| POSTMASTER BOWEN His Death at Millbury -- an interesting story of his army life. Roland Edwin Bowen, for many years postmaster at Millbury, died Sunday, in his 46th year, from consumption. The news will be received with a feeling of deepest regret and sadness throughout the entire town and among his large circle of friends elsewhere. Stricken with the fatal disease some years ago he has gradually failed. Many men would doubtless have succumbed long ago, and the continuation of his life so long is attributable to the constant exertion of an indomitable will power. He was able to perform the duties of his office until about two months ago, since which time he has been confined to the house. He was appointed postmaster soon after the close of the war, and has held the position without opposition a period of 16 years, during which the business of the office has constantly increased, and the requirements of the position have always been discharged with a rare degree of efficiency, which has won the cordial approval of the public and department. He took an active part in the last rebellion, enlisting in company B of the 15th regiment, and for three years, with the exception of the time passed in the hands of the enemy, shared in the fortunes of that memorable organization. His career as a soldier was a very remarkable one, and could the full details be obtained, it would form an interesting book of many pages. He was present at Ball's Bluff, and with hundres of others was driven over the bluffs to the river bank, he succeding in concealing himself beneith the bank, whre he remained until night, when, under cover of the darkness, being an expert swimmer, he succeeded in crossing the Potomac in safety, minus most of his clothing and weapons. He was able to save his watch, and has carried it ever since. He was twice captured, first at the battle of Gettysburg. After being held for a short time, he, with several others, made an escape, but were retaken after being on the road several days, and reteturned to the prison quarters and held until exchanged. He was taken again soon after, and again made his escape, this time while being marched with a large number of other prisoners to Andersonville. One fellow prisoner, Alvan A. Simonds, now of Dayton, Ohio, escaped with him. They contrived to slip into the woods without being noticed by the guard, and fled. Then began a journey through the mountains which nothing but the love of liberty would induce any to attempt. The story of their wanderings and adventures has already been writen by Mr. Simonds and published, and it is from the printed record that the following brief account is taken: On the 22d of June, 1864, the remnant of the 15th Massachusetts regiment was captured by Gen. Maqhoney's division. Bowen and myself found ourselves prisoners among others at Petersburg and were thence taken to Richmond to Libby prison, where we were held two days. In the meantime we were searched. I succeeded in saving most of my money, but Bowen lost nearly all. From Libby we were taken to Belle Island for three days, and then started for Andersonville, Georgia, traveling by rail to Lynchburg. Bown and I had resolved to improve any opportunity given us to escape. At Lynchburg we were given four days rations, consisting of 16 hard crackers and a small piece of bacon, this to last until we reached Danville, 70 miles out. We resoslved to escape before reaching that place. No favorable chance was offered on the first, but on the second day, at about 11 o'clock, the prisoners had got well strung out, and the head of the column halted in the road leading through a piece of woods. It being very hot and dusty, every man made for the sahde. This was an opportunity not to be lost. We slipped in to the wood in safety, and then ran for half a mile or more. After resting for a short time we started for the Blue Ridge of the Allegheny mountains, taking the sun for our guide, and traveling northwest. The second day we came suddenly upon a man dressed in gray with brass buttons on his coat and gun on his shoulder. He proved to be only out hunting, and did not molest us. Nothing of much note transpired for some days. In the meantime we lived on wheat which we had taken from a field and threshed, and some mouldy bread, making good progress all the time. We soon reached the James river, at Balcony Falls. This looked very easy to ford; but, on attempting to do so, it was found impossible, and it was not until the next day, after going up the river about a mile, that we got over at this point. Three boys were playxing in a boat, and we induced them to take us across. On July 14th we came to a neat-looking house, at which I called and found a young lady with two children; told her who I was and asked for something to eat, and she gave me bread, pie, bacon and milk, a portion of which I carried to my companyion. At our present rate of traveling we reached Harper's Ferry in ten days. We had now passed through the counties of Campbell, Bradford, Rockbridge and were now in Augusta. We left Waynesboro on our left, passed Brown Gap into Rockingham county, getting our living at log houses near the foot of the mountains, which were occupied by the poor classes, who seldom refused us food. We crossed the mountains into Green county, through Madison, back over the mountains into Page, down the valley in Warren county and on to the road leading to Chester Gap, which we soon reached and crossed into the woods. Not long after we came to the road leading to Manassas Gap. At this point we were obliged to run into the woods to avoid a squad of rebel cavalry. They did not see us, and soon passed on. The next day we passed Manassas Gap Railroad and Paris Gap. Snickers Gap was next reached and passed, but not without an adventure, for just as we were crossing the road two of Mosby's men came around the bend in the road. They saw us. We ran for the woods, the rebels putting spurs to their horses, and as they came up where we crossed the road we were in the woods up the side of the mountain. They went a pistol shot after us, and just as it whizzed past our heads I stumbled and fell. My companion thought I was wounded, and cried out we surrender. No we don't, said I, as I jumped up. We ran until exhausted and then lay down in the bushes. If the guerrillas followed us we have the satisfaction of knowqing that they had their labor for their pains. The next day we arrived at Harper's Ferry and were once more among friends. It was a happy dav for us. It was 23 days after we made our escape ..... rejoiced that we had so providentially made our escape from the horrors of southern prison. Postmaster Bown was always interested in games and sports of all kinds, particularly those of a mental character, the game of checkers being his favorite, and his skill gave him a wide reputation. In addition to the large amounts of play and positions published by him, he contributed to the checker literature of the day two entire volumes, known as Bowen Cross and Bristol, the former containing 1000 variations, and the latter some 200 each a model in its line. Their value was quickly recognized and they met with a ready sale among the players. He was a member of the local G. A. R. Post and formerly took an active part in its proceedings. The deceased was honored and respected by all who knew him, and no one would have been taken who will be more greatly missed our whose loss will be more generally mourned. He will ever be remembered as a genial companion, a courteous gentleman, a good citizen, and withal a man who represented the highest ideas of honesty, integraty and general uprightness in all things. He leaves a wife and two children. |