Rufus Marion Fowler died gallantly on May 5, 1864 after the Battle of the Wilderness in Spotsylvania County, Virginia. His was the death of a hero, far from home, far from family, fighting for a cause which would, itself, die on the last battlefield of the war between the states.
Rufus Marion Fowler was one of fourteen children born to Womack Fowler and Susannah Moseley. He was born April 16, 1825 in Union County, South Carolina.
After 1850 but before 1860, Rufus Fowler married his first cousin Dorothy “Dorcus” Moseley, daughter of James Moseley, Jr. and Lydia Crocker.
They had two sons: Joseph E. Fowler (1856–1928) and Eison A. Fowler (1859–1899).
On August 29, 1861, Rufus Marion Fowler traveled to the Union Court House. Once there, he enlisted in Company F, South Carolina Fifteenth Regiment Infantry. His younger brother Wymac Fowler enlisted in the same Regiment. Five sons of Womack and Susannah Fowler went to fight in the Civil War; only one returned home.
Rufus Marion Fowler was reported “present” in his regiment with the exception of two hospital stays. In October 1862, he was admitted into Wayside Hospital (also known as General Hospital #9). As Wayside Hospital was a “receiving hospital and most soldiers were transferred, Rufus Marion Fowler was transferred to General Hospital #25 on October 27, 1862. He returned to duty either December 16 or 18, 1862.
Rufus Marion Fowler was reported “absent, sick” during the January/February 1863 Roll Call. He was transferred from Wayside Hospital to Manchester Hospital on January 3, 1963, and was reported as “absent, sick” through June 30, 1863.
The boys of Company F fought in many battles: Manassas, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Chickamauga, and endless others before arriving in Spotslyvania County, Virginia.
The Battle of the Wilderness was the last battle for the courageous Rufus Marion Fowler. He died after the battle was over on May 6, 1864 when a gun in the hands of James Spencer accidentally exploded. I do not know if he lies in an unmarked grave or rests among his people.
Rufus Marion Fowler was a war hero, a son of Womack, husband of Dorcus, and father of two sons. I hope that his descendants of present day know that they came from a man of integrity and honor … a man of courage and valor. May he never be forgotten.
To read more about the life and family of Rufus Marion Fowler, please click on the link below:
THE FOWLER FAMILIES OF UNION COUNTY, SC 
THANK YOU COUSIN FOR INTRODUCING ME TO MY FAMILY….I NEVER KNEW AND YOU ARE EDUCATING THE OLD MAN JUST IN TIME…..HOPE TO SEE YOU AGAIN SOON
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I think of you every time I drive Hwy 56 and 49 on my way to see my dad. I have been working on our shared ancestor (Reuben Fowler) and will have more info for you soon. Let’s meet up in the near future!
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This John Fowler was your great x 4 uncle. He was Alice Fowler Mitchell’s uncle.
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