of the '' Sons Of Confederate Veterans '' organization which is in charge of the '' Francis S. Bartow Camp No. 93 ''. As stated, it was "''for their role in protecting and preserving Confederate heritage''" --''LC 21 7026, House Resolution 1524''--. Actually, its considered that in Savannah was formed "''one of the earliest, largest and most active Confederate Veterans Associations''" in Georgia. REFERENCES TRIVIA
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