MAJ, HQ, 100th IL INF....died Dec 3, 1864, just days after being severely wounded at the Battle of Franklin, TN.
Excerpted from Joliet Signal, December 13, 1864, Column 3:
Wounded - Major Rodney S. Bowen, fractures left thigh. (Maj. B. has since died)
Among the numerous causalities of the bloody conflict at Franklin, was that of Major Rodney S. Bowen, of the 100th Ill. Regiment. He fell like a true hero, in the thickest of the fight, mortally wounded, and survived but a short time. His remains were sent to his bereaved family at Wilmington reached there on Wednesday last, and were interred on Thursday. Our County Court was adjourned on the day of the funeral by Judge Harris, out of respect to the deceased.
Thus another of the brave young men who went out with the noble 100th, has fallen.
The list of the dead of that regiment since it departed from our city is fearfully large. Indeed it makes our hearts sick to reflect upon the appalling destruction to the best men of the county by this cruel war.
Major Bowne was the only son of Dr. A.W. Bowen of Wilmington, and was a yo8ung man of bright promise. He formerly, with his parents, resided in this city: and before leaving here, thought quite young, had established and admirable reputation for purity of life, manly conduct, and all those virtues that ennobles the young. He was indeed one of the most unexceptionable young men of our acquaintance. Shortly after becoming a resident of Wilmington he united in marriage with a daughter of Dr. Todd, of Rockville, and entered into business with his father.
When the 100th regiment was raised he was among the first to enlist, and was shoeen Captain of the senior company. Upon the death of Col. Bartleson and resignation of Lieut. Col. Waterman, he was promoted to the position of Major, which he filled with honor and fidelity to his men and our noble flag until he received his death-wound. Like his gallant leader, Bartleson, he had recovered from a severe wound and returned to duty but so fell again, never to rise. The bereaved wife and parents of the noble young officer have the condolence of the people of Will county in their afflictions.
Transcribed from Fifteen Years Ago: or the Patriotism of Will County... By George H. Woodruff.
Major Rodney S. Bowen was another of the costly sacrifices made by our county in the late war of the rebellion. He was born in Herkimer county, N.Y., in the year 1832. In the year 1834, his parents, Dr. A.W. Bowen and wife, removed to Joliet, being among the very earliest settlers, -- coming here when Joliet existed only in name and prophecy. It was here that Major Bowen grew up from infancy –his own infancy and that of this city as well, -- and here he remained until the removal of his parents to Wilmington, in the year 1849. Major Bowen was an only son, and at the time of his death the only child of his parents. He received a good English education, and was a young man of fine abilities, extended information, pure morals, and cultivated tastes. In the year 1855, he was united in marriage with Miss Fannie Todd, a daughter of Dr. Todd of Rockville, one of the earliest and most respected settlers on the Kankakee River. Mrs. Bowen still survives her husband with two children. Major Bowen was very happily situated, and prosperously engaged in business, at the breaking out of the rebellion, and seemingly had every inducement to remain at home and enjoy his ease and happy surroundings. But he was not willing to remain an idle spectator of the fierce conflict, in which our country was engaged. When the call was made for "300,000 more," in July 1862, Major Bowen felt that it was his duty to take an active part in the struggle, and he at once set about enlisting a company in the town of Wilmington, and with the assistance of Stewart, Gano, Mitchell and others, he soon had the volunteers requisite to organize a company. Of this company he was chosen captain, and it was mustered in as Co. A, of the 100th Illinois He served in this position with great acceptance to his men and superior officers, and honor to himself, being constantly at his post, and sharing in all the weary campaigns and fierce encounters of the regiment, and escaping unharmed, until the battles in front of Chattanooga, in the latter part of November, when Grant raised the blockage of that post. Here he received on the 23rd, a severe flesh wound in the calf of his leg. But although the wound was a severe one, he did not leave the field. A lieutenant of an Ohio regiment, just then off duty, bound up the wounded leg with his handkerchief, caught a stray horse for him and assisted him to mount, and thus Captain Bowen kept the field with his company until the battle of Mission Ridge was so triumphantly won. After the battle he was relieved for a time from