George T. Bowman Papers

1883-1948
Manuscript Collection #1292
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Creator(s)
Bowman, George T., 1869-1951
Physical description
1.7 Cubic Feet, 4 archival boxes, consisting of correspondence, orders, military documents, photographs, newspaper clippings, magazine articles, maps, narratives, commentary, and a diary
Preferred Citation
George T. Bowman Papers (#1292), East Carolina Manuscript Collection, J. Y. Joyner Library, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA
Repository
ECU Manuscript Collection
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No restrictions

This archive covers the early life and long United States Army career of Brigadier General George T. Bowman (b. 1869 and d. 1951). His career included service (stateside) during the Spanish-American War with the New York 65th Volunteer Infantry, with various New York volunteer and regular Army units in the Philippines (1899-1904), in Cuba (1906-1909), with Gen. John Pershing on the Mexican border (1915-1916), during World War I (1918-1919), and in Germany after World War I ended. Included are correspondence, orders and other military documents, photographs, newspaper and magazine articles, maps, narratives and commentary by Bowman, and a diary.

Biographical/historical information

George T. Bowman was born in Buffalo, NY, on June 12, 1869. Bowman married Lillian Elizabeth Burrows on June 24, 1896, and they had one child together, John "Jack" Bowman. Bowman joined the Navy York National Guard as a Cadet and worked his way up to Captain between 1885 and 1898. Bowman was Captain of the 65th New York Volunteer Infantry during the Spanish American War. Bowman then served as Second Lieutenant and First Lieutenant of the 36th United States Volunteer Infantry during the Philippine Insurrection from 1899 to 1901. From 1901 to 1918 Bowman served in the Regular Army in a number of areas including the Philippines (1901-1904), Cuba (1906-1909), and Mexico (1915-1916). During WWI, Bowman served on the staff of General Pershing in France. Bowman graduated from the Army War College (1922) and Navy War College (1923). He was an instructor at the Army War College from 1923 to 1925. After leaving the Army War College, Bowman joined the 62nd Cavalry Division, serving as Chief of Staff from 1927 to 1933. He retired from his position as Colonel in 1933 and was promoted to Brigadier General in 1940. Bowman died on February 14, 1951, and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Scope and arrangement

This collection covers the military career of Brigadier General George Bowman (1869-1951). His service includes the 74th Regiment National Guard, 4th Provisional Battalion, New York 65th Volunteer Infantry, 2nd Calvary Division, 15th Calvary, and 36th Infantry US Volunteer. Bowman participated in several military operations including the Philippines Insurrection, the hunt for Pancho Villa along the Mexican border, Cuba occupation, and World War I. After a distinguished career in the armed services he became an instructor at the Army War College from 1923 to 1925. After retiring from the Army War College, Bowman continued his military career on the Army General Staff, eventually being promoted to Brigadier General shortly before his retirement. Included in the collection are military and personal correspondence, military orders, photographs, newspaper and magazine clippings, maps, commentary by Bowman, and a diary.

Bowman's military career started in 1888 with the New York State National Guard, Company F, 74th Reserve. During this time Bowman Participated in a number of rifle competitions, distinguishing himself as an expert marksman. Bowman also started a military journal for the 74th entitled "The Countersign." Bowman's company participated in the suppression of strikers in what would be known as the Buffalo Switchmen's Strike in 1892. Orders detail the various military camps to be established in the surrounding areas of the strike to quell the strikers. Bowman also started a number of private business ventures including a real estate company (Bowman and Smith Real Estate Insurance).

During the Spanish American War, Bowman's regiment was ordered to train and prepare to fight in Cuba. Bowman details that his regiment trained vigorously for the campaign, but before they could be sent to Cuba Spain surrendered to the United States. In one of Bowman's letters he details the frustration he and his troops felt because they would not be sent to fight for the United States.

