| S.C. Bowman | 15th Pennsylvania Cavalry |
| by David H. Book |
S.C Bowman was once a student of the Martin Boehm Academy of Otterbein. This Academy was a form of what today would be considered a Community College for those who were unable to be admitted to Otterbein immediately. Bowman had graduated the Academy in 1861[1], probably with the intention of pursuing a degree for Otterbein. Like so many young men at the time, war would interrupt his life and force Bowman along a new path.
There was not much written about Bowman. What we know was that he was from the town of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. After graduating, Bowman would return to Pennsylvania and enlist in the 15th Pennsylvania Volunteer Calvary on August 22, 1862[2]. To be in this unit, one was picked because of their high intellect and good moral character combined with a patriotic spirit[3]. This says what type of person Bowman must have been; otherwise he would never have been permitted to be invited into such a unit.
Bowman would serve in Company D of the 15th throughout his enlistment until his discharge on February 6, 1863 due to disability[4]. During his time with the 15th PVC, the unit would serve in the battle of Antietam and occupy Tennessee.
There were no records found that Bowman ever received a pension after the war. This must mean that his disability did not come from a wound during battle. The only possibility that could have led to his discharge in February would have been that he was to ill or that he received a non-combat injury that would have prevented him from performing his duties as a soldier. Whatever the reason, the memory of soldiers like S.C Bowman must be remembered so that their sacrifice will not be forgotten.
Bibliography
[1] History Folder, Otterbein Archive, Otterbein Library.
[2] "Homepage," Ancestry.com. http://www.ancestry.com (accessed March 5, 2005).
[3] The 15th Pennsylvania Cavalry, Fred J. Anspach of Co. D, http://www.swcivilwar.com/_cw15th.html (accessed February 2, 2005).
[4] “Homepage,” Ancestry.com.