active duty, and during his recovery from the wound he paid a visit to his home and friends in Wilmington. He rejoined his regiment in February 1864, while it was in winter quarters at Louden. In his first letter home, after rejoining his regiment, he speaks of the homesick feelings which came over him on his journey away from the home whose delights he had been permitted once more to enjoy for a little while, and how hard it was for him to do so, saying, that "for a time he felt like throwing up his commission and returning to the ease and comfort of a life of peace." But say he, "better thoughts soon resumed possession of my mind, and I thought of my companions in arms, cheerfully enduring unto death if need be, -- of my bleeding country torn by a gigantic rebellion, -- of the necessity that every man should put his shoulder to the wheel to raise the car of state, from the slough of despond into which it had fallen, but from which it was beginning to emerge, --of the thanks of a grateful people, that would be given to those who kept on until the foe had laid down his arms, -- and of the obscurity that awaited those who should falter in the strife. I gathered my wandering resolutions, and set out once more cheerfully and willingly for the front." Such spirit that animated Major Bowen, and which breathes through all his letters home, and which, of course were written for no eyes except those of his family. Major Bowen continued in command of Co. A until it reached the vicinity of Atlanta, sharing in the exposures and engagements of that active campaign, but escaping unharmed. On the 17th of July he was obliged to leave the front, and was ordered to the officers' hospital at Chattanooga, on account of a severe attack of inflammation in one of his eyes. He remained in hospital until the 6th or 8th of September, when, having recovered, he rejoined his regiment before Atlanta. Meanwhile, the death of Col. Bartleson, and the resignation of Lieut. Col. Waterman had brought about the promotion of Major Hammond, and Captain Bowen was made major. While laid up in hospital in Chattanooga he had seriously entertained the idea of resigning his post, and retiring from the service, but as his eye soon began to get better, he gave up the thought, and determined to continue to share the dangers and labors of the regiment while the country should need him. He accordingly shared the subsequent campaigns and exposures of the regiment until the battle of Franklin, near the close of the war in the west. Here, he was with his regiment in the thickest of that bloody fight, one of the most severe in which the regiment was engaged, and in the course of which he was again wounded, this time in the thigh; and, alas! with such severity as to terminate in his death at Nashville, three days after. The exposure of the removal from Franklin to Nashville, during the falling back of the army, was so great as to disappoint the hopes of his recovery, and thus add one more to the number of valuable lives sacrificed to the accursed rebellion. His remains were brought back home to Wilmington, and received all the honor and respect which it was possible to give them. Judge Harris, holding court at the time, adjourned the same, attending with a large delegation of citizens from this place, (Joliet), the funeral, which took place at Wilmington. The loss of Major Bowen was deeply felt by the community, and great sympathy was felt with his honored parents, who were thus called upon to sacrifice, not only their choicest, but their only gift upon the alter of their country.
Major Bowen was a member of the Episcopal church, having been baptized in infancy; and the age of twenty-two, on his own deliberate and hearty choice, received the rite of confirmation, -- consecrating himself for life to God's worship and service; an act which was supplemented by a pure and noble Christian life.
Excerpted from Joliet Signal, December 13, 1864, Column 3:
Wounded - Major Rodney S. Bowen, fractures left thigh. (Maj. B. has since died)
Among the numerous causalities of the bloody conflict at Franklin, was that of Major Rodney S. Bowen, of the 100th Ill. Regiment. He fell like a true hero, in the thickest of the fight, mortally wounded, and survived but a short time. His remains were sent to his bereaved family at Wilmington reached there on Wednesday last, and were interred on Thursday. Our County Court was adjourned on the day of the funeral by Judge Harris, out of respect to the deceased.
Thus another of the brave young men who went out with the noble 100th, has fallen.
The list of the dead of that regiment since it departed from our city is fearfully large. Indeed it makes our hearts sick to reflect upon the appalling destruction to the best men of the county by this cruel war.
