Charles Kelly Barrow became interested in the War Between the States after hearing
stories about his ancestors. His desire was to research and write about black
Confederates in order to educate people about an aspect of Southern history that
has long been overlooked by historians. By enlightening people about this type
of Confederate involvement, he hopes to prevent critics from attacking the
Southern heritage. It is a legacy shared by all Southerners, regardless of their
skin color.
Barrow first became active with the Sons of Confederate Veterans in 1989. At that time
he was a historian for the Georgia division, a position he still holds today. He
has served the Georgia and Tennessee divisions of the SCV as a commander,
councilman, historian in chief, and chairman for their National Awards
Committee. In 1996, he was chosen as the Georgia Division Sons of Confederate
Veterans' Confederate of the Year. He also received the United Daughters of the
Confederacy Jefferson Davis Historical Gold Medal in 2001.
Mr. Barrow is the author of Black Confederates, also published by Pelican,
and Sons of Confederate Veterans, Georgia Division: The First One Hundred
Years 1896-1996 A Short History. A former platoon sergeant, Barrow has also
held the positions of state representative legislative aide and cotton quality
classer. Currently he serves on the Shorter College Board of Trustees and is a
commissioner for the Georgia Civil War Commission, a vice president for the Pike
County Historical Society, and a commander for the Army of Tennessee Sons of
Confederate Veterans.
Barrow received his B.S. in social science from Shorter College in Rome, Georgia. While
in attendance, he also served as senior senator for the Student Government
Association and president of the Eta Pi Sigma history club. Barrow concentrated
his efforts in history and military science for his B.S. but pursued a broad
field for his M.A. in social studies and education at Piedmont College in
Piedmont, Georgia. He received his Ed.S. in administration and supervision from
Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tennessee.
Charles Barrow resides in Griffin, Georgia. He is an eighth-grade social science teacher
and high-school soccer coach. He has enjoyed being a debate coach, track coach,
head soccer coach, and football kicking coach.