Bowman, after recruiting 40 soldiers from Buffalo, NY, departed for the Philippines to participate in the Philippines Insurrection. Bowman was sent to the Abra Province in the northern region of the Philippines on the island of Luzon. While in the Abra Province, Bowman took photos of the Indigenous population and the villages in which he was stationed. In the collection is a detailed map of Operations of the 2nd Division, 8th Army Corp, in the Philippines in 1899. He was then transferred to Lingayen after the 1899 campaign. After the war, Bowman participated in Decoration Day in Quingua that honored the U.S. soldiers who lost their lives in the conflict. After his service in the Philippines, Bowman served with the United States Army of Cuban Pacification.

Bowman participated in the hunt for Pancho Villa on the Mexican-U.S. Border. He saved an article entitled "Chasing Villa" by Col Frank Tompkins. Bowman also kept various photos of the U.S. army in the desert region during operations against Villa.

During World War I, Bowman was sent to France with the American Expeditionary Force. He saved many orders that he received during that time. He has a detailed story of the bloodshed and loss of life that was witnessed during the war, and has a copy of a poem about the Battle of Flanders. He was awarded the Legion of Honor, one of France's highest honors.

After the war Bowman became an Instructor at the Army War College from 1923 to 1925. After leaving the Army War College, Bowman joined the 62nd Cavalry Division, serving as Chief of Staff from 1927 to 1933. He retired from his position as Colonel. Upon his retirement many of his fellow servicemen sent letters to military officials requesting that Bowman be promoted to Brigadier General for his distinguished career service. Bowman was promoted to Brigadier General in 1940.

Bowman also maintained articles relating to his personal life in this collection. Holiday cards from his wife and child are present throughout the collection. He has family photos of their time spent living at Fort Slocum. There are several photos of his son Jack including his first day of school in New Rochelle, NY.

Administrative information
Custodial History

November 23, 2016, 1.7 cubic feet; This archive covers the early life and long United States Army career of Brigadier General George T. Bowman (b. 1869 and d. 1951). His career included service (stateside) during the Spanish-American War with the New York 65th Volunteer Infantry, with various New York volunteer and regular Army units in the Philippines (1899-1904), in Cuba (1906-1909), with Gen. John Pershing on the Mexican border (1915-1916), during World War I (1918-1919), and in Germany after World War I ended. Included are correspondence, orders and other military documents, photographs, newspaper and magazine articles, maps, narratives and commentary by Bowman, and a diary. Purchased from Carmen D. Valentino Rare Books, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with state funds and Special Manuscript Funds.

Source of acquisition

Purchased from Carmen D. Valentino Rare Books

Processing information

Processing completed on November 14, 2017, by Tyler Caldwell.

Copyright notice

Literary rights to specific documents are retained by the authors or their descendants in accordance with U.S. copyright law.

