The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-06-01

D. H.;C., a Charleston correspondent Of the
New York Tribune, publishes in that journal a
sketch of the life of G. G. Bowen, member OF
Congress elect from the Charleston District, in
reply to the statements made by o correspon-
dent Of the New York Times in letter, some
extracts from which were published in TIE
News. BE says: 81
At the breaking out OF the war Mr.. Bowen
was 10 resident OF the State Of Georgia. He did
not volunteer in the rebel service, but on the
passage of the first Conscript act in the SUM
mer OF 1852, he falling within the prescribed
ages, received official notice to report on a
specified day as conscript. Knowing that in
the ordinary course Of events hecyould be sent
to JOIN the rebel army in Virginia, ana deter.
mined to do no active service in the rebel
cause, he ayailed himself of the opportunity to
ioin company then forming fdr home duty,
composed almost entirely OF men of similar
views with his own. In this company he was
elected third lieutenant, and subsequently,
by the resignation Of all his company officers
above himself, he becane captain OF the COM
cure exemption for himself and his friends
from active service. In this aiIh he was sue
cessful until 1864, during which year, as the
certainty OF active service increased, he OBJ
tanned O. ten days leave Of absence, which leave
OF absence he himself extended to nearly three
months. For this offence against the dscip-
line of the rebel army he was court martialed
and dismissed the service.
Some four weeks subsequent to his disnis-
sal, while the battalion to which his company
had been formerly attached were encamped on
the coast of Sonth Carolina, one Major White,
commanding the battalion, was shot and
wounded in his own camp at night. AT the
date Of this occurrence, Mr.. Bowen was in Co
lumbia, two hundred miles distant. Neverthe-
less, On order was issued by the officer then in
command Of the battalion to tho civil authorl-
ties in Charleston to arrest MIR. Bowen on the
charge OF killing Major White, although White
was then living. Mr.. Bowen happening soon
after to be in Charleston, and learning of this
order, Immediately and voluntarily surrender
ed himself prisoner, and was imprisoned in
the Charleston jail.
His prosecutor learning that Mr.. Bowen was
able to prove an alibi, changed his charge to
one of being accessory to the killing of White.
On this charge Mr.. Bowen diligently and earn
estly demanded trial during his whole impris-
onment, but no trial was ever allowed. Some
days previous to the fall Of Charleston, without
explanation and without trial, Mr.. Bowen was
Internationally released by the rebel authori-
ties. Now, bs it remembered, that from that
day to this, Mr.. Bowen has been resident of
this city, at all times within reach of the laws,
and amenable thereto, YET never, from that day
10 this, has any attempt been made to bring
this alleged murderer to account or trial. What
shall be said .such charge IN view of this
record2 Is any conclusion admissible except
that the charge was originally purely malicious!
And what, especially, shall be said OF this latest
reverend slanderer, who comes here 70 eaten
up this foul charge and proclaim it to the whole
country? Does not every fair mind say that
his course is vi.er than that of his rebel con-
freres?
Upon the occupation of Charleston by the
Union forces, MIR. Bowen at once found en-
ployment in the service Of the United States,
and soon devoted himself almost exclusively to
the duties OF an attorney for the freedmen OF
this city and vicinity. he was conspicuous on
all occasions in asserting the rights OF the
freedmen, and in instructing them in their
duties in their new relations. When the Re-
construction acts we're passed, Mr.. Bowen was
the earliest and most efficient laborer in the
great woik Of organizing the Republican party
in the State. He necessarily subjected him
self to the intensest hatred OF the rebels and to
the jealousy Of some narrow-minded Republic
cans. Again in the summer OF 1867, we ind
him summarily arrested and lmprison-
I'd in Castle Pinckney BY military
to injure MIR. Bowen, that after the closest
scrutiny, he was again Internationally re:eas-
ed, upon an official report, Of which the follow
ing is the concluding sentence: ut ls due MI.
Bowen that / say can discover no fraudulent
act or intention on his trial. At the election
Of delegates to the Constitutional Convention,
Mr.. Bowen was chosen to represent in part the
City Of Charleston. In the Convention, by
confession of his former enemies. he bore an
eminent and honorable part; was Chairman OF
in ali his duties; just, liberal and patriotic in
his spirit and aston. His bitterest enemy will
find it hard 10 discover, in the records Of that
Convention, anything which does not indicate
that MIR. Bowen's large influence was due
simply to his ability, industry, fairness and
moderation