Researching Downeast Maine and Maritime Canada Families Together

Edward R. Bowman, Civil War Medal of Honor Recipient from Eastport, Maine

Photographs, sketch and family tree of Edward R. Bowman and wife Mary L. (Adams) Bowman. Edward R. Bowman was born on 1 January 1826 at Eastport, Maine, the son of John Lazenby Bowman and his wife Nancy (or Rebecca or Ann) Earle (according to his death record, but shown in other sources as Batson or Wilder).

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Medal of Honor Citation:
For The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Quartermaster Edward R. Bowman, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving on board the U.S.S. TICONDEROGA during attacks on Fort Fisher, North Carolina, 13 to 15 January 1865. Despite severe wounds sustained during the action Quartermaster Bowman displayed outstanding courage in the performance of duty as his ship maintained its well-placed fire upon the batteries on shore, and thereafter, as she materially lessened the power of guns on the mound which had been turned upon our assaulting columns. During this battle the flag was planted on one of the strongest fortifications possessed by the rebels.

Excerpt from the book Genealogical and Family History of the State of New Hampshire:
(VIII) Mary L., youngest child and third daughter of George and Mary (Higging) Adams, was born in Eastport, April 7, 1832; married, October 24, 1851, Edward R. Bowman, of Eastport, and died at Belmont, New Hampshire, June 2, 1890, aged fifty-two years. Edward R. Bowman, son of John Lisenby and Anne (Batson) Bowman, and grandson of Andrew Bowman, was born January I,, 1829, and died in Eastport, Maine, October 20, 1898, aged almost seventy years. By occupation he was a sea captain. He enlisted September 30, 1862, as a seaman, and served one year on the "Circassia" and the "Ossipee." October 21, 1863, he was discharged. He re-enlisted in the same year, for three years, and served as boatswain on the "Ticonderoga" and also as quartermaster. He was present December 24, 1864, at the first attack on Fort Fisher, North Carolina, where his left leg was broken. For gallantry at that attack he was awarded a medal by the government. He was discharged from the service, while in the hospital at Norfolk, Virginia, March 22, 1865. Edward R. and Mary L. (Adams) Bowman had four children: Marietta Bowman, born October 10, 1882, who married Edwin C. Bean (see Bean, VII) ; Harold A, Edward W. and George R.