Metadata Rights Declaration
Key terms
Personal Names
Bowman, George T., 1869-1951
Corporate Names
United States. Army--Officers
Topical
Generals--United States
Spanish-American War, 1898
World War, 1914-1918
Places
Mexico--History--Revolution, 1910-1920
Container list
Box 1 Folder a Church Pamphlet, Correspondence, Letters of Recommendation for Promotion, Commendations, Letter Retelling the Battle of Chaumont (1918), Article written by Bowman Entitled "Arms and the Man our Military Rifles and how to use them." 1901-1949
Box 1 Folder b Newspaper Clippings from the "Buffalo Courier," photograph of School #16 Delaware Ave. in Buffalo, NY, "Binger on the Rhine" poem, school examinations and attendance records; Letters to Bowman, Certificate of Membership into the National Guard 65 Regiment NY, Military Orders, Promotion to Corporal (1889) and to Sergeant (1890), Marksman Day Newspaper Clippings, Photographs of the 74th, officers, and Military Camp in Peekskill, NY(1889, 1891), Inspection reports (1885-1889), Honor Rolls for Officers, "The Countersign," Monthly Journal for the 74th ; Documents related to Bowman's Real Estate Business; Short Stories about Bowman written by George Gilbert; Christmas Cards. 1886-1913
Box 1 Folder c 1900 Military Orders, Bowman's Transfer to Company K, 36th Infantry, personal letters, Court Martial where Bowman is a Judge, newspaper clippings re soldiers departing for the Philippines and the Philippines Insurrection, Special Orders, Telegrams; Photographs of Binmaley Province of Pangasinan Philippines, Lingayan, and Abra Province Native Peoples, of officers and wives of the 36th Infantry, Decoration Day in Quingua Philippines, Monument to King Charles the Fourth of Spain, San Domingo Church, and Insular Cigar Factory in Manila Philippines; Letter of Acceptance to 1st Lieutenant in the 15th Calvary (1901), Orders of Appointment of Officers, History of Bowman's Military Exploits, Oath of Office into Military, Service Reports. 1902-1905
Box 1 Folder d Newspaper clippings re New Rochelle School, Bowman's Promotion to Colonel, and the Launch of Superdreadnought "New York;" Post Cards; Funeral Pamphlet for Katherine Mills Bowman; Bowman's 6 Years Report of Service; Photographs of Fort Slocum, Mess Hall, 25th Recruit and family members; List of Officers who went to the Philippines; Recruit papers for Captain Bowman. 1912
Box 1 Folder e Biographical Information on Bowman; "How to Shoot a Rifle and How to Care for it" article by Bowman; 1913 card detailing rank of Capt. Bowman; List of eligible candidates for Cavalry rifle team; Memorial service of the Military Order of the Spanish American War; Metropolitan Opera House pamphlet; photographs related to Fort Slocum; 225th Anniversary of the Huguenots at New Rochelle; Newspaper clipping of the "Imperator" ship; New Rochelle school enrollment pamphlet; Army/Navy game score with photos; 1913 notes on personal activities; orders from recruit depot; letters. 1913
Box 1 Folder f American Expeditionary Forces Special Orders; List of officers general staff; letters detailing Bowman's return to America on the SS America; Personal Report and statement of preference for Bowman. 1919
Box 2 Folder a "Bowman's service report 1906-1910; Article "Havana" by Harrison Rhodes; General orders 15th Cavalry; Photographs of 15th Calvary, Camp Perry Rifle Team 1910, rifle competition, Fort Slocum baseball team, and New Rochelle High School; letters and telegrams; Newspaper Clipping of US Navy Atlantic Fleet; Army and Navy journal clipping; Annual reunion banquet pamphlet for the 74th NGNY; Everybody Magazine Story Titled "The Golden Fish." 1906-1911
Box 2 Folder b Magazine and newspaper clippings; Newspaper clipping of Buffalo Switchman Strike and Military orders on the strike; Regiment orders; Countersign newsletter of which Bowman was a manager; letters; Photographs (especially of 4th Provisional Battalion and USS Atlanta(?) of the White Squadron); Telegram of the death of Bowman's mother; Promotion of Bowman to Captain of the 74th Regiment (1893); Bowman's wedding letters, invitations, newspaper clippings, and Honeymoon pictures at West Point; Textbook for recruits 74th Regiment; Bowman's Resignation from the 74th with Honorable Discharge. 1982-1897
Box 2 Folder c Program for graduating exercises from grammar school; University of State of NY academic scholarship examination; 74th Regiment orders; letters; Newspaper clippings of Bowman shipping out to Manila; Letters of recommendation for Bowman. 1898-1903
