Cowan, Andrew (fl. 1861-1887) to Henry Jackson Hunt
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02382.107 Author/Creator: Cowan, Andrew (fl. 1861-1887) Place Written: Louisville, Kentucky Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 20 July 1887 Pagination: 10 p. ; 20 x 25 cm. Order a Copy
Cowan discusses an article on the Battle of Gettysburg Hunt previously wrote for Century Magazine. Discusses the battle in great detail, feeling that his battery's service has continually been overlooked by historians. Remarks, "I cannot be blamed for feeling but had my Battery been of the Second Corps instead of the 6th it would not have met with such want of Official recognition by the Officers of that Corps... I am, as I say, forced to ask if it is not fair and right to recognize our service properly by stating that Browns Rhode Island Battery becoming wholly crippled under the Artillery fire was withdrawn and replaced by Cowans Battery... we were in the whole of the fight, and were not a reserve battery simply brought in at the last moment as is inferred from your allusion to us..."
Hunt had served as Chief of Artillery for the Army of the Potomac. After the Civil War, he occupied various military posts, including that of Governor of the Soldier's Home in Washington, D.C. from 1883 until his death. Cowan served in the First New York Independent Battery of Light Artillery, Sixth Corps, Army of the Potomac during the Civil War. The Century Magazine was first published in the United States in 1881 by The Century Company of New York City as a successor to Scribner's Monthly Magazine. It ceased publication in 1930.
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