Will Bowen
William Drury Bowen, 1Lt. Ensign, 16th Ala Inf.
Sun Jun 10 11:26:27 2001


W.D. Bowen was my GGgrandfather. He joined the unit in 1861
enlisting as a private. After Shiloh he was promoted to
corporal. Subsequently promoted to sergeant in 1862 and
color sergeant for the regiment. He was in all of the major
battles of the Army of Tenn. He was in Lowerys Brigade,
Cleburne's Div. My research and records indicate he was
wounded in the left arm, July 22,1864, Battle of Atlanta,
possibly at Bald Hill. He was promoted to 1st Lt. Ensign as
previously indicated in your message recommended by his
commander F.A. Ashford. Incidently, family history tells
that he would not let surgeons amputate his arm, bone was
removed, upper left humerous. He shows up on a report, Nov 7, 1864 as listed with staff officers, Cheathams Corp. However after his wound, I do not know in what capacity he
served. What I know of the Battle of Franklin , Nov.30, 1864, I do not know how he could have survived the battle
if he was still color bearer. The colors of the 16th Ala.
were captured in that battle. I have photos of him after the war, 1909 in Russellville with the U.C. V. John Harris
Chapter, holding a replica of the 16th AL. Colors. He was
elected color sergeant for the chapter.