The following letter was written by Sergeant Freeman Hawkins Bowron (1839-1910) of Champlain who enlisted at the age of 22 in Co. H, 11th New York Cavalry in March 1862. The 11th New York Cavalry was nicknamed “Scott’s Nine Hundred” or “First United States Cavalry.” He worked his way up in rank to 1st Sergeant before accepting a commission as 2nd Lieutenant. After the war he married Clara A. Earle (1849-1923) and settled in Geneva, Kane county, Illinois.

Freeman was the son of Joseph and Jane Bowron of Champlain, New York.

T R A N S C R I P T I O N

Muddy Branch, Maryland
January 18, 1864

Dear Brother,

I now take my pen in hand to write a few lines to you in answer to yours of the 12th which I received in due course of mail. I was happy to hear that you were well as this leaves me at present. There is nothing going on here at present. It has rained most of the day but I have been playing Euchre most of the day so I have not been troubled much with the rain. We generally pass off the lonely days playing the game.

Ben, I cannot enlist until the 5th of March. By that time you will have concluded what you are going to do. Get on a store of goods if possible and we will show John that he is not Almighty. Ben, I do not see how you can take so much from him as you do. I could not. But you may be in the right of it. It was a damn mean trick in him but never mind. Get started and I will be there to help you I think. Then we will see how much he has made by acting as he has done. According to the present prospect, I do not think that I shall reenlist when my two years are up. It depends altogether on what kind of a chance is offered.

When I entered the service, there was no large bounty offered as an inducement to volunteers. So I think that if I reenlist, it will be at the time that there is the largest bounty being paid and not leave a blot upon my patriotism by doing so. At present, those of this regiment who reenlist get only the government bounty which is $400. We get no state bounty as we are U. S. Volunteers and on the same ground as Regulars. New York nor any other state having men in this regiment cannot count them on their quota. I do not say that I shall not reenlist at the expiration of my term, for at that time or even before there may be such inducements offered as would make it best for me to do so. But I think very favorable of what you propose doing and unless there is something extraordinary happens, I will be with you and glad of the chance.

I hear from Sy Moor every week. He was well when he last wrote. Ben, have you seen that Soldiers Memorial that I sent to Father? If so, what do you think of it? What has been done with my colt? This paper is as greasy as hell.

Well, Ben, I have not got any more to say as the Boy said when he got up in the morning and found the sheets rather moist. So I will draw to a close by hoping to hear from you very soon. From your loving brother, — F. H. Bowron, 1st Sergt., Co. H, Scotts 900.