Robert Powell Scott was the son of JOHN L. SCOTT and ELIZABETH ANGELINE WILLIAMS of Alabama.  He was born in Mississippi, but grew up in Arkansas.  He led a very colorful life becoming quite well known in Dallas as an honorary lifetime member and “General” in the United Confederate Veterans.    In the early 1940’s his first flight on Delta Airlines became a newspaper ad.  He also appeared on a newsreel during a Texas governor’s rally in Marshall, which became part of a special PBS program during the Texas Sesquicentennial celebration in April 1986.  He lost his eye while serving in Co. C, “Doc” Rayburn’s Confederate Arkansas Cavalry.  He was the commander of the third brigade, Texas Division, United Confederate Veterans and the Color Bearer for Dallas Confederate Camp no. 1853.  The History Channel website currently links the short speech “Bob” gave at a 1938 Confederate Veteran Reunion.   


On March 3, 1928, R.P. “Bob” Scott applied for a Confederate Pension and was approved on May 23, 1928 claiming to be 79 years old.  This would put his birth year at 1849.  The 1880 Cherokee County Texas U.S. Census records, however, record his age at 25 putting his year of birth at 1855.   Scott family Bible records indicate his birth as 1853.    Some controversy regarding “Bob” Scott’s Confederate service came about because he served with a undocumented group of “beardless” youth led by 21-year old Captain Howel “Doc” Rayburn of Marshall Texas.  “Doc” Rayburn is well known in White County Arkansas for his exploits during the final days of the Confederacy.  His bandit bushwhackers operated around the West Point, White County, Des Arc, Searcy, Arkansas area.

“Bob Scott” and Emeline Johnston had five children: Robert, Mattie, Leila Della, Rosa and Johnnie.   Mattie m/1 McRay, m/2 Statton; Leila m/John Calhoun Hook, Johnny m/ Dennie H. Wood.    “Bob” Scott died at the age of 92 in Dallas Texas.  His wife,  MARY EMELINE JOHNSTON, died in 1892 and was buried in Beeman Cemetery.   In November 1955, the Bonnie Blue Flag Chapter, United Daughters of the Confederacy, placed a marker on Bob’s grave in the Beeman Cemetery. Upon his death his occupation was listed as “retired groceryman” in earlier times he ran a “move wagon.”


Bennie Lou Hook Altom –February 2005
BAltom@NovaOne.net

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