I believe that Maj. Edward R. Bowen is a lead to find the "source" of my Bowen line. I have nots that were passed down the family and one stated that during the Civil War, a Maj. Bowen was in Brandy Station, Culpeper Co., VA. It also states that Maj. Bowen was the son of the brother of James Bowen of Brandy. Well, James Bowen of Brandy is one of my paternal 3g-grandfathers! I have been trying to determine who James' parents were (I have been advised it is a John Bowen, but no real proof has been presented). I have done quite a bit of research on the CW and who was in that area of Culpeper Co. and the only Maj. Bowen that I can find at all was Edward R. Bowen, who commanded the PA 114th Vol. Inf. (aka Collis' Zouaves D'Afrique). Other citations have him originally listed as a Capt. in Co. B, then taking over command as a Major when another officer was injured. I have just identified his pension record number and I am sending an app for his file to the NARA. I have also found that he is buried [06 April 1908]at the Cemetery at the Church of the Redeemer in Bryn Mawr, Montgomery Co., PA. Hence my post to this site.

The 114th was mustered in Phila. in 1862. I was able to actually locate a publication where Maj. Bowen wrotes reports to his commanders regarding his regiment's skirmishes and casualties. Here is a portion:

From: Title: The war of the rebellion: a compilation of the official records of the Union and Confederate armies. / Series 1 - Volume 29 (Part I) Author: United States. War Department, United States Record and Pension Office, United States. War Office Records, et al.
Publisher: Govt. Print. Off. Publication Date: 1890
City: Washington Pages: 1172 page images; Pages 756/7:

""No. 50

Report of Major Edward R. Bowen, One hundred and fourteeth Pennsylvania
Infantry.

Hdqrs. 114th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, Brandy Station, O. and A. R.
R., Va., December 6, 1863.

Lieutenant: I have the honor to report the part taken by my regiment during the recent operations south of the Rapidan.
On the morning of the 26th ultimo, the regiment marched with the brigade to which it is attached to Jacobs' Mills, on the Rapidan, at which place it crossed on a pontoon bridge and bivouacked for the night on the south bank
of the river. In the morning, 27th ultimo, we again marched and toward noon heard considerable skirmishing in front. About 2 p.m., when we moved forward after having halted for a couple of hours....I am happy to be able to report no casualties in my regiment during the
short campaign, and am, lieutenant,

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

E. R. Bowen,

Major, Commanding 114th Pennsylvania Volunteers."

If I can determine his father, I will then have the brother to my James and more information to lead me back where my Bowens may have immigrated (I believe they were originally from Wales, of course, but don't want to assume even that).

If anyone has info on this family, I would love to correspond with you. I maintain a backup email address in case I change ISPs: kbowen@hotmail.com

If anyon has access to the cemetery he's buried at, I would love to have a photo of his gravesiet and I will gladly reinburse expenses for one!