The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-03-27

Wilmington lost another of her most
highly esteemed citizens yesterday in
the death of Captain John Cowan,
which occurred at his late residence,
No. 314 Chestnut street, at sos o'clock
in the afternoon.
The news of his death, which spread
over the city with remarkable rapidity,
was a severe shock to his many friends
and was, withal, a surprise despite the
fact that he had been i'll for several
months and the family had repeatedly
~despaired Of his life. However, he had
each time rallied and while little hope
of his recovery was entertained it had
been thought for several days that his
life was in no immediate danger. How
ever, he became very much worse yes
terday forenoon and sank rapidly until
his eyes closed in death at a few min
utes past 3 o'clock.
The deceased was a son of the la
mented Robert Il. and Mrs. Sa1lie Stone
Cowan, and was born on WrightsvilIe
sound September 9. 1912, being there
fore in n 58th yea of his age at the
time of his death His entire life has
been spent in Wilmington. Early in
lie he euIeT6u hOTnG1 : SclOOl ana
from there went to the University of
North Carolina, where he took a three
years course, entering the university
in July of 1857.
When the civil wal began, Captain
Cowan volunteered as a private in the
Wilmington Rifle Guards, which was
under command of Captain (now Judge
o. p. Meares. On April Is, 1861, his
company vas ordered by the governor
to Fort Caswell. The company was at
= tached to the Eighteenth regiment,
North Carolina infantry. Subsequently
he was promoted to the nj of second
lieutenant of Company D, Third North
Carolina regiment. which was at the
time doing active service on the PATIO
mac river. Captain COwan was taken
sick prior TO the Seven Days Fight at
Richmond and was sent home on a
furlough. He returned to his regiment
in time to participate valiantly in the
battle of Fredericksburg in December.
1862.
After the battle OF. Sharpsburg he
was made first lieutenant, Captain Ed.
Meares having been killed and First
Lieutenant VanBokkelen promoted to
his command. 1t was after the battle
of Characteristic that he received his
commission as captain,
having been killed in that fight.
Captain Cowan was an active partic-
ipant in the fight at Jordan Springs in
the valley of Virginia and in the Penn
sslvania campaign. At the battle of
Gettysburg he especially distinguished
himself for bravery in that with not
more than thirty men he held his line
against the enemy for a whole day
never abandoning his dangerous posi-
ton until ordered to do so by the COM
manding officer. After this fearful
fight he was in the battles Of Briston
Station. Payne's Farm. Mine Run and
Lucas Grove.
At Sp~OtSylvania Captain Cowan was
captured in the famous Horse Shoe"
or Bloody Angle and was k to
Fort Delaware as a prisoner of war.
A little later he was put on board a.
prison ship with the famous 400" and
carried to Charleston and put nde
the fire of confederate guns during the
bOmbardment of Morris Island. After
this fearful experience he was return
ed TO Fort Delaware and held as ii
prisoner until the close of the war.
Speaking of his war record a COM
rad said last night that Captain
Cowan was especially distinguished for
his GOODNESS under fire and as captain
was an exceedingly popular command
ing officer.
After the war Captain Cowan ran as
conductor for probably three years on
the Carolina Central railroad, and in
1868 formed a partnership with Cap
tain James 1. Nets and conducted an
extensive grocery business for three
years. Subsequently he was business
manager of the old Wilmington Jour-
nal for several years. When he retired
from The Journal he was elected to the
position of clerk of the police court
and in 1879 as clerk to the board of
audit and finance, which position he
filled up to the. time of his death.
On December 16, 1868 Captain Cowan
was married to Miss Marguerite Ander-
Major John Walker. Three children,
two sons and. a daughter. blessed their
union. The daughter, Mary Hill, died
when very young and the two sons,
Messrs. Robert H and James Fl,
Cowan survive, the former being now
in the city and Mr.. James H. Cowan
travelling as press agent for the Bos-
ton Star Concert Company. Two broth
ers and a sister also survive the de-
ceased. They are Mr.. E. d. Cowan, of
Canton, Miss, David S. Cowan, of
Brinkley. N. c., and Mrs. James F.
McRee. Of ASheville.
The bereaved relatives have the most
sincere sympathy of the whole commu-
nifty in their sad bereavement.
The deceased was a membe of Cape
Fear Camp, United Confederate Vet
Grams, was a past grand in Cape Fear
Lodge of Odd Fellows; a member of
Tar Heel Council of Heptasophs and of
NhC ~ u NAA
of the latter order.
He was a member of st. James Epis-
copal church and vas a man OF ad-
mirable Christian. character and great
~ admired by all who knew him. He
was for many years one of the board
Of trustees OF the Seamen's Home.
1t IS impossible as yet to
the hour for the funeral, as up to a
late hour last night it had been impos-
sible to locate Mr.. James H. Cowan
and communicate with him by tele-
graph. 1t is expected that his where
abouts will be ascertained this morn
ing so that he a reach here in time
for the funeral to be held tomorrow
(Monday) afternoon
Cape Fear camp of Confederate Vet
Grams win attend in a body.
A TRIBUTE TO CAPTAIN COWAN.
In connection with the death of Cap
tain Cowan The Messenger publishes
with pleasure the following deserved