A Guide to the William H. Bowling, Letters, 1863, 1865 Bowling, William H., Letters, 1863, 1865 42655

A Guide to the William H. Bowling, Letters, 1863, 1865

A Collection in
the Library of Virginia
Accession Number 42655

Library of Virginia

The Library of Virginia
800 East Broad Street
Richmond, Virginia 23219-8000
USA
Phone: (804) 692-3888 (Archives Reference)
Fax: (804) 692-3556 (Archives Reference)
Email: archdesk@lva.virginia.gov(Archives)
URL: http://www.lva.virginia.gov/

Processed by: Vincent T. Brooks

Repository

The Library of Virginia

Accession Number

42655

Title

William H. Bowling, Letters, 1863, 1865

Physical Characteristics

14 p.

Creator

William H. Bowling

Language

English

Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

Collection is open to research.

Use Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Preferred Citation

William H. Bowling. Letters, 1863, 1865. Accession 42655. Personal papers collection, The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Va. 23219.

Acquisition Information

Gift of Merle Hundley, Richmond, Virginia, 15 May 2006.

Biographical Information

William H. Bowling was born circa 1840, presumably in or near Orange County, North Carolina. He married Lucretia Bowling on 16 May 1858. On 9 February 1863, he enlisted in the 2nd North Carolina Cavalry (19th North Carolina Troops) organized out of Orange County. Bowling is listed in the 1880 United States census for Mangum Township, Orange County, North Carolina, as a farmer with 700 dollars worth of real estate and property.

Scope and Content

This accession consists of two letters from Private William H. Bowling, of Company K, 2nd North Carolina Cavalry Regiment (19th Regiment North Carolina Troops). Bowling enlisted on 9 February 1863 from Orange County, North Carolina. The first letter dated 2 August 1863 is written from Culpeper Court House, Virginia, and discusses military rations, a possible furlough, and the progress of the war. Bowling also directs his wife, Lucretia, on what type of crop to plant.

The second letter, dated 19 March 1865, was written from a camp near Petersburg, Virginia. Bowling comments again on a lack of rations for the men and a plan by the military to take food stores from civilians to provide for soldiers. He also discusses the lack of feed for his horse and the need for another mount. Bowling anticipates the upcoming battle of Petersburg and notes troop desertions are a problem. He also mentions news of General William T. Sherman's progress through North Carolina.

Also included are transcriptions and inkjet copies of the manuscript letters and a Xerox copy of Bowling's compiled Confederate service record. The inkjet copies have been manipulated to increase the contrast and make the letters more legible.