Fort Morgan in Baldwin County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Noble Leslie DeVotie

April 4, 2007

1. Noble Leslie DeVotie Marker (Obverse)

Inscription. First Alabama soldier to lose life in Civil War.
DeVotie graduated in 1856 from University of Alabama; Presbyterian Theological Seminary at Princeton in 1859. In 1856 at the University of Alabama, he was chief founder of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity, the only national social fraternity founded in the Deep South.

First Alabama soldier to die in Civil War. Drowned Feb. 12, 1861 while on duty as chaplain of Alabama troops here.
Before enlisting he was pastor of Selma Baptist Church. He was 23 at time of death.

Erected 1964 by Alabama Historical Association.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Alabama Historical Association series list. A significant historical date for this entry is February 12, 1845.

Location. 30° 13.792′ N, 88° 1.4′ W. Marker is in Fort Morgan, Alabama, in Baldwin County. Marker can be reached from Dixie Graves Parkway (State Highway 180) when traveling west. At Ft Morgan, on Mobile Bay. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Gulf Shores AL 36542, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Second Battle of Fort Bowyer (a few steps from this marker); First Battle of Fort Bowyer

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(a few steps from this marker); Fort Bowyer (a few steps from this marker); Fort Bowyer War of 1812 (a few steps from this marker); 32 Pounder Sea Coast Defense Gun (a few steps from this marker); Battery Schenck (1899-1923) (within shouting distance of this marker); U.S. Model 1918M1 155mm Gun and Model 1918A1 Carriage (within shouting distance of this marker); The Overland Campaign (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Morgan.

More about this marker. Outside the fort on the waterfront

Regarding Noble Leslie DeVotie. Noble Leslie DeVotie was born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, January 24, 1838. He spent his early life in Marion, Alabama. He entered the University of Alabama in October, l 853, in the sophomore class, having spent one year at Howard College. All through his university course he brilliantly maintained his intellectual supremacy. His grade for his entire course at Alabama was 96.75. He was graduated as valedictorian at the head of his class July 17, 1856. In the fall of 1856 he

Noble Leslie DeVotie Marker (Reverse) image. Click for full size.

April 4, 2007

2. Noble Leslie DeVotie Marker (Reverse)

entered the freshman class at the Princeton theological school. He was graduated from there in 1859. Then he became pastor of the First Baptist Church at Selma, Alabama. In 1861 he enlisted as chaplain in the C.S.A. when the Independent Blues and the Governor's Guard of Selma were sent to Fort Morgan. On February 12, 1861, as he was about to board a steamer at Fort Morgan, Alabama he made a misstep and fell into the water. Three days later his body was washed ashore. He was the first Alabama man to lose his life in the Civil War.
Note: DeVotie is buried in Columbus, Georgia. The original marker did not identify him as among the founders of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. (Submitted on December 17, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

Also see . . .
1. Fort Morgan. Wikipedia entry detailing the history of the fort. (Submitted on December 17, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

2. Noble Leslie DeVotie. Find A Grave entry (Submitted on February 11, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Noble Leslie DeVotie Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Michael Stroud

3. Noble Leslie DeVotie Marker

This was the original marker at the site.

Noble Leslie DeVotie Marker located north of the Fort Morgan Museum. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Timothy Carr, June 19, 2013

4. Noble Leslie DeVotie Marker located north of the Fort Morgan Museum.

Photographed By Brandon Fletcher, July 9, 2011

5. Noble Leslie DeVotie Marker

Maker in far distance, looking toward Fort Morgan (yellow arrow)

Noble Leslie DeVotie image. Click for full size.

via Find A Grave, unknown

6. Noble Leslie DeVotie

Credits. This page was last revised on February 11, 2021. It was originally submitted on December 15, 2007, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 8,523 times since then and 140 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 9, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 3. submitted on December 15, 2007, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 4. submitted on November 8, 2013, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. 5. submitted on August 16, 2015, by Brandon Fletcher of Chattanooga, Tennessee. 6. submitted on February 11, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.