2nd LT. EDWARD W. FOWLER
Co.C, 18th North Carolina Infantry

Edward W. Fowler was born in 1837 in Columbus County, NC. He was the second of five sons born to James G. Fowler and the grandson of Revolutionary War veteran Daniel Fowler, Sr.

Prior to Edward’s enlistment on April 24, 1861, he had resided in Columbus County as a farmer. He was promoted to Corporal on September 1, 1861, and promoted to 1st Sergeant in November, 1861. He was present or accounted for until wounded at Freyser’s Farm, VA, on June 30, 1862. He returned to duty in late November, 1862.

Six months later it was tragically the case that the 18th NC was on picket duty the night of May 2, 1863, when Stonewall Jackson rode Little Sorrel back to an anxious line of soldiers. Not only was Lee devastated by this eventual loss, but the 18th NC was deeply impacted by what they had accidentally caused!

In two months the Battle of Gettysburg was engaged and the 18th found itself under Longstreet’s command and perhaps hoping to vindicate themselves, at the front line of Pickett’s Charge. Edward and his brother were among those who breached the wall and remarkably both survived unscathed.

When the regiment regrouped after Gettysburg, Edward was elected as a 1st Lieutenant and eventually moved onto Petersbrug, VA. He took a miniball in the left thigh on September 15, 1864. His leg was amputated and he returned to NC as an “absent wounded” to live out his life as a one-legged farmer and the father of seven children.

John S. Sims
MOS&B #3836
(A 5th generation collateral descendent of Edward W. Fowler)
9/03/2008