The Bolivar bulletin. (Bolivar, Tenn.) 1888-1946, 1903-01-16
GRATEFULLY REMEMBERED.

A short time prior to the holt
days, Messrs. G. E. and r. j. Har-
ris, DR.. P. III. McKinnie, of Hick-
DRY Valley, Hugh Wright, of
Salisbury, and few other friends
made up purse and expressed it
to Mr.. J. L. Bowden, an inmate of
the Confederate Soldiers Home at
Austin, Texas.
Mr.. Bowden was formerly a res
ident of Hardeman county, where
he enlisted in the Confederate SER
vice, and he proved to be one of
the bravest soldiers who followed
the fortunes of the South. He car
ries upon his body the scars of sew
en- wounds, received in battle.
The purse sent to him was in rec
ognition of the kindness shown TO
Matthew Harris, a brother of G.. E.
and r. j. Harris, who was killed at
Jonesboro, Ga. Concerning his
death, Mr.. Bowden writes:
"Soon after starting on the Geor-
gia campaign, from Dalton to At
lanta, Matthew and l pledged each
to the other not to be captured,
dead or alive, if in our power to
prevent, at the risk of life. l new
er doubted but what he would risk
his life to rescue me--but, alas it
fell to my lot to fulfill the pledge,
the last service one comrade can do
for another. Under the fire of the
enemy, he fell on a naked, exposed
ridge, after we had captured the
enemy's works. ]. could feel my
soul sink in me when l stood over
his PROSTATE form and asked if he
was shot. He looked into my face
and told me that he was killed, or a
dead boy, and asked me to tell his
old father that he died at his post
of duty, in the front of battle. /
gave him water from my canteen.
The balls were blowing up the earth
all around US. l inquired if he was
suffering. He said his foot was
paining him. The shot that caused
his death went through his body,
penetrating the bowels. He was
wounded in the foot after he fell.
Soon after reaching him, / called
for assistance, and Albert McKin-
ME, Of the infrmary corps was the
first to respond. l forget the other
one, but three of us carried him to
where there was plenty of help.
bid poor Matthew goodbye, both
knowing that we would never see
each other again in this life, with
further promise to tell his father
how he died. No drawer boy or
truer FREUD ever stepped on a bat
tie field. He was as tender-hearted
as a woman, and he would die by a
friend. l knew him under coDdi-
lions that tried men. l simply did
for my comrade what ] know he
would have done for me, had fate
been different.
II assure you that [ appreciate
your kindly present and remem-
brance. 1t further convinces me
that the Harris boys possess the
sterling qualities necessary to true
American citizenship.
"a. B. McKinnie, a brother of
DIR. McKlnnie. was another one, as
brave as Napoleon.
"My health is tolerably good.
There are about 800 in this home.
Most of the buildings are brick and
the rooms are occupied by from
three TO four men. Each has an
iron cot and bedding, stove in ev-
cry room, with plenty of coal ham
dy, also water works, electric lights
and bath tubs. We have surge
on, a hospita' and nurses. Our
dining room has capacity to accom-
modate $50, with walters and cooks
plenty. We have steam laundry,
chapel and library. Both chewing
and smoking tobacco is furnished,
in fact we have nearly everything
we need, except few conveniences
and nick-nacks the state does not
furnish but the donations of out
side friends, such as you, enable us
to procure them"
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