Large Portrait of Major General Wendell Phillips Bowman. – SOLD

Description

Large Portrait of Major General Wendell Phillips Bowman.  (1847 – 1928).

Bowman was underaged at the beginning of the Civil War, but would become a drummer boy for the Byberry Guards, a militia unit in his home town. At 15, he entered service with the 44th Penn. Volunteer Infantry, a state reserve unit, which was called into service at the time of the Gettysburg campaign, and saw some limited service there. In July of 1864, Bowman enlisted into the 197th PA. Infantry as corporal in July of 1864, and was discharged in November for disability. Some sources state he joined an Iowa unit before being discharged again.  His illness resulted in the use of crutches, and other complications which bothered him until 1874.

After the Rebellion, Bowman studied law and practiced in Philadelphia.  All the time he was active in G.A.R. events, and would attain higher position within the Pennsylvania National guard, first acting as Judge Advocate General, and then in 1877, served with the 20th Pa. Infantry, which was raised to deal with labor unrest during the Great Railroad Strike of that year.  The next year he was promoted to captain in Co. H. of the state’s 1st Infantry, and would advance to the rank of  colonel of that regiment by 1887.

During the Spanish American War, Bowman and his regiment were mustered into federal service, and during training he was seriously injured, and was forced to give up command and returned to the state. Prior to his regiment leaving Cuba, the war had ended and Bowman rejoined with them at camp in Tennessee.  He became a brigadier general of the 1st Brigade, NGP in 1907, and two years later was promoted to major general of a guard division (which became later the 28th Infantry Division). Bowman retired in 1910, about the time this photograph portrait was taken.

Wearing his full dress uniform, pattern 1902, Bowman wore all of his medals, badges, etc, and boldly signed below the image, “With the sincere regard of Wendell Phillips Bowman, Major General, N.G.P.  8- 30 -10.”

The photographer is Marceau of Philadelphia, in his blind stamp just below the lower right of the image.  The framing was done in Gettysburg, Pa, some 15-20 years ago, and the glass was broken and removed. (no glass).

The image is a bit light, but clear, and would be fine for reproduction.