APPOMATTOX PAROLE - COLONEL JOHN R. TOWERS, CSA, 8TH GEORGIA INFANTRY

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Item Code: 846-557

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Standard pre-printed form, on lined paper. Dated April 10th, 1865. One page, exhibiting fold marks, and slight chipping along lower margin. Slight soiling of lower left corner. Missing .375” trimmed from right margin, though leaving the printed text unimpaired. Ink faded but entirely legible. Text:

“THE BEARER John R. Towers, Colonel, 8th Ga. Regt of Anderson Brigade...a Paroled Prisoner of the Army of the Northern Virginia has per-mission to go to his home and there remain undisturbed / G. T. Anderson Brig. Genl.

Reverse endorsements: (1) “Rations issued for 30 dys 4/30 65 / K.L. Simons / Capt. & acs, (2) “Thirty days rations issued from 9th May 65 / K.L. Simons / Capt also / on parole.”

Born in South Carolina in 1824, John R. Towers enlisted and was commissioned Captain of Company E, 8th Georgia Infantry on 14 May 1861 in Rome, GA, and was appointed Lieutenant Colonel of the regiment on 28 January 1862 (to date from 16 November 1861). He was captured on 28 June 1862 near Richmond, VA, held at Fort Columbus, NY, then briefly at Fort Warren, MA before he was released for exchange (for Rollin C. Olin 3rd MN), on 31 July 1862.  He commanded the regiment in Maryland in September 1862.

The 8th GA participated at the First Battle of Manassas, and from the 1862 Seven Days Battles participated in all the Campaign and battles of the Army of Northern Virginia (except when with Longstreet at Suffolk and Nashville—not engaged at Chickamauga) through the Appomattox surrender.

In the Battle of Gettysburg, the 8th GA entered the battle with 312 effectives, and, in fighting around the Wheatfield [July 2, 1863] lost 35 killed, 108 wounded and 29 missing, suffering well over 50 percent casualties, with Colonel Tower experiencing a hand wound. At Appomattox, the unit surrendered 14 officers and 139 enlisted.

After the war, Towrs was sheriff of Floyd County 1866-67, by 1870 he had a variety store in Rome, GA, and represented the county in the state legislature 1873-74. He ran his metal-casting business to about 1877, when he was appointed assistant keeper of the Georgia State Penitentiary. In 1885 he became the keeper, but retired the following year and moved to Marietta, GA. In 1900 he had apparently "un-retired" and was a salesman for a cotton oil manufacturer in Marietta.

Towers married Anna Melvina McGee (1825-1906) about 1843 and they had 10 children by 1869.  His oldest, Daniel Reid Towers, was killed at Fort Harrison near Petersburg, VA on 30 September 1864, then the 20 year old 2nd Lieutenant of Company H of the 8th Georgia.  Second child, William McGee "Billy" Towers (1846-1912) served as a young cavalryman with General N.B. Forrest (1864-65). Billy's 4th and youngest son was Admiral John Henry Towers (1885-1955), one of the US Navy's first aviators.

Towers died on 09/29/1903 in Marietta, GA and is buried in Marietta City Cemetery.

An excellent 8th Georgia memento, the Appomattox parole of its fourth and final Colonel, John R. Towers. In protective sleeve. Invites further research.   [jp/ld][ph:L]

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