Chaplain was first Alabama soldier to die in War Between the States

Noble Leslie DeVotie

My wife and I took another page out of “Hiking Through History: Alabama” on Saturday and hiked the two-mile loop trail at historic Fort Morgan in Baldwin County.

Many in the reading audience will be familiar with Fort Morgan and its prominent place in Alabama history. Built in the 1830s, Fort Morgan is one of two old masonry forts that once guarded the mouth of Mobile Bay. It was used by Confederate and Union forces during the War Between the States and also saw service during the Spanish-American War, World War I and World War II.

The loop hike includes a stop inside the fort, but most of the hike takes you to various points of interest on the grounds around the fort. We passed the ruins and remnants of various old batteries, magazines, barracks, fortifications and an abandoned airstrip, most of which have been heavily damaged by hurricanes over the years. Much of the hike also runs along an old concrete seawall that seems to stretch off into the distance for as far as the eye can see.

The hike also takes you past one of the more unique historical markers in the entire state. Just past the fort entrance, not far from the beach, you’ll find a marker in memory of Noble Leslie DeVotie, who is said to be the first Alabama soldier to lose his life during the War Between the States. According to the marker, he drowned while on duty as a chaplain in February 1861.

Research reveals that DeVotie was born in Tuscaloosa in January 1838, and he grew up in Marion. He went to Howard College in Greensboro for one year, then entered the University of Alabama in October 1853. DeVotie was one of the top students at Alabama and graduated as the valedictorian of his class in July 1856.

While at Alabama, DeVotie was also one of the seven founders of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, which is said to be the only national social fraternity to be founded in the antebellum South. From Tuscaloosa, DeVotie went on to the Princeton Theological Seminary in New Jersey and graduated from there in 1859. After Princeton, DeVotie returned to Alabama to become the pastor at the First Baptist Church of Selma.

When the War Between the States kicked off, DeVotie enlisted in 1861 as a chaplain when the Independent Blues and the Governor’s Guard of Selma were sent to Fort Morgan. The story goes that on Feb. 12, 1861, as DeVotie was about to board a steamer at Fort Morgan, a false step caused him to slip and fall into the water. Unable to swim, DeVotie never resurfaced, and his body washed ashore three days later. He was 23 years old.
In the end, if you’ve never been to Fort Morgan and enjoy Alabama history, it’s well worth the trip. The fort is about 130 road miles from downtown Monroeville, and it’s an easy ride if you set out early. For extra credit, grab a copy of “Hiking Through History: Alabama” by Joe Cuhaj and hike the loop trail because you’ll see a whole lot more on the hike than you would on the regular tour of the fort.

(Got a comment or question? E-mail Lee Peacock at leepeacock2002@hotmail.com.)