Major Bowne was the only son of Dr. A.W. Bowen of Wilmington, and was a yo8ung man of bright promise. He formerly, with his parents, resided in this city: and before leaving here, thought quite young, had established and admirable reputation for purity of life, manly conduct, and all those virtues that ennobles the young. He was indeed one of the most unexceptionable young men of our acquaintance. Shortly after becoming a resident of Wilmington he united in marriage with a daughter of Dr. Todd, of Rockville, and entered into business with his father.
When the 100th regiment was raised he was among the first to enlist, and was shoeen Captain of the senior company. Upon the death of Col. Bartleson and resignation of Lieut. Col. Waterman, he was promoted to the position of Major, which he filled with honor and fidelity to his men and our noble flag until he received his death-wound. Like his gallant leader, Bartleson, he had recovered from a severe wound and returned to duty but so fell again, never to rise. The bereaved wife and parents of the noble young officer have the condolence of the people of Will county in their afflictions.
Transcribed from Fifteen Years Ago: or the Patriotism of Will County... By George H. Woodruff.
Major Rodney S. Bowen was another of the costly sacrifices made by our county in the late war of the rebellion. He was born in Herkimer county, N.Y., in the year 1832. In the year 1834, his parents, Dr. A.W. Bowen and wife, removed to Joliet, being among the very earliest settlers, -- coming here when Joliet existed only in name and prophecy. It was here that Major Bowen grew up from infancy –his own infancy and that of this city as well, -- and here he remained until the removal of his parents to Wilmington, in the year 1849. Major Bowen was an only son, and at the time of his death the only child of his parents. He received a good English education, and was a young man of fine abilities, extended information, pure morals, and cultivated tastes. In the year 1855, he was united in marriage with Miss Fannie Todd, a daughter of Dr. Todd of Rockville, one of the earliest and most respected settlers on the Kankakee River. Mrs. Bowen still survives her husband with two children. Major Bowen was very happily situated, and prosperously engaged in business, at the breaking out of the rebellion, and seemingly had every inducement to remain at home and enjoy his ease and happy surroundings. But he was not willing to remain an idle spectator of the fierce conflict, in which our country was engaged. When the call was made for "300,000 more," in July 1862, Major Bowen felt that it was his duty to take an active part in the struggle, and he at once set about enlisting a company in the town of Wilmington, and with the assistance of Stewart, Gano, Mitchell and others, he soon had the volunteers requisite to organize a company. Of this company he was chosen captain, and it was mustered in as Co. A, of the 100th Illinois He served in this position with great acceptance to his men and superior officers, and honor to himself, being constantly at his post, and sharing in all the weary campaigns and fierce encounters of the regiment, and escaping unharmed, until the battles in front of Chattanooga, in the latter part of November, when Grant raised the blockage of that post. Here he received on the 23rd, a severe flesh wound in the calf of his leg. But although the wound was a severe one, he did not leave the field. A lieutenant of an Ohio regiment, just then off duty, bound up the wounded leg with his handkerchief, caught a stray horse for him and assisted him to mount, and thus Captain Bowen kept the field with his company until the battle of Mission Ridge was so triumphantly won. After the battle he was relieved for a time from active duty, and during his recovery from the wound he paid a visit to his home and friends in Wilmington. He rejoined his regiment in February 1864, while it was in winter quarters at Louden. In his first letter home, after rejoining his regiment, he speaks of the homesick feelings which came over him on his journey away from the home whose delights he had been permitted once more to enjoy for a little while, and how hard it was for him to do so, saying, that "for a time he felt like throwing up his commission and returning to the ease and comfort of a life of peace." But say he, "better thoughts soon resumed possession of my mind, and I thought of my companions in arms, cheerfully enduring unto death if need be, -- of my bleeding country torn by a gigantic rebellion, -- of the necessity that every man should put his shoulder to the wheel to raise the car of state, from the slough of despond into which it had fallen, but from which it was beginning to emerge, --of the thanks of a grateful people, that would be given to those who kept on until the foe had laid down his arms, -- and of the obscurity that awaited those who should falter in the strife. I gathered my