Box 2 Folder d Pamphlets re officer list, troop movement and photographs related to the 65th Regiment, Certificate of Capt. Bowman to 65th regiment, Special orders, Exerpt about time in training camp at Camp Black NY, Letter Telegram and newspaper clippings related to 1900 recruitment of soldiers for the Philippines, Letter of Promotion to 2nd lieutenant of 36th Infantry US Volunteer, List of soldiers Bowman recruited for the Philippines, Orders for moving out to San Francisco, Map of operations of the 2nd division, 8th Army Corp May 31, 1899 to Apr 6 1900, Orders detailing conduct on looting in the Philippines
Box 3 Folder a Military Orders, Office directory of Fort Slocum, Fort Slocum band play list, Newspaper clipping, Magazine clipping pictures of American forces in Mexico 1916, Christmas cards, Fort Leavenworth Kansas 1914 map, Mallory Steamship Company "S.S. San Jacinto" cross section, Shooting Star article, "Chasing Villa" Article by Col Frank Tompkins and telegram about troop movement. 1912-1916
Box 3 Folder b Orders and newspaper clipping. 1912
Box 3 Folder c Newspaper clippings, letters to Bowman, Pamphlet for show, General Orders, Memorandum, Letter to Headquarters, List of British officers in Washington, and Legion of Honor drawing in a Newspaper clipping. 1918-1919
Box 3 Folder d Newspaper clipping, orders about promotions, and letters to and from Bowman. 1920
Box 3 Folder e Orders, letters to and from Bowman, Newspaper clipping. 1921
Box 3 Folder f Christmas card, orders, newspaper clippings, personnel list of the Army War College 1922-1923, letters, phone number list.
Box 3 Folder g Holiday Cards, letters to and from Bowman, special orders, Williams College MA map, Army and Navy Journal newspaper clippings, Certificate for the National Geographic Society membership 1923, Personnel of Army War College where Bowman was an Instructor, List of Army Officers who attended Naval War College.
Box 3 Folder h List of Personnel at Army War College 1924-1925, Orders and letters from Bowman.
Box 3 Folder i Holiday cards, orders, letter detailing Relief of Duty from the Army War College 1925.
Box 3 Folder j Letter detailing Bowman taking command of the 2nd Cavalry, orders, holiday cards, newspaper clippings and transfer to Ft. Riley, Kansas. 1926
Box 3 Folder k Horseshow program, holiday cards, letters to Bowman, special orders, and Baltimore Sun newspaper clipping. 1927
Box 3 Folder l Holiday Cards. 1929
Box 3 Folder m Newspaper clippings, tickets to Hialeah Park, personal letters, holiday cards, special orders, letters to Bowman, "Church of Transfiguration" painting copy. 1928
Box 3 Folder n Holiday cards, newspaper clippings about Bowman, orders, letters from Bowman. 1930-1931
Box 3 Folder o Newspaper clippings, holiday cards, Fort Necessity Memorial Association pamphlet and article "A Young Colonel from Virginia," letters, orders, Order of the Boar Pamphlet for fifth annual dinner. 1932
Box 3 Folder p Letters to and from Bowman. 1933
Box 4 Folder a Efficiency Report, excerpt of Bowman's life, statement of preference for military assignment. 1930
Box 4 Folder b Newspaper clippings, holiday cards. 1934-1938
Box 4 Folder c Letters of congratulations for promotion of Bowman to Brigadier General. 1940
Box 4 Folder d Letters, blank Physical Examination papers, newspaper clipping and photograph on Bowman's retirement, and retired officers's association letter. 1933
Box 4 Folder e Newspaper clippings, casualties list 1933, holiday cards, poem on the Battle of Flanders, newspaper and magazine clippings, oath of office for lieutenant of Cavalry, and orders. 1933
Box 4 Folder f Letters about getting Bowman promoted to Brigadier General before his retirement, list of U.S. political figures, Military Affairs Committee House of Representatives list, personal notes. 1933
Box 4 Folder g Letters, special orders, Confidential Report about boarding Vessel 536 (USS Beluga?), Decommission of S.S. Aquitania orders, mileage statements, oath on being appointed colonel of Cavalry 1918, travel log in France, list of General Staff and directory of members of American Expeditionary Force, Bulletin about marksman competition, history records of Bowman. 1918-1920
Box 4 Folder h Letter detailing death of Bowman's mother, newspaper clippings, holiday cards, and service for funeral. 1914-1918
Box 4 Folder i West Point annual banquet 1949, Personal history notes. 1944-1948
Box 4 Folder j Special orders, letter about burying a friend, Southern Pacific Central Lines Map, letters to Bowman, holiday cards, telegrams, newspaper clippings, and oath of office to Major of Cavalry (1917). 1915-1917