Page:Confederate Military History - 1899 - Volume 7.djvu/760

Rh Corinth, Port Gibson and Baker's Creek. Of his conduct at Port Gibson Gen. Martin E. Green said: "Col. Robert Lowry, of the Sixth Mississippi, deserves the highest commendation for his coolness and promptness in executing every order." During the Atlanta campaign his regiment was attached to the brigade of Gen. John Adams, Loring's division, one of the best in the army of Tennessee. At the battle of Kenesaw Mountain, in command of the brigade skirmish line, he repulsed two attacks of the enemy. At the battle of Franklin General Adams was killed, and Colonel Lowry succeeded to the command of the brigade, which embraced the Sixth, Fourteenth, Fifteenth, Twentieth, Twenty-third and Forty-third Mississippi regiments of infantry. This force he led in the battle of Nashville and during the retreat from Tennessee. On February 4, 1865, he received his commission as brigadier-general. He shared in the campaign in the Carolinas and participated in the battle of Bentonville, the last one fought by the army of Tennessee. Returning to Mississippi after the war he went to work under the new order of things to assist in the rehabilitation of his State. Against his protest he was nominated by the Democratic State convention in 1869 for the office of attorney-general. At that time the Republicans had control of the State and he was defeated. In 1881 he was elected governor of Mississippi to succeed Governor Stone. He was inaugurated in January, 1882, and gave such satisfaction that he was re-elected in 1885. His administration of eight years was strong and vigorous and added greatly to the prosperity and development of Mississippi. During his administration there occurred a notable event. Jefferson Davis, ex-president of the Confederate States, by invitation of the legislature visited the city of Jackson. As Mr. Davis entered the hall escorted by Governor Lowry cheer after cheer resounded through the building. The speech of Mr. Davis was one replete with feeling and aroused the greatest enthusiasm. In 1890 Governor