Statesville in Iredell County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Dr. R.V. Cowan
May 26, 1840 March 5, 1877
Photographed by Mark Parker, December 14, 2024
1. Dr. R.V. Cowan Marker
As Col. of the 33d NC Regt. at Appomattox, he led the last charge ever made for the Confederacy and won its last victory
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is April 9, 1865.
Location. 35° 47.146′ N, 80° 53.481′ W. Marker is in Statesville, North Carolina, in Iredell County. It can be reached from West End Avenue (North Carolina Route 90) west of West Water Street ( Route 90), on the right when traveling west. Located at the grave site of Col. Robert V. Cowan in the northwest quadrant of Fourth Creek Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 200 West End Ave, Statesville NC 28677, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in North Carolina’s Piedmont. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Upper South. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies,
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Old Fourth Creek Burying Ground (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Fourth Creek Meeting House (within shouting distance of this marker); Original Town Limits of Statesville (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Old Fourth Creek Meeting House (about 300 feet away); Site of North Carolina's First Public Power Community (about 400 feet away); James Hall (about 400 feet away); Lowenstein & Co. (about 800 feet away); T. Ross Alexander Company (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Statesville.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Fourth Creek Meeting House (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Regarding Dr. R.V. Cowan. Colonel Cowan served in the North Carolina 33rd Regiment Infantry throughout the Civil War. In reading a history written by John Weston of the NC 33rd, it appears that Cowan and the regiment was at Appomattox. However, no
Photographed by Mark Parker, December 14, 2024
2. Full grave site of Dr. Cowan at Fourth Creek Cemetery. First Presbyterian Church in the background
Also see . . . 33rd NC Regiment. An overview of the North Carolina 33rd's service during the Civil War <blockquote> "On the night of April 1st, the brigade was shelled continuously until daybreak the next morning. The regiments in the works from right to left were in the following order: 28th, 37th, 18th, and 33rd NC Regiments. The 7th NC Regiment was on detached duty. The men were placed from six to ten (6-10) paces aparta mere skirmish line. Against this weak force Federal Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant hurled his crushing masses, at daybreak the next morning. We fought desperately, but our thin line was pushed back by sheer force of numbers until it was broken in pieces. We then retreated behind our winter quarters and continued the contest, each man for himself. A part of the regiment fell back to the plank road under Col. Robert V. Cowan and a part to Battery Gregg, under Brig. Gen. James H. Lane. Battery Gregg was fiercely attacked and fell after a most heroic resistance.
Color Sergeant Atkinson, of the 33rd NC Regiment, after the Federals had mounted the parapet, and were yelling furiously, left the fort, and made for the rear, waving his flag defiantly at the astonished enemy. The Federals fired at him repeatedly, but he escaped unhurt. It was a daring deed that will live in history. Our men cheered him long and loudly, even after he had reached the Confederate works. In this fight Lt. Gen. A. P Hill (VA) was killed. He was a cool, gallant, sagacious officer. Under his leadership the Light Division won an undying fame.
Here, too, fell Capt. John D. Fain, of Company C. Col. Robert V. Cowan, Capt. Fain, and myself were standing in a group, watching the movements of the enemy...
On April 9th, we were ordered to occupy a position on the left of the road, near Appomattox Court House, and on the fighting line. While we were moving to this position at a double quick we were suddenly halted and a Federal officer came from the front and rode down our line. He smiled, as he rode quickly on, but it was the wickedest smile I ever saw on any man's countenance. The report quickly spread that General Robert E. Lee had surrendered. We could not believe it and the officers vehemently denied it. Brig. Gen. James H. Lane (NC), however, assured us the report was true, and we bowed to the inevitable...
The next morning an order came from Brig. Gen. Lane, directing Col. Robert V. Cowan to make a formal surrender of the 33rd NC Regiment. Col. Cowan and I were sitting under a large oak tree. Col. Cowan read the order, jumped up, his eyes flashing fire, and said: "I won't surrender.'' Then, turning to me, he said: "Major Weston, take charge of the regiment." He mounted his horse and rode off to the rear. I never saw him again. Col. Cowan was a brave and most efficient officer. Like Maj. Gen. Robert F. Hoke (NC), he was a born soldier. After Col. Cowan left I took charge of the regiment." (Submitted on December 14, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina.)
Credits. This page was last revised on December 16, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 14, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 166 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 14, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
