Title: Thomas H. Bowen Military Papers (photocopies)

Date/Date Range :   1864-1886

Extent: 0.1 linear feet

Abstract:

The collection contains photocopies of military papers of Thomas H. Bowen, including muster rolls, and materials related to his enlistment, desertions, and discharge. Materials are dated from March 31, 1864 (his date of enlistment) to 1886 (date his discharge certificate was furnished).

Call number: MS-2530

Repository: University of Tennessee Special Collections Library, Knoxville, TN

Aquisition Information:

Collection was donated to Special Collections.

Access Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Copyright:

The copyright interests in this collection remain with the creator. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library.

Preferred Citation:

[Identification of Item], Thomas H. Bowen Military Papers (photocopies), MS-2530. University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Special Collections Library.

Collection consists of a single folder.

Thomas H. Bowen enlisted March 30, 1864 in the 14th Regiment, Pennsylvania Cavalry at New Brighton, PA. Most of the papers list his age as 29, making the year of his birth 1835 (one muster roll claims he is 19, in which case, he would have been born in 1945), in Green County, PA. His occupation is listed as farmer. He served in both Company D and E. Bowen never exceeded the rank of private.

On November 1, 1864, he deserted from Martinsburg, West Virginia. April 13, 1865, he surrendered in Morgantown, West Virginia. He does not appear to have been convicted and he returned to service. After the regiment was moved to Kansas in June of 1865, he deserted again, this time from Fort Leavenworth on August 2. Again, Bowen seems to avoided any penalty, as an April 17, 1886 War Department documents states that "the charge of desertion of August 2, 1865 against this man is removed." The copy of Bowen's papers enclosed cites his discharge as August 2, 1865, though the certificate is dated April 21, 1886. Three weeks after his discharge, the entire 14th Regiment, Pennsylvania Cavalry, was mustered out.

The collection contains photocopies of military papers of Thomas H. Bowen, including muster rolls, and materials related to his enlistment, desertions, and discharge. Materials are dated from March 31, 1864 (his date of enlistment) to 1886 (date his discharge certificate was furnished). Of particular interest are the various War Department and Regiment notes on both his desertions and the clearing of charges. Also included is a page of notes, dated August 4, 1865, on the General Court's intentions to bring charges against Bowen on the following day.

• United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Desertions.
• United States. Army. Pennsylvania Cavalry, 14th (1861-1865).