The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-12-31
DEATH OF COL. COwLEs.

liz the death of Hon. William Henry
Harrison Cowles, of Wilkes county, the
State loses one of it's best men. In peace
and in war he was in the very front, and
ranked among the most capable and the
bravest After useful life spent in
public service, he retired to his beautiful
spent his last days in farming, giving that
time for contemplation which Nathaniel
Macon thought all men ought to give be-
tween the busy pursuits of life and the
near approach of death. He never lost in
terest in public affairs, and from time to
time gave his we'll considered views to
his friends who were in the heat of the
conflict This paper has been helped by
his wise counsel and not few extracts
from his pen have been quoted in these
columns. He was we'll grounded in the
faith and his Democracy was militant. He
believed in the rule of the people and saw
with deep regret the triumph of those
influences which he thought BODIED no
good to popular government.
Colonel Cowles was born in Hampton
VILE April 22nd 1910. In 1861 he volun-
teed as a private in a cavalry company
raised by Mr. T. N. Crumpler. He was
which was composed of picked young
men. He was among the. bravest of the
brave and AS early as the First Mary
land raid he was placed in command of
the extreme advance of the cavalry by
Stewart. On return he was placed in
command of the extreme rear guard. At
Auburn, where the lamented Colonel
Ruffn fell, it was Colonel Cowles who
rallied the men and continued the charge.
At Brandy Station Colonel Cowles led the
charge that drove the Tenth N. Y. Cav
airy out of line and to the rear. He
captured many notable prisoners. In the
battle OF Mine Run Colonel Cowles rem
dered conspicuous service, receiving his
first wound. a minnie ball piercing his
body. He was at Brick Church in the
engagement where Gordon felA and con-
tinued in active service until the 31st of
March, 1866, when. in leading desper-
near Petersburg, where after his horse
was shot leaving him knee deep in wa
ter. he was shot in the head. He was
thought to be dead and fell in the hands
of the Federal soldiers He was allowed
to go home on parole.
After the war, Colonel Cowles studied
law and was admitted to the bar in 1863,
and located at Wilkesboro where he has
since resided. In 1872 and 1874 he was
was elected solicitor of the Tenth dis
trio where he made much reputation as
an able and fearless prosecutor. In 1884
he was elected to Congress and made
a brilliant canvas which is still remem-
bered, driving R. 2. Linney from the
field by his burning sarcasm. He was re-
elected in 1886, 1888 and in 1890, after
which he retired to his magnificent farm
which he had bought near Wilkesboro.
He built large and comfortable home
where he dispensed old time hospitality.
During the war, his superior officers
recommended him for Brigadier General
and Governor Vance wrote a strong let
ter to the Confederate authorities at
Richmond urging his promotion, but the
war was drawing to close and the pro-
motion did not come to him, though he
had for conspicuous bravery been pro.
noted from private to colonel. When war
was declared with Spain some of his old
comrades in arms urged him to accept
Brigadier Generalship, but he said, No,
Signature ssaas sas ZWzZE--