Baldwin, Miss.

Sept. 25th, 1862

Mr. G. K. Bowers & wife,

It is my painful duty to write you a few lines and inform you of the death of your worthy son W. P. Bowers, who fell on the 19th Inst. [Sept.] in an engagement with the enemy at Iuka Miss. Billy fell in the front rank while we were making a charge on the enemy. No truer or better soldier lived than he was. Always ready to do his duty & cheerful to meet the enemies of his Country where ever they made their appearance. He was shot in the breast by a grape shot and died instantly. He was left on the field, and all of his money & other effects on his person was lost. I did not have time to secure anything, for we were in seventy five steps of the enemies batteries & pressing onward. The battle lasted about two hours, when it was ended by the darkness of the night. We drove 3 brigades back & captured 9 pieces of fine artillery. The 2nd Brig. & a portion of the 4th were engaged. The 3d Texas lead the advance from the fire of the first skirmishers --- until the battle was over. We went into the fight with 378 men rank & file in the Regt., had 22 killed dead on the field and 74 wounded & 10 missing. Our Col. was badly wounded. 4 commissioned officers were killed and 10 wounded in the Regt. The Brigade lost in killed, wounded & missing about 600. The federals report their loss at 1500. I think that they have exaggerated their loss.

I had three men killed dead in my company besides Billy. "Viz" William

T. Hams, W. P. Crowley, and Carter Caldwell. John Felps dangerously

wounded & John Myers slightly. Your letter of the 7th Inst. [Sept.] to Billy came to hand after his fall. I opened it & read it. I want you to let me know what course to take with his horse when he gets here. If you have no orders to give I shall have to kill it for it will be impossible to keep him while we are on active duty. I wish to know your wishes in this premises without delay. On the 20th we retreated from Iuka to this place, not being able to cope with the force they could bring against us. And as we left the Co. area they commenced shelling it.

I hear it reported that we will leave in the morning for Holly Springs. I do not know how true the report is. Direct your letter to Prices' Command, 2nd Brig., 3rd Texas Cavalry, and I will get Saltillo P.O. My painful duty is performed. Accept the sympathy of myself & Company in this sad bereavement. Billy had endeared himself to the entire Company by his moral sturdy course of life, his death is deeply regretted. Respectfully,

Your friend,

James A. Jones