Rowley, J. F.

J. F. Rowley was probably a farmer, and possibly a teamster, since a list in the diary seems to refer to hauling loads of cotton, living in Texas during the 1860's. While obviously not well schooled, he could both write and draw reasonably well, and had a flair for framing vivid, if not tall, tales. He seems to have understood and spoken the Spanish language, since he reports conversing with the natives in their language in Mexico . Whatever his profession, he was in any case an admitted and dedicated draft-dodger, later deserter, from the Confederate Army, and appears to have had strong Northern sympathies.

Col. John Salmon Ford of the 2nd Texas Cavalry, who, between 1862 and 1865 … discharged with tactful moderation the duties of commandant of conscripts, was the man who first attemped to draft Rowley into the Confederate Army . When finally impressed into service with the Confederates, Rowley served very briefly with Cook's Regiment, or the 1st Texas Heavy Artillery Regiment, before promptly deserting after being granted a leave to visit his home. Rowley performed a personal raid on Duff's Partisan Rangers to recover stolen property, and at one time records being afraid of being hung by the commander of Sibley's Brigade . Rowley appears to have had a stepson named Fred, who drifts in and out of the diary's narrative. Another son remaining back home is also mentioned.

From the guide to the Inventory of the J. F. Rowley Diary Ragan MSS 00118 ., 1863-1865, (Cushing Memorial Library)