The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1912-06-20
PICKENS BOYS
AS "CONFEDS''

Experiences and Record of Gu
Own Men in the War.
From time to time The Senti
mel desires to give it's readers
brief story of the trials. exper
fences, conflicts and victories O
the men who helped to make tn
history of the South in the wa,
between the States. We cal
upon any and all to find some
old soldier and write the story
of his life during the great
struggle and send it to us fol
publication. If no one will Dc
this it will be a pleasure to the
editor to do the writing for any
old soldier who will come te
this Office.
This week we are delighted to
give a short story OF the career
of one who is known to almost
every citizen in the county.
This sketch was prepared by
his daughter. Miss Florence
Bowen, at the request Of the
local chapter U. D. G.. and con-
stitutes a part of their records.
ROBERT A. BOWEN.
In Oct. 1861 Robert A. Bowen,
at the age Of II, left his home,
which was situated near the
foot of CLASSY Mountain, to 20
to the battle front. His blood
was bounding with the quick
throb Of war and with the eyes
of youth he saw nothing but
crowning laurels of victory
ahead. There was no sadness in
that home when this young man
went forth to fight for his coun
try, they were glad to have him
90. His father was too old to
enter service, but two sons had
already gone ahead and now
that the third was gone their
hearts swelled with pride that
they had three sons defending
their own loved Southland.
My father was mustered into
service at Old Pickensville- He
went from there to Sullivan's
Island where they remained
several months, then on to
Richmond and were stationed
there me month before entering
seN e, They did no actual fight
ing until the battle of Frazier's
Farm, This Brigade was the
first to open fire, it was a fierce
battle. causing great slaughter
among our men. My father
was struck by a bomb shell,
which completely destroyed his
gun and severely wounded his
right hand. Here he was in the
midst of a fearful battle with no
weapon with which to fight and
his hand torn and bleeding, but
he was not ready to give I'D. 1t
has been told me by one of his
comrades that he walked up
and down the line of men urg-
ing them on and begging them
not to give back, but pretty soon
they were compelled to retreat
as the enemy had turned their
batteries broadside and were
simply moving our men down.
AS they moved back a lbal]
struck my father in the hip
which felled him to the ground.
He managed to get up, seeing a
house near by anu believing
himself seriously wounded he
went to the rear Of it, finding a
cellar door open he crept in, lay
down and was not able to move
again, This cellar was full OF
men, some wounded, some dy'
ing, and some just towards hid
ing from shot and shell, some
Yankees were among them too,
All the afternoon he lay suf'
fering agonies, and not knowing
the extent of his injuries, hi
could hear the mighty roar Of
battle outside and at one time
he knew that the northern army
was between him and his friend: FEle
but they were repulsed about
might and driven from the field
thus making the South victo
rious,
Col. R. E. Bowen was Captain
Of my fathers company at tina
time. At the close of the battle
he went over the field hunting
a1o5 mon ha w011 Ia