Union Flank Attack

Captain E. A. Bowen, Part 4; A Visit to Culpeper

This is the fourth and last post in a series on the service of Captain Erwin Ambrose Bowen of the 28th New York Volunteers and the 151st New York Volunteers. We are grateful to Mary Z. Robinson for sharing her ancestor’s story with us.

Introduction

Presented here is the narrative of Harry Bowen, the youngest son of Captain Erwin Bowen, Co. D, 28th New York Volunteers. Harry attended the 1902 40th reunion of the regiment at Culpeper, VA, and the dedication of the 28th NY monument in the Culpeper National Cemetery. This document was in the collection of Lon Lacy, received from Capt. Bowen’s descendant, Mary Z. Robinson, in 2012 at the 150th anniversary of the battle. Continue reading “Captain E. A. Bowen, Part 4; A Visit to Culpeper”

Capt. E. A. Bowen, Part 3; With the 151st NY at Payne’s Farm

I want to thank Mary Robinson, descendant of Captain Erwin Ambrose Bowen, for the biographical materials on her Great-Great Grandfather which is presented in this series of posts.

Captain Erwin A. Bowen was paroled from Libby Prison at Aiken’s Landing in Richmond, on September 13, 1862. At Washington, D.C. on the 17th, he secured fifteen days leave of absence and started for home on the 5 p.m. train. That leave would extend to October 2nd. On October 1st Captain Bowen mustered out of the 28th New York Volunteers. On October 31st, Lieutenant-Colonel Bowen mustered into the newly minted 151st New York Volunteers, a 3 year regiment.

Continue reading “Capt. E. A. Bowen, Part 3; With the 151st NY at Payne’s Farm”

Capt. Erwin A. Bowen, Part 2; Libby Prison

Captain Bowen’s great-great-granddaughter shared this manuscript of her ancestor’s service so that it could be posted here. These soldiers’ personal stories, from both sides of the battle, are what makes our battlefield history so compelling.

In 1858 Erwin Bowen married Anna Beach. He was then a lieutenant in the New York State Militia. On September 25, 1860, a daughter Effie, was born. She would be the first of 4 children. In the following letter, Captain Bowen, writes to his wife about his experiences at the Battle of Cedar Mountain and as a captured prisoner of war following the engagement. Towards the end of the letter, he records the passing of his young daughter’s 2nd birthday, while he was still held captive as a prisoner of war in Richmond. Here is the captain’s story in his own words.

Continue reading “Capt. Erwin A. Bowen, Part 2; Libby Prison”

Capt. Erwin Ambrose Bowen, 28th NY; Part 1: Introduction

I want to thank Captain Bowen’s great-great-granddaughter, Mary Robinson for helping me share her ancestor’s story, presented here in several parts, of which this is the first.

The 28th New York Volunteers lost heavily at the Battle of Cedar Mountain.^#1 It was the defining episode of the regiment’s two year history, and they memorialized it in writings, battlefield monuments and veteran re-unions. The story of Captain Erwin A. Bowen figures prominently amidst these engaging human interest stories.

No. 7. Brig. Gen. Alpheus S. Williams.

No. 7.

Report of Brig. Gen. Alpheus S. Williams, U. S. Army, commanding First Division, Second Corps.

Hdqrs. First Div., Second Corps, Army of Virginia,
Near Cedar Run, Va., August 16, 1862.

Major: I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of the division under my command in the action at this place on the 9th instant:

My division, since the transfer of Geary’s brigade, is composed of the brigade commanded by Brigadier-General Crawford (Twenty-eighth New York, Colonel Donnelly; Forty-sixth Pennsylvania, Colonel Knipe; Tenth Maine, Colonel Beal, and Fifth Connecticut, Colonel Chapman), and of the Third Brigade, commanded by Brigadier-General Gordon (Third Wisconsin, Colonel Ruger; Second Massachusetts, Colonel Andrews, and Twenty-seventh Indiana, Colonel Colgrove). Continue reading “No. 7. Brig. Gen. Alpheus S. Williams.”

No. 8. Brig. Gen. Samuel W. Crawford.

No. 8.

Report of Brig. Gen. Samuel W. Crawford, U. S. Army, commanding First Brigade.

Hdqrs. First Brigade, First Division, Second Corps,
Army of Virginia, August 14, 1862.

Major: I have the honor to submit the following report of the operation of the force under my command in the recent engagement with the rebel forces near Cedar Mountain, Va.: Continue reading “No. 8. Brig. Gen. Samuel W. Crawford.”

No. 35. Capt. Charles L. Haynes.

No. 35.

Report of Capt. Charles L. Haynes, Twenty-seventh Virginia Infantry.

Camp Near Gordonsville, Va., August 13, 1862.

Sir: I respectfully submit the following as a report of the part my regiment took in the battle of the 9th instant near Ripley’s Station, in Culpeper County, Virginia: Continue reading “No. 35. Capt. Charles L. Haynes.”

No. 36. Lieut.-Col. Edwin G. Lee.

No. 36.

Report of Lieut. Col. Edwin G. Lee, Thirty-third Virginia Infantry.

Camp Garnett, Va.,
August 13, 1862.

Captain: In obedience to orders just received I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by me in the action of August 9 at Cedar Run: Continue reading “No. 36. Lieut.-Col. Edwin G. Lee.”

No. 38. Capt. William A. Witcher.

No. 38.

Report of Capt. W. A. Witcher, Twenty-first Virginia Infantry.

Camp Near Gordonsville, Va.,
August 13, 1862.

Sir: In obedience to order I offer the following report of the Twenty-first Virginia Regiment in the battle of Slaughter Mountain on the 9th instant, which I fear will be an imperfect one, as I only took command after the fight had considerably advanced: Continue reading “No. 38. Capt. William A. Witcher.”

No. 39. Capt. Abner Dobyns.

No. 39.

Report of Capt. Abner Dobyns, Forty-second Virginia Infantry.

Camp Near Liberty Mills,
August 13, 1862.

Colonel: In obedience to orders I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of the Forty-second Regiment Virginia Volunteers in the recent engagement at Cedar Run, Culpeper County, Virginia, on August 9: Continue reading “No. 39. Capt. Abner Dobyns.”