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William J. Cowles served in Co. B, 3rd Iowa Cavalry. He