(Contributed by Rich Perra from: "The Civil War Years: A Day by Day Chronicle Of The Life Of A Nation", Edward E. Denney ; p. 214-219 Sterling Publishing Co., New York, N. Y. Rich notes that Denny acknowledges the Eldon "Josh" Billings Diary Collection, which is found in the Virginia Tech library. Does anyone know where Jonathan Stowe is buried?) |
Diary Entries Sept. 17, 1862 - Sept. 29, 1862
Sept. 17 (Weds.) Battle, Oh horrid battle. What sights I have seen. I am wounded! And am afraid shall be again as shells fly past me every few seconds carrying away limbs from the trees...... Am in severe pain. How the shells fly. I do sincerely hope I shall not be wounded again. Sept. 18 (Thurs.) Sept. 19 (Fri.) Sept. 20th (Sat.) |
Sept. 21st (Sun.) Very weak and sore..... Hot weather by day cool at night. Hard to get nurses. Men come in and stare at us but detailed men clear out & leave us. How pitiously do they beg for water. People come in from all parts of the country. Stare at us but do not find time to do anything. Sept. 22nd (Mon.) Sept 23rd (Tues.) Sept. 25th (Thurs.) Sept.26th (Fri.) |
Sept. 27th (Sat) Commence taking Brandy none too soon. Dr. tells me I am dangerously ill and must take his prescription in order to change condition of blood. He is earnest & too good a man. Mr. L. Sloan a kind hearted chaplain telegraphs for me. Suffer continuously from position in bed. Have to elevate my stump to prevent bleeding and be very still. Sept. 28th (Sun.) Sept 29th (Mon.) |
At 7:54 that evening, Stowe sent a telegram
to J. W. Stowe as follows: "Dangerously wounded at Hoffmans hospital near Sharpsburg. Come instantly." |
It was too late. Jonathan Stowe died on October 1 from his wound and amputation. He had lain on the battle field for a day without food or water and was then taken to the Nicodemus farm by Confederates where he stayed another day without medical treatment. The cumulative effects were too much. He was 30 years old.