wandering resolutions, and set out once more cheerfully and willingly for the front." Such spirit that animated Major Bowen, and which breathes through all his letters home, and which, of course were written for no eyes except those of his family. Major Bowen continued in command of Co. A until it reached the vicinity of Atlanta, sharing in the exposures and engagements of that active campaign, but escaping unharmed. On the 17th of July he was obliged to leave the front, and was ordered to the officers' hospital at Chattanooga, on account of a severe attack of inflammation in one of his eyes. He remained in hospital until the 6th or 8th of September, when, having recovered, he rejoined his regiment before Atlanta. Meanwhile, the death of Col. Bartleson, and the resignation of Lieut. Col. Waterman had brought about the promotion of Major Hammond, and Captain Bowen was made major. While laid up in hospital in Chattanooga he had seriously entertained the idea of resigning his post, and retiring from the service, but as his eye soon began to get better, he gave up the thought, and determined to continue to share the dangers and labors of the regiment while the country should need him. He accordingly shared the subsequent campaigns and exposures of the regiment until the battle of Franklin, near the close of the war in the west. Here, he was with his regiment in the thickest of that bloody fight, one of the most severe in which the regiment was engaged, and in the course of which he was again wounded, this time in the thigh; and, alas! with such severity as to terminate in his death at Nashville, three days after. The exposure of the removal from Franklin to Nashville, during the falling back of the army, was so great as to disappoint the hopes of his recovery, and thus add one more to the number of valuable lives sacrificed to the accursed rebellion. His remains were brought back home to Wilmington, and received all the honor and respect which it was possible to give them. Judge Harris, holding court at the time, adjourned the same, attending with a large delegation of citizens from this place, (Joliet), the funeral, which took place at Wilmington. The loss of Major Bowen was deeply felt by the community, and great sympathy was felt with his honored parents, who were thus called upon to sacrifice, not only their choicest, but their only gift upon the alter of their country.
Major Bowen was a member of the Episcopal church, having been baptized in infancy; and the age of twenty-two, on his own deliberate and hearty choice, received the rite of confirmation, -- consecrating himself for life to God's worship and service; an act which was supplemented by a pure and noble Christian life.
MAJ, HQ, 100th IL INF....died Dec 3, 1864, just days after being severely wounded at the Battle of Franklin, TN.
Excerpted from Joliet Signal, December 13, 1864, Column 3:
Wounded - Major Rodney S. Bowen, fractures left thigh. (Maj. B. has since died)
Among the numerous causalities of the bloody conflict at Franklin, was that of Major Rodney S. Bowen, of the 100th Ill. Regiment. He fell like a true hero, in the thickest of the fight, mortally wounded, and survived but a short time. His remains were sent to his bereaved family at Wilmington reached there on Wednesday last, and were interred on Thursday. Our County Court was adjourned on the day of the funeral by Judge Harris, out of respect to the deceased.
Thus another of the brave young men who went out with the noble 100th, has fallen.
The list of the dead of that regiment since it departed from our city is fearfully large. Indeed it makes our hearts sick to reflect upon the appalling destruction to the best men of the county by this cruel war.
Major Bowne was the only son of Dr. A.W. Bowen of Wilmington, and was a yo8ung man of bright promise. He formerly, with his parents, resided in this city: and before leaving here, thought quite young, had established and admirable reputation for purity of life, manly conduct, and all those virtues that ennobles the young. He was indeed one of the most unexceptionable young men of our acquaintance. Shortly after becoming a resident of Wilmington he united in marriage with a daughter of Dr. Todd, of Rockville, and entered into business with his father.
When the 100th regiment was raised he was among the first to enlist, and was shoeen Captain of the senior company. Upon the death of Col. Bartleson and resignation of Lieut. Col. Waterman, he was promoted to the position of Major, which he filled with honor and fidelity to his men and our noble flag until he received his death-wound. Like his gallant leader, Bartleson, he had recovered from a severe wound and returned to duty but so fell again, never to rise. The bereaved wife and parents of the noble young officer have the condolence of the people of Will county in their afflictions.
Transcribed from Fifteen Years Ago: or the Patriotism of Will County... By George H. Woodruff.
