Digital Scholarship and Initiatives

This well-documented account of Rhoda Strong Lowry, as well as the broader context of the Lowry Band era in Robeson County, begins with brief descriptions of several famous women from the Civil War era. Pugh contends that Rhoda “. . . shares the same strengths, courage, and determination” (p. 70) of women such as Clara Barton, Louisa May Alcott, Sally L. Tompkins, and Bell Boyd—but has been relatively overlooked by historians and is apparently the only Native American woman to make notable contributions during the period. Pugh adds, “The other heroines were directly associated with the Civil War operations but Rhoda operated on the fringes of the battle, avoided direct involvement in its activities, and directed her energies to the protection of her husband, family, and community” (p. 70).

In describing both the Lowry Band era and Rhoda's impact and activities, Pugh draws from a wide range of sources, including Dial and Eliades's The only land I know, William McKee Evans's To die game, Lew Barton's The most ironic story in American history, and sources commenting more directly on Rhoda. The latter include Mary Regan's 1967 article for the Raleigh News and Observer (used extensively), Claude Dunnagan's 1961 article for the magazine Male (Pugh incorrectly states that no specific reference is available for this article), and Mary Norment's The Lowrie history.

This detailed and interestingly written account of Rhoda's milieu and her historical significance would have been improved by tighter editing and proofreading.