Obituary of Robert Cicero Norris, Dallas and Perry, Alabama http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/dallas/obits/n/rcnorris.txt ==================================================================== USGENWEB PROJECT NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Project Archives to store this file permanently for free access. This file was contributed by: Judy Penrod Purcell ==================================================================== September 2001 Obituary of Robert Cicero Norris, Perry Co., AL, Dallas Co., A As it appeared in the CONFEDERATE VETERAN, November 1913, 21st Year, 11th Number. Dr. Robert C. Norris departed this life on May 14, 1913. He was a son of Col. William Hutchison Norris, and was born in Perry County, Ala., March 7, 1837. his boyhood days were spent in Dallas County, Ala. From 1850 to 1856 he was a student at Fulton Academy, one of the best educational institutions of the State. Having finished the course there, he studied law under his father, though not intending to practice this profession; but he wished to inform himself concerning the laws of the country. Later, however, he did join his father in his law practice. At the age of twenty he taught in a public school for a year, and then he went to Brundidge, Ala., where he studied medicine under Dr. J.H. Dewberry as preceptor. He matriculated in the Mobile Medical College (now University of Alabama). On January 28, 1861, his studies were interrupted when he went with other volunteers under Capt. Theodore O'Hara to Pensacola to seize the navy yards, which was accomplished. He then returned to his studies. On July 3, 1861, he enlisted in Company F, 15th Alabama Regiment, and went to Fort Mitchell for organization, and from there to Virginia, where his regiment served in Stonewall Jackson's brigade. He was engaged in all the campaigns of Stonewall Jackson except the last, in which the great general lost his life. His regiment was later assigned to a brigade consisting of the 4th, 15th, 44th, 47th, and 48th Alabama Regiments, under Gen. E.M. Law, Hood's Division. In 1862 he was made sergeant major, serving in this capacity until 1864, and acted as adjutant much of the time. He was later assigned to Company A, 60th Alabama Regiment, and promoted to first lieutenant. In an engagement on Hatcher's run he was sent a prisoner to Washington and on to Fort Delaware, where he was kept until June 17, 1865. He arrived at his old home in Alabama on the 5th of July. During the four years' service he was wounded three times. Col. W.C. Oates states in his book: "He was one of the best soldiers of the regiment. He was made sergeant major, and discharged the duties of that office splendidly. He was always present for duty in all the battles." Comrade Norris often referred to his war experiences, of which he never tired. He was most remarkably endowed with ability to recall the names, even the nicknames, of his comrades. He spoke often of the drummer boy Pat Brannon, telling many laughable anecdotes concerning him. He was in many battles and skirmishes, some of which were at Front Royal, Port Republic, Harper's Ferry, Cross Keys, Cold Harbor, Malvern Hill, Cedar Run, Second Manassas, Sharpsburg, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, Chickamauga, Brown's Ferry, Wilderness, Spottsylvania Courthouse, Second Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Darbytown Road, and Williamsburg Road. At the end of 1865 he went to Brazil and settled in Villa Americana, State of Sao Paulo, being the first American to settle in that section of the country. Afterwards a flourishing American colony was established there. He returned to the United States in 1890 to finish his medical course. On his return to Brazil he was engaged in the practice of his profession during several years more in a charitable way than as a means of living. He retired from active life in 1911. He was made a Mason in 1858 in the Fulton Lodge, Dallas County, of which his father at that time was Worshipful Master. In Brazil he took an active part in organizing a lodge, A.Y.M., in Santa Barbara, of which he was Senior Warden for two years, afterwards being elected to the position of Grand Master, which he held until his death. Comrade Norris's son, Charles B. Norris, would be pleased to hear from any member of the 15th or 60th Alabama Regiments who would kindly communicate anything concerning the war career of his father at his address in Rua do Rosario No. 3, Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Sketch by W.F. Pyles)