Major Rodney S. Bowen was another of the costly sacrifices made by our county in the late war of the rebellion. He was born in Herkimer county, N.Y., in the year 1832. In the year 1834, his parents, Dr. A.W. Bowen and wife, removed to Joliet, being among the very earliest settlers, -- coming here when Joliet existed only in name and prophecy. It was here that Major Bowen grew up from infancy –his own infancy and that of this city as well, -- and here he remained until the removal of his parents to Wilmington, in the year 1849. Major Bowen was an only son, and at the time of his death the only child of his parents. He received a good English education, and was a young man of fine abilities, extended information, pure morals, and cultivated tastes. In the year 1855, he was united in marriage with Miss Fannie Todd, a daughter of Dr. Todd of Rockville, one of the earliest and most respected settlers on the Kankakee River. Mrs. Bowen still survives her husband with two children. Major Bowen was very happily situated, and prosperously engaged in business, at the breaking out of the rebellion, and seemingly had every inducement to remain at home and enjoy his ease and happy surroundings. But he was not willing to remain an idle spectator of the fierce conflict, in which our country was engaged. When the call was made for "300,000 more," in July 1862, Major Bowen felt that it was his duty to take an active part in the struggle, and he at once set about enlisting a company in the town of Wilmington, and with the assistance of Stewart, Gano, Mitchell and others, he soon had the volunteers requisite to organize a company. Of this company he was chosen captain, and it was mustered in as Co. A, of the 100th Illinois He served in this position with great acceptance to his men and superior officers, and honor to himself, being constantly at his post, and sharing in all the weary campaigns and fierce encounters of the regiment, and escaping unharmed, until the battles in front of Chattanooga, in the latter part of November, when Grant raised the blockage of that post. Here he received on the 23rd, a severe flesh wound in the calf of his leg. But although the wound was a severe one, he did not leave the field. A lieutenant of an Ohio regiment, just then off duty, bound up the wounded leg with his handkerchief, caught a stray horse for him and assisted him to mount, and thus Captain Bowen kept the field with his company until the battle of Mission Ridge was so triumphantly won. After the battle he was relieved for a time from active duty, and during his recovery from the wound he paid a visit to his home and friends in Wilmington. He rejoined his regiment in February 1864, while it was in winter quarters at Louden. In his first letter home, after rejoining his regiment, he speaks of the homesick feelings which came over him on his journey away from the home whose delights he had been permitted once more to enjoy for a little while, and how hard it was for him to do so, saying, that "for a time he felt like throwing up his commission and returning to the ease and comfort of a life of peace." But say he, "better thoughts soon resumed possession of my mind, and I thought of my companions in arms, cheerfully enduring unto death if need be, -- of my bleeding country torn by a gigantic rebellion, -- of the necessity that every man should put his shoulder to the wheel to raise the car of state, from the slough of despond into which it had fallen, but from which it was beginning to emerge, --of the thanks of a grateful people, that would be given to those who kept on until the foe had laid down his arms, -- and of the obscurity that awaited those who should falter in the strife. I gathered my wandering resolutions, and set out once more cheerfully and willingly for the front." Such spirit that animated Major Bowen, and which breathes through all his letters home, and which, of course were written for no eyes except those of his family. Major Bowen continued in command of Co. A until it reached the vicinity of Atlanta, sharing in the exposures and engagements of that active campaign, but escaping unharmed. On the 17th of July he was obliged to leave the front, and was ordered to the officers' hospital at Chattanooga, on account of a severe attack of inflammation in one of his eyes. He remained in hospital until the 6th or 8th of September, when, having recovered, he rejoined his regiment before Atlanta. Meanwhile, the death of Col. Bartleson, and the resignation of Lieut. Col. Waterman had brought about the promotion of Major Hammond, and Captain Bowen was made major. While laid up in hospital in Chattanooga he had seriously entertained the idea of resigning his post, and retiring from the service, but as his eye soon began to get better, he gave up the thought, and determined to continue to share the dangers and labors of the regiment while the country should need him. He accordingly shared the subsequent campaigns and exposures of the regiment until the battle of Franklin, near the close of the war in the west. Here, he was with his regiment in the thickest of that bloody fight, one of the most severe in which the regiment was engaged, and in the course of which he was again wounded, this time in the thigh; and, alas! with such severity as to terminate in his death at Nashville, three days after. The exposure of the removal from Franklin to Nashville, during the falling back of the army, was so great as to disappoint the hopes of his recovery, and thus add one more to the number of valuable lives sacrificed to the accursed rebellion. His remains were brought back home to Wilmington, and received all the honor and respect which it was possible to give them. Judge Harris, holding court at the time, adjourned the same, attending with a large delegation of citizens from this place, (Joliet), the funeral, which took place at Wilmington. The loss of Major Bowen was deeply felt by the community, and great sympathy was felt with his honored parents, who were thus called upon to sacrifice, not only their choicest, but their only gift upon the alter of their country.
