His Oath of Allegience was signed by his mark (X) at Nashville, TN April 1865. His name appears on the Oath as John Bowsell Company K 29 Tenn. Inf. His residence is given as Sullivan, Tenn., which where John Bowser is found in 1860 and after the war in 1870. I found no other soldier in the 29th that is a better match for this card than John Bowser of Company K. On the remarks section of his Oath, it states "Deserted at Dalton, Ga. Dec. 28 / 64. Sent North."
Its his Oath, so surely that remark was from him.
Now, here's what confuses me....
The next and last card on file has his name and unit correct, John Bowser Company K 29 Tenn. Inf.
This card is a Register for Way Hospital Meridian, Miss.
Date admitted, February 4, 1865.
Complaint, pneumonia.
I thought Way Hospital in Meridian was still under Confederate authority in February 1865. I posted the question on the Mississippi board, but have not gotten a response, yet.
The dates on theses two cards seem to indicate that he deserted from Confederate to Union forces in late December 1864, got pneumonia and was sent to a Confederate hospital (which I think was still under confederate authority) in February 1865, was subsequently discharged from the hospital and ended up in Nashville, Tenn in April 1865, back under Union forces, where he signed his Oath.......thoughts?
Barry