Private Lewis L. Bowers
of Ohio, Indiana & Washington

NOTE:  When Private Lewis' muster file was submitted to me for housing here at the Homestead, all I'd received was the file itself and of course, his discharge.  I decided that our private needed (at least) part of his story told.  Since this isn't my line, I did only cursory research.  The papers were submitted by Patrick Kenney, and they are not from his line.  I have no further information on Lewis other than what you see here.

Lewis L. Bowers was born about 1843 in Canall, Ohio.  I've been unable to find any town by that name, however there are populated places in Ohio with the name "Canal," viz: Canal Lewisville, Coshocton County; Canal Spur (historical), Coshocton County; Canal Winchester, Fairfield County; Canalport, Paulding Cunty; Canal Fulton, Stark County; Canal Dover (incorporated in 1842; now, just Dover)

Lewis served in the Union Army as a private in D Company, 30th Regiment Indiana Volunteers under Captain J.W. Whitaker.  Lewis was enlisted at Fort Wayne, Indiana on 20 September 1861 to serve three years.  He stood 5 feet, 8-1/2 inches tall, was of light complexion with black eyes, and chestnut hair.  At that time he gave his occupation as farmer.

The 30th Regiment, Indiana was organized at Fort Wayne in the summer of 1861, and was mustered in 24 September. It left the state at once for Camp Nevin on the Nolin River in Kentucky, where it reported to General Rousseau.  The regiment remained there until February, 1862.   From 14 February to 3 March 1862, the 30th marched to Bowling Green, Kentucky, then on to Nashville, Tennessee.   Two weeks later, the unit marched to Savannah, Tennessee, spending the days of 16 March to 6 April 1862 on the road.  The 30th Indiana participated in the Battle of Shiloh, Tennessee on 6-7 April, sustaining heavy regimental losses.  The unit next advanced on and laid siege to Corinth, Mississippi from 29 April to 30 May.  From 31 May to 6 June 1862, the 30th was enroute to Booneville where they joined Buell's Campaign in Northern Alabama and Middle Tennessee, one that would last from June to August. 

While they were in Tuscumbia, Alabama in June, Lewis fell ill.  It was the beginning of (at least) 6 months of disability, ultimately leading him to a medical discharge on 30 September 1862 at Camp Banacks, in Nashville, Tennessee.  Like thousands of others, Lewis would became a statistic of the Civil War, but not due to combat injury.  Chronic diarrhea and tuberculosis brought this soldier home, alive.   He was 19.

 

Disability Certificate

 

Card Numbers Returns Wrapper Front Muster In - Sep 1861
Aug - Oct 1861 Nov - Dec 1861 Jan - Feb 1862 March - April 1862
May - June 1862 Absentee Muster - June 1862 July - August 1862 Sept - Oct 1862
Nov - Dec 1862 Jan - Feb 1863 Muster Out Back of Wrapper

 

Lewis married Minnie E. Andrick on 1 November 1897 in Hancock County, Indiana1.  She was born about 1879 probably in Jackson, Hancock County, Indiana, the daughter of Penj H. and Mary A. "Anna" Andrick2.

Children of Lewis Bowers and Minnie Andrick:

  i. Marie3 Bowers, born 23 September 1902 in Vigo County, Indiana.
  ii. Infant male4, born 10 May 1905 in Vigo County, Indiana.  Died in infancy?

In the 1920 census, Lewis and Minnie show up in Pierce County, Washington at the Orting State Soldiers Home5.  Lewis and Minnie are both earning salaries working there as nurses.  The census, enumerated 2 January 1920, states that Minnie was born in California and both her parents in Kentucky.  According to the 1880 census2, this reporting is not correct.  Both of Minnie's parents were born in Ohio.  Lewis is shown as born in Ohio, as are both his parents.

Lewis died before 11 April 1930 in Orting, Pierce County, Washington.  He is buried there in the Orting Soldiers Home Cemetery.  The widowed Minnie, shows in the 19306 census of Orting, enumerated on 11 April. She is living alone.  She again reported that she was born in California, father born in Kentucky, mother in Maryland.  According to the 1880 census2, none of that is correct.

On 17 February 1931, widow Minnie Bowers applied in Washington State7 for her husband's disability pension.

 

Civil War Pension Index Card

 

 

Sources:

1.  Indiana Marriage Records, 1828-1920, Volume I, A-K.  Liber C-9, page 348.

2.  1880 Census of Jackson, Hancock County, Indiana.  SD3, ED 195, page 3C, call #125.

3.  Indiana Birth Records, 1882-1920, Volume I.  Liber CH-21, page 23.

4.  Indiana Birth Records, 1882-1920, Volume I.  Liber H-9, page 47.

5.  1920 Census of Pierce County, Washington.  SD3, ED 230, call #260, sheet 3B.

6.  1930 Census of Pierce County, Washington.  ED27-65, SD7, sheet 3A, call #119, frame #4101, line #27.

7.  General Index to (Civil War) Pension Files, 1861-1934. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration.  Film #T288-44, Image #781.

 

Pension papers submitted by Patrick Kenney [30Nov02]
Additional research by Webmistress