Sunday at 9 p.m., viewers of the History Channel can catch Mentone resident Eric Lowman, 30, in "Sherman's March."
The two-hour special focuses on Maj. Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman's march from Atlanta, Ga., to the South Carolina coastline during the Civil War. Along the way, Sherman and his men destroyed Confederate communication lines and anything they thought might be important to the South.The film Sunday focuses on whether Sherman was a hero or villain, Lowman said in an interview Wednesday afternoon.
"I think it's a neat opportunity to see Sherman because nothing has been done on him but books," said Lowman.
Lowman has worked on about 30 films, documentaries and television shows, including the 2003 film "Gods and Generals," "The Amazing Race," "Unsolved History" and "History vs. Hollywood." He and his wife recently moved back to the Mentone area after living in Pennsylvania for the past seven years. It was in Pennsylvania that Lowman was able to obtain parts in film as a history re-enactor.
Lowman filmed his parts for "Sherman's March" in September in Boonsboro, Md., and then down to Endview Plantation, Newsport News, Va.
What made making the film special for Lowman, he said, was that his great-great-great-grandfather was a soldier in Sherman's March. He wanted to be a part of the movie from the moment he heard it was being done.
Lowman said his great-great-great-grandfather was in the 12th Indiana Infantry, Co. F, a Warsaw Company. It was Gen. Reub Williams' regiment, Lowman said, but Williams did not participate in the March, which he later regretted. Williams was the founder of the Times-Union.
Another reason Lowman was excited to be a part of "Sherman's March" was because he got to wear a replica of the jacket issued to the soldiers of the 12th Indiana Co. He said he wanted to wear it in a film for a long time to honor his great-great-great-grandfather. He said there are only two examples left of what the 12th Indiana jacket looked like. The original was made in Indianapolis by Joseph Straub.
The best scene of "Sherman's March" to catch Lowman in, he said, is a scene that involves a firing squad taking a Confederate soldier out. Lowman is the guy who puts the blindfold over the Confederate's eyes.
"I play both Union and Confederate," said Lowman of his many roles in the film. "Grandpa wouldn't like that."
In the film, Lowman also got to do stunt work, marching and battle scenes.
"You just got to know where to look," Lowman said.
For the film, Lowman had his first opportunity to do stunt work. He said, "That was the most fun thing on the shoot, doing the stunts."
The premiere for "Sherman's March" was in Washington, D.C., Tuesday night. Lowman was invited, but unable to attend.
"The whole thing looks like it will be good," said Lowman.
For a sneak peek and behind-the-scenes footage, visit:
