Kitty Bowland claims her son was illegally arrested and forced into the Army

Kitty Bowland claims her son was illegally arrested and forced into the Army

Statement of Mrs. Kitty Bowland that her son was arrested and then impressed into the army by the local justice of the peace.

12/31/1864

Ellicott City, Baltimore Co, MD

Statement of a Maryland Mother


[Baltimore, Md., December 31, 1864]
Case of Kitty Bowland, fw, vs Mr Meredith a Justice of the Peace on Balto [Co?]
Statement of Kitty Bowland, fw, Vs. Mr Meredith J.P. charged with putting her son a Boy of 16 years (George Bowland) as a substitute at Ellicotts Mills. on Wednesday last Mr Meredith took the Boy, & a certain Josh Cook (cold man) stole my boy's money. Whereupon he had him arrested. Mr Meredith then charged him with being a Deserter from the army & had him conveyed to Camp Bradford. Mr Meredith refuses to give me any satisfaction, think it very hard that he should be enlisted against his will & not to give me any of the proceeds
Kitty X Bowland


[Endorsement] Head-Quarters, Middle Department,
EIGHTH ARMY CORPS.
Baltimore, Md. January 3rd 1865.
Respectfully referred to Col. Wm H. Browne A.A.QrM. Genl. Md & Del. who will please call upon the Provost Marshal at Ellicotts Mills for a report in this case.
Please return this paper. By Command of Maj. Genl Wallace
Saml B Lawrence
A.A. Genl.


[Endorsement] Office A.A.P.M.G. Md. & Del.,
Balto., Jan. 4, 1865.
Respectfully referred to Capt. Holland, Pro. Mar. 5th Dist. Md., for report.
Wm R. Browne
Col. & A.A.P.M.G.


[Endorsement] Pro. Mar. Off. 5th Dist. Md.
Ellicott's Mills, Jan. 9, 1865.
Respectfully returned to Col. Wm H. Browne, A.A. Pro. Mar. Gen. for Md. & Del. with following report. George Bowling, (col.) born in West Indies aged 20— 5 feet 8 inches high was enlisted at this office Dec. 29, 1864, as a substitute for Robert Graham a drafted man from the 1st District of Baltimore County. He was put in by Mr. Graham himself, and received two hundred and seventy dollars ($270) Very Respectfully
John C. Holland
Capt. & Pro. Mar, 5th Dist. Md.


[Endorsement] Office A.A.P.M.G. Md. & Del.,
Balto., Jan. 10, 1865.
Respectfully returned to Lt. Col. Sam'l B. Laurence, A.A.G. Mid. Dept. & 8th A.C. with reference to the report of Capt. Holland, Provost Marshal 5th Dist. Md.
Wm R. Browne
Col. & A.A.P.M. Gen.


[Endorsement] Head-Quarters, Middle Department,
EIGHTH ARMY CORPS.
Baltimore, Md. Jany 11th, 1865.
Respectfully referred to Commanding Offi[cer] Camp Bradford who will plea[se] examine this man, and return [this] paper with report and remarks. By command of Maj. Genl. Wallace
Saml B Lawrence
A.A.G


[Endorsement] Head Qrs. U.S. Draft Rendezvous.
Baltimore, Md. Jany 13" 1865.
Respectfully returned to Maj. Genl. Wallace, Commdg Middle Dept, 8th A.C. with the information that George Bowley was forwarded to Camp Birney, on the 4th day of January 1865.
G A Washburn
Lieut Col V.R.C. Commdg.


[Endorsement] Head-Quarters, Middle Department,
EIGHTH ARMY CORPS.
Baltimore, Md. Jan. 14th 1865.
Respectfully referred to Captain Butler, in charge Bureau of Recruiting Service U.S.C.T., in Baltimore City, who will please examine this man, and return this paper with report and remarks. By Command of Major Genl. Wallace
Saml B Lawrence
A.A. Genl.


[Endorsement] 24 Holiday St. Balto Md.
Jany [14?] [1865]
Respectfully returned to Maj. Genl. Wallace Comdg. Middle Department. 8th Army Corps, with the information that George Rowley was forwarded to Camp Casey near Alexandria Va. Jany. 8th 1865. By order Capt Jas Bu[tler] [. . .]


[Endorsement] Head-Quarters, Middle Department,
EIGHTH ARMY CORPS.
Baltimore, Md., Jan. 17th 1865.
Respectfully forwarded to Col. C. W. Foster, A.A. Genl., for his information and action In the absence of the Maj. Genl. Commanding
Saml B Lawrence
AAG
file


Statement of Kitty Bowland, 31 Dec. 1864, B-46 1865, Letters Received, ser. 360, Colored Troops Division, RG 94 [B-117].