James Richard Crowe

GEDCOM Note

Jan 29, 1838 Born Pulaski, Tennessee, to Andrew Lewis Crowe (b. May 30, 1804, d. Apr. 26, 1885) and Elvira Hahn (b. 1808, d. Aug. 11, 1894) Educated Wurtenburg Academy, Giles College, Pulaski

Jan 1, 1861 Entered study of law at office of Cousin Charles C. Crowe, Marion, Alabama

Jan 11, 1861 Joined Marion Rifles as threat of war looms

Apr 12, 1861 Civil War begins Marion Rifles formed into Marion Light Infantry, mustered into Fourth Alabama Regiment Sent to Harper's Ferry, Virginia

Jul 21, 1861 Wounded in left arm at First Battle of Manassas Sent to Charlottesville to recuperate, then to Pulaski

Nov 1861 Joins Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston as drill master of 53rd Tennessee Infantry. Rose to captain.

Feb 14-16, 1862 Battle of Fort Donelson. Crowe's arm in a sling, so Pvt. Charles Scoggins loads and he fires both guns

Feb 16, 1861 Escapes to Nashville. Joins General Gideon Pillow in recruiting in Pulaski area, reports to Decatur, Alabama, with 150 men. Assigned to take several hundred prisoners to Tuscaloosa

Apr 6-7, 1862 Walks to Shiloh, where he participates in second day's battle.

May 1862 In army reorganization, assigned to 35th Tennessee Infantry.

May 29, 1862 Commands Company of sharpshooters at battle of Shelton's Hill, lost more than half his men. Wounded. Commended for gallantry by Beauregard

Oct 8, 1862 Wounded again at Battle of Perryville, Kentucky. Becomes purchasing agent for Confederate government, assigned to Atlanta, then Jackson, Tennessee.

1863 Taken prisoner by Federals, held at Pulaski with Sam Davis, "Boy Hero of Confederacy" who was hanged in November saying "I would give my life a thousand times before I would betray a friend." Somehow gets back with Confederates in Memphis.

Jun 16, 1865 Surrenders at Memphis, having served longer than any other soldier - 4 years, 5 months and 5 days (his claim). Shot five times: Manassas, Shelton's Hill, Corinth, Richmond, and Perryville. Returns to Pulaski and enters cotton business.

Dec 24, 1865 Six young men form a secret society in a law office in Pulaski. They name it from Greek kyklos (circle) Ku Klux Klan. Klan added as reflection of predominately Scotch-Irish population Crowe sometimes given credit for final form of name, and for designing the costume based on robe he wore in college initiation. He was named Grand Turk, a kind master of ceremonies.
Klan stood for "purity and preservation of the home and protection of women and children, especially the widows and orphans of Confederate soldiers." The idea spreads to other towns.

Apr 1867 Congress has just passed Reconstruction Act. Organizational meeting held in Maxwell House Hotel in Nashville. Define Klan as "Institution of Chivalry, Humanity, Mercy and Patriotism." Robert E. Lee refuses to be Grand Dragon, saying his support must be invisible. This gives rise to name "Invisible Empire." Nathan Bedford Forrest chosen Grand Wizard.

Sep 1869 Klan officially disbanded. Reasons given: no longer need after Democrats restored to office; had been infiltrated by undisciplined elements; mission accomplished.

Feb 18, 1869 Marries Belle Towson of Hartsville, Tennessee (b. July 7, 1849 - d. Oct. 22, 1932) Children

1886 Described in Pulaski Citizen as "Quiet mannered but firm in his utterances, of medium height. Good features and pleasing aspect. He has never tasted tobacco or whiskey and never uttered an oath...Three of his father's great uncles were generals of Revolutionary forces." (Which great uncles were these?)

Oct, 1886 Moves to Sheffield, Alabama in real estate business. Elder in Presbyterian Church and Sunday school superintendent. One of organizers of Tennessee River Masonic Lodge. President of Board of Education for ten or twelve years. Active in the Councils of the Democratic Party. Clever speaker much in demand at civic events. Was postmaster for a time at the same time Federal Government was offering a $10,000 reward for his arrest.

May 1902 Wrote songs for Confederate reunion.

Jul 14, 1911 Dies in Sheffield, buried in Pulaski.