Major Bowen was a member of the Episcopal church, having been baptized in infancy; and the age of twenty-two, on his own deliberate and hearty choice, received the rite of confirmation, -- consecrating himself for life to God's worship and service; an act which was supplemented by a pure and noble Christian life.
Excerpted from Joliet Signal, December 13, 1864, Column 3:
Wounded - Major Rodney S. Bowen, fractures left thigh. (Maj. B. has since died)
Among the numerous causalities of the bloody conflict at Franklin, was that of Major Rodney S. Bowen, of the 100th Ill. Regiment. He fell like a true hero, in the thickest of the fight, mortally wounded, and survived but a short time. His remains were sent to his bereaved family at Wilmington reached there on Wednesday last, and were interred on Thursday. Our County Court was adjourned on the day of the funeral by Judge Harris, out of respect to the deceased.
Thus another of the brave young men who went out with the noble 100th, has fallen.
The list of the dead of that regiment since it departed from our city is fearfully large. Indeed it makes our hearts sick to reflect upon the appalling destruction to the best men of the county by this cruel war.
Major Bowne was the only son of Dr. A.W. Bowen of Wilmington, and was a yo8ung man of bright promise. He formerly, with his parents, resided in this city: and before leaving here, thought quite young, had established and admirable reputation for purity of life, manly conduct, and all those virtues that ennobles the young. He was indeed one of the most unexceptionable young men of our acquaintance. Shortly after becoming a resident of Wilmington he united in marriage with a daughter of Dr. Todd, of Rockville, and entered into business with his father.
When the 100th regiment was raised he was among the first to enlist, and was shoeen Captain of the senior company. Upon the death of Col. Bartleson and resignation of Lieut. Col. Waterman, he was promoted to the position of Major, which he filled with honor and fidelity to his men and our noble flag until he received his death-wound. Like his gallant leader, Bartleson, he had recovered from a severe wound and returned to duty but so fell again, never to rise. The bereaved wife and parents of the noble young officer have the condolence of the people of Will county in their afflictions.
Transcribed from Fifteen Years Ago: or the Patriotism of Will County... By George H. Woodruff.
