Capt. (apparently he assumed this promotion himself after the war) Robert Letcher Bowles, C.S.A. [Robert Letcher, Jesse, Capt. David, John] was born October 22, 1832 in Bourbon County, Kentucky and died 1906 in Palmyra, Marion County, Missouri. He married Katherine "Kate" Stribling, December 1888 in Virginia City, Cass County, ILLinois.

Notes for Capt. Robert L. Bowles, C.S.A.:

Robert L. Bowles was reared on a farm in his native State (Kentucky) and remained at home assisting in the farm work and attending school as the opportunity offered until twenty yeears of age. He then started out for himself and engaged to drive stock to various markets for which he received $15.00 per month. He ontinued in this employment for five years his wages being increased from time to time, until he received $150.00 per month and expenses. When about twenty-six years of age he commenced buying and shipping stock on his own account in which business in which business he continued till 1861. He was at Macon, Georgia when the first gun fired at Ft. Sumter. Returning home in 1862, he enlisted in Co. B of W.C.P. Breckinridge's Battalion which became attached to the command of John Hunt Morgan. In 1863 Breckinridge's Battalion was consolidated with Robert G. Stoner's Battalion and formed the 9th Ninth Kentucky under command of Col. W.C.P. Breckinridge. When the two battalions were consolidated the company of Robert L. Bowles, who was then 2nd Lt. was promted to be 1st Lt. which position he held until his discharge in 1865.

On the close of the war Lt. Bowles engaged in his usual budiness in Kentucky and continued in the same in 1873 when he came direct to Palmyra, Missouri where he had formerly bought land and has since resided here and been engaged in the stock and other business. He became one of the Directors of the First National Bank in 1885 and was elected President of the same in 1892. The bank has a captal of $60,000. J. W. Proctor is Cashier.

Mr. Bowles is a member of Marion Lodge, No. 31, I.O.O.F. and has filled all the chairs in the same. He is the largest land owner in the county and has now about 5,000 acres of land in Marion County. He has about six hundred acres in corn at this time (summer 1895). He is still engaged in the stock business, handling from 150 to 200 head of cattle yearly. Success has crowned his efforts in life and all that he has was secured by good management and carefull attention to the details of his business. His credit has always been A No. 1 and his word as good as his bond.
SCOURCE: "Portrait and Biographical Record of Marion, Ralls, and Pike Counties, Missouri", 1895, pgs. 171-172.

1860 Federal Census of Bourbon Co., Kentucky, Robert L. Bowles is listed on page number 659 in the Eastern Division.

He is buried in the Palmyra Cemetery, Marion County, Missouri - very large stone.

His died when he was trampled by his team of horses after falling out of his wagon. He was so badly mangled he didn't survive but a few days.