Louis A. Barlow

BARLOW, LEWIS AUGUSTUS (1830 ~ 1911). Lewis (or alternately spelled Louis) A. Barlow was born in New York in 1830 to Mansfield B. Barlow, Jr. and Ester Mann Daniels. The family remained in New York until about 1837 when they moved to Wilkinson County, Mississippi.

County records in Woodville, Mississippi show that Mansfield Barlow bought a section of land in 1838 and sold it on November 15, 1847. That same year, the family moved to Refugio, Texas as missionaries. According to the Meridian Tribune, Mansfield Barlow founded Marshall College in Marshall, Texas, and later founded a college near the coast. Lewis Barlow's father was a teacher, Baptist minister, and a Justice of the Peace. Their land was on the Mission River about three miles from town. Mansfield and Ester had nine children; Lewis was second oldest. His siblings names were, Henry Mansfield, George Electus, Charles Melancton, Chauncy Mann, Martha Jane or "Mattie," Merril Judson, Francis Irene, and Mary Elizabeth. Mansfield and Ester remained in Refugio until their deaths.

Private Lewis Barlow joined Company F of the 8th Texas Infantry, May 14, 1862 in Goliad, Texas. He was part of Hobby's Regiment. Immediately after his enlistment he was in the hospital for several months; his ailment is unknown. Further records show his presence until March of 1864 when he was furloughed for 40 days. No further records of Barlow's service have been found, but he claimed he was active with his copmany until the end of the war, meaning he must have returned to duty after furlough.

The unit contained one cavalry, four infantry, and five artillery companies, and served in the Trans-Mississippi Department. It confronted Union forces primarily in Texas, but saw action at Mansfield and Pleasant Hill in Louisiana.

After the war, Lewis Barlow made Blanconia, in Bee County, Texas, his home where he was a gardener. Barlow was admitted the Texas Confederate Men's Home on July 1, 1893 and he lived there until his death on January 16, 1911. He was buried in the Texas State Cemetery.

His only listed correspondent on the Confederate Home Roster was his brother M.J.(Merril Judson) who had a business in Catula, Texas.

Information taken from family records, Confederate Home Roster, compiled military service records, death certificate, the National Park Service website at itd.nps.gov, and rootsweb.com/~barlow/FairfieldFamilies/mansfieldbarlow.html.