Major Rodney S. Bowen was another of the costly sacrifices made by our county in the late war of the rebellion. He was born in Herkimer county, N.Y., in the year 1832. In the year 1834, his parents, Dr. A.W. Bowen and wife, removed to Joliet, being among the very earliest settlers, -- coming here when Joliet existed only in name and prophecy. It was here that Major Bowen grew up from infancy –his own infancy and that of this city as well, -- and here he remained until the removal of his parents to Wilmington, in the year 1849. Major Bowen was an only son, and at the time of his death the only child of his parents. He received a good English education, and was a young man of fine abilities, extended information, pure morals, and cultivated tastes. In the year 1855, he was united in marriage with Miss Fannie Todd, a daughter of Dr. Todd of Rockville, one of the earliest and most respected settlers on the Kankakee River. Mrs. Bowen still survives her husband with two children. Major Bowen was very happily situated, and prosperously engaged in business, at the breaking out of the rebellion, and seemingly had every inducement to remain at home and enjoy his ease and happy surroundings. But he was not willing to remain an idle spectator of the fierce conflict, in which our country was engaged. When the call was made for "300,000 more," in July 1862, Major Bowen felt that it was his duty to take an active part in the struggle, and he at once set about enlisting a company in the town of Wilmington, and with the assistance of Stewart, Gano, Mitchell and others, he soon had the volunteers requisite to organize a company. Of this company he was chosen captain, and it was mustered in as Co. A, of the 100th Illinois He served in this position with great acceptance to his men and superior officers, and honor to himself, being constantly at his post, and sharing in all the weary campaigns and fierce encounters of the regiment, and escaping unharmed, until the battles in front of Chattanooga, in the latter part of November, when Grant raised the blockage of that post. Here he received on the 23rd, a severe flesh wound in the calf of his leg. But although the wound was a severe one, he did not leave the field. A lieutenant of an Ohio regiment, just then off duty, bound up the wounded leg with his handkerchief, caught a stray horse for him and assisted him to mount, and thus Captain Bowen kept the field with his company until the battle of Mission Ridge was so triumphantly won. After the battle he was relieved for a time from active duty, and during his recovery from the wound he paid a visit to his home and friends in Wilmington. He rejoined his regiment in February 1864, while it was in winter quarters at Louden. In his first letter home, after rejoining his regiment, he speaks of the homesick feelings which came over him on his journey away from the home whose delights he had been permitted once more to enjoy for a little while, and how hard it was for him to do so, saying, that "for a time he felt like throwing up his commission and returning to the ease and comfort of a life of peace." But say he, "better thoughts soon resumed possession of my mind, and I thought of my companions in arms, cheerfully enduring unto death if need be, -- of my bleeding country torn by a gigantic rebellion, -- of the necessity that every man should put his shoulder to the wheel to raise the car of state, from the slough of despond into which it had fallen, but from which it was beginning to emerge, --of the thanks of a grateful people, that would be given to those who kept on until the foe had laid down his arms, -- and of the obscurity that awaited those who should falter in the strife. I gathered my wandering resolutions, and set out once more cheerfully and willingly for the front." Such spirit that animated Major Bowen, and which breathes through all his letters home, and which, of course were written for no eyes except those of his family. Major Bowen continued in command of Co. A until it reached the vicinity of Atlanta, sharing in the exposures and engagements of that active campaign, but escaping unharmed. On the 17th of July he was obliged to leave the front, and was ordered to the officers' hospital at Chattanooga, on account of a severe attack of inflammation in one of his eyes. He remained in hospital until the 6th or 8th of September, when, having recovered, he rejoined his regiment before Atlanta. Meanwhile, the death of Col. Bartleson, and the resignation of Lieut. Col. Waterman had brought about the promotion of Major Hammond, and Captain Bowen was made major. While laid up in hospital in Chattanooga he had seriously entertained the idea of resigning his post, and retiring from the service, but as his eye soon began to get better, he gave up the thought, and determined to continue to share the dangers and labors of the regiment while the country should need him. He accordingly shared the subsequent campaigns and exposures of the regiment until the battle of Franklin, near the close of the war in the west. Here, he was with his regiment in the thickest of that bloody fight, one of the most severe in which the regiment was engaged, and in the course of which he was again wounded, this time in the thigh; and, alas! with such severity as to terminate in his death at Nashville, three days after. The exposure of the removal from Franklin to Nashville, during the falling back of the army, was so great as to disappoint the hopes of his recovery, and thus add one more to the number of valuable lives sacrificed to the accursed rebellion. His remains were brought back home to Wilmington, and received all the honor and respect which it was possible to give them. Judge Harris, holding court at the time, adjourned the same, attending with a large delegation of citizens from this place, (Joliet), the funeral, which took place at Wilmington. The loss of Major Bowen was deeply felt by the community, and great sympathy was felt with his honored parents, who were thus called upon to sacrifice, not only their choicest, but their only gift upon the alter of their country.
Major Bowen was a member of the Episcopal church, having been baptized in infancy; and the age of twenty-two, on his own deliberate and hearty choice, received the rite of confirmation, -- consecrating himself for life to God's worship and service; an act which was supplemented by a pure and noble Christian life.
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