Lowndes-Fulton-Meriwether County GaArchives Biographies.....Dowling, William Henry Taylor January 19, 1849 - November 6, 1948
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
William McDonald williamteomi@yahoo.com June 3, 2008, 3:25 pm

Author: William McDonald

William Henry Taylor Dowling was born on Jan. 19, 1849 in Troupeville, Georgia 
to William Wesley and Ardelia Frier Dowling. At the age of 15 he joined Co. I, 
1st Regiment of the Florida Volunteers. He served later with the 1st Regiment
of the Georgia Calvalry. He fought during The Civil War, better known
in the South as "The War of Northern Aggression." When the war ended Private
Dowling found himself in North Carolina. He walked back to Georgia.

Rev. Dowling, for he was a Church of Christ minister, was married to Georgia 
Hayes in 1870. They had 15 children. He loved to sing, and especially liked
"Rock of Ages," and "Blessed Assurance." He outlived his wife.

Henry Dowling enlisted as a Private and eighty years later was promoted to 
General. Under any other circumstances this would not only be considered
strange, but impossible. However, WHTD as I refer to him, (see first paragraph)
was elected as one of the final National Commanders of The United Confederate 
Veterans, the official fraternal organization of those once young men who had
worn their country's gray.

Gen. Dowling was the last Confederate Veteran to reside in the Soldiers Home 
in Atlanta, though several Confederate widows remained in residence at his 
passing.

He sported a head of flowing white locks, worn bushy eyebrows and a neat 
goatee. Henry often listened to the radio, read mail and flirted with the
ladies who resided at the Soldiers Home.

The submitter's father remembers his Great Uncle well, (though he only saw him 
a couple of times,) for he derived his first name from old Henry.

Gen. Dowling stood a straight 5'10" and was known for his wit and those 
intense gray eyes. (Some of his descendants have inherited "his" eyes.)
Our Southern hero took part in the Confederate Memorial Day ceremonies
at Oakland Cemetery in Atlanta, a few months before his passing. Had he lived
two more months, he would have lived a full century.

Henry Dowling died on November 6, 1948 at The Confederate Soldiers Home in 
Atlanta, Georgia. Services were held on November 7, 1948 at the Moreland 
Avenue Christ of Christ in Atlanta. Gen. Dowling was interred in the 
Manchester Cemetery in Manchester, Georgia on November 8, 1948.

"For his character so exemplary, so patriotic, so God-fearing, we thrill to
honor him here."





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