The Mississippi in the Civil War Message Board

Re: Greenville AL train wreck
In Response To: Re: Greenville AL train wreck ()

This is I could find. I also have a file that I will try to find. A review of these men's records should help.

Ron Skellie

Greenville Al accident Sept 1863

http://www.geocities.com/Athens/1088/cwar.html

Cowans In The Civil War

Background

Probably, the most devastating conflict that can befall mankind is that of a civil war. A war between different countries, which pits, ideologies or ethnic groups against each other on a large scale, doesn't usually split communities or other small social groups, which are the mainstay of civilization. Civil wars can destroy the very foundations of a society. It can split communities and even families to the extent that they can never fully recover.

The United States Civil War was a prime example where, especially in the south, social groups down to the family level were divided and destroyed. There were many cases where fathers and sons and even brothers were fighting against each other.

A very large number of soldiers in the war died of malnutrition and disease. Proper food was almost nonexistant and long forced marches were common. Battle field sanitation was unavailable, and the forts were constantly undegoing various epidemics.

Another large toll was taken by accidents. As in any war situation, people and machinery are pushed to the limits. Troops were frequently moved by overcrowded trains and boats, often at night with no lights. Thousands were killed by wrecks, sinkings and explosions.

It is doubtful if any other war in history ever lost so many of it's participants to non combat casualties.

Cowan Sons in the Civil War

No record has been found of John Glover Cowen (see Cowans in Geneva County, Alabama) serving in the war in any way.
He was 56 years of age at the beginning of the war and probably too old for an active combat role, but it is still possible he served in one of many ways that never showed up in any records. Frequently, other family members, even wives and mothers,would follow the units and help with support duties.

Our John Glover Cowen would have been an excellent support person, due to his life of road and bridge construction and
being a minister and a farmer. The bedraggled Confederate units certainly had need of all these.

Recorded or not, John Glover Cowen certainly did support the Confederacy. Three of his sons and three sons-in-law were in the war and saw duty and death in various parts of the country. John was married to Mary (Willingham or Cooper).

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Camp Pollard Alabama

Camp Pollard was located at Pollard, Alabama, about 70 miles north of Mobile, on the railroad to Montgomery. It was very near the current city of Brewton, Alabama. Nothing remains today and the area has reverted to a pine forest. About half way between Camp Pollard and Montgomery, on the same railroad, was Greenville, Alabama. These three places played a very important role in the Cowan's involvement in the war. Books are written concerning this camp and it's mission and this will not
be discussed here. One noteworthy event will be mentioned, and is supplied by Donald Norris Esq. of Boston, Massachusetts:

In early September, 1863, a troop train left Camp Pollard, bound for Montgomery. On board apparently were two or more of John and Mary Cowen's family. This train collided with a southbound train, while both were running at night with no lights. It is not known how many died outright and how many died later in a makeshift hospital miles away. Many are known to be buried near Greenville, AL in unmarked graves.

George W. Cowan

George was the first of John and Mary Cowan's Children. His marital status and children are unknown. He enlisted as a Pvt. In Company G of the 57th Regiment of the Alabama Infantry on March 12, 1863, in Coffee County Alabama. This could have occurred in the area that was to soon become Geneva County. He was sworn in by Captain Jesse Oneal and was never paid or issued a uniform.

George was stationed at Camp Pollard and died on October 5th, 1863 in Greenville, Alabama, most likely as a result of the train wreck. He only survived about six months after enlisting, and had thirteen dollars at death. He is assumed buried in the mass grave near Greenville.

Issac Strickland

Issac was the husband of John and Mary Cowen's second child, Narcissa. Having grown up near each other, they married and had 5 children. Issac enlisted in The 57th Alabama Infantry at Troy, Alabama, and was sworn in by Lt. Yelverton, on March 16,1863. He was stationed at Camp Lee and was on the ill-fated train. He died on September 2, 1863 and is assumed buried near Greenville in the mass grave.

Joshua L. W. Cowan

Joshua was the sixth child of John and Mary Cowen. He enlisted in Coffee County, Alabama on March 12,1863 and was
sworn in by Captain Oneal. He left his pregnant wife, Mary at home and also enlisted in Company G of the 57th regiment of Alabama Infantry. It is not for certain if he was involved in the train wreck, but earlier he was left in a Montgomery, Alabama hospital. No further records are found as to his discharge date, however he enlisted for three years or until the end of the war. Joshua obviously survived the war, for beginning in 1867, he and Mary raised a large family and was very active in the Geneva,
Alabama area.

Samuel Jesse Cowan

Samuel was the fourth child of John and Mary Cowen. He was married to Mary ?, who was pregnant when he enlisted. A son,Samuel Jesse Cowan Jr. was born three months later. It is not known if he ever saw his son. He enlisted in Coffee County, Alabama on March 12, 1863 in the same Co. G of Alabama Infantry, the same as all his kin, and was sworn in by Captain Oneil. Samuel's is an especially tragic story and typical of many from this war.

The next mention of him in the war finds him in ShoeBootie, (probably current Shubuta), Missippi, in the hospital recovering from an unnamed sickness. This was July 20th, 1863. He apparently recovers and next shows up in the Battle of Nashville, where he is captured on December 16, 1864 and shipped to a military prison in Louisville, Kentucky. He was removed from there on January 6th, 1864 to Camp. Chase, Ohio. Here he died and is buried in a marked grave in the cemetery there.

John Alfred Leddon

John Alfred Leddon was married to John and Mary Cowen's daughter, Mary Elizabeth. She is found living at the Cowen home after the war with several children. John enlisted in the same 57th Alabama Infantry unit as all the above. This occurred in Coffee County, Alabama on March 10, 1863. He was sworn in by the same Captain Oneal. John Alfred died April 28, 1863. He was in the war for only 6 weeks and never paid or issued a uniform. He left four children at home. His burial place is unknown.

George W. Leddon

George W. Leddon was in the same 57th. Alabama Infantry as all the previously mentioned Cowans and Leddons. He enlisted on March 10, 1863 in Coffee County, Alabama and was sworn in by Captain Oneal. There are records of him being paid and issued a uniform. After the war, He married Mary, the widow of his friend, Samuel Jesse Cowan, who died in Camp Chase Ohio. He raised Samuel Jesse Cowan as his own and with Mary produced a large family.

Please send any comments to:

John Cowan, (850) 763-4855

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