ALABAMA - Captain Berry B. Matlock, C.S.A. (by John Ardis Manry, Plain Dealing, La.)

Captain Berry B. Matlock was born in Limestone County, Alabama 28 October 1829 and came to Bossier Parish when a boy, where he lived until, three weeks before his death in a Shreveport hospital 6 February 1896.

He had been a member of the Bossier Boys, the first company to be organized. The State not being ready for them they were sent home, and he then enlisted in the Vance Guards.

When Captain Richard W. Turner was promoted to colonel, Matlock succeeded him. After the Battle of Chickamauga Captain H.A. Kennedy of Company C informed Matlock's superiors: "It is exceedingly difficult to draw distinction between officers or men where all do their full part, yet I must be allowed to notice particularly Captain B.B. Matlock of Company A." Matlock was later wounded at Forsyth, Ga. 28 July 1864 and was returned to Louisiana for recruiting service at the request of General Richard Taylor. He was paroled with his company at Meridian, Miss., 10 May 1865.

The captain was married to Miss Corrilla J. Whorton on 28 October 1869. Rev. A. Winham, Baptist minister at Rocky Mount performed the ceremony, according to Caddo Parish marriage records. She was born 22 October 1850 and died soon after their marriage on 2 May 1871. He remained a widower the remainder of his life, living among friends and relatives near Collingsburg.

At Matlock's death a compatriot, Editor W.H. Scanland of the Bossier Banner, wrote: "He rose from a private to a captain of his company. He was a good soldier - none more gallant - and was always prompt in the discharge of his duty. He was a generous, warmhearted man, true to his friends, country and convictions. Gallant, courteous and honest to the core, he drew friends to him and held them. Always liberal; ever actuated by the right, his genial presence will be missed by a host of friends in Bossier, who will learn with profound regret of his sad death.

His remains were laid beside his beloved Corilla in the Cottage Grove Cemetery and was followed a month later with Masonic rites by Cypress Lodge No. 89, F&AM. His grave remained unmarked for 77 years when a member of the General Richard Taylor Camp, Sons of Confederate Veterans, discovered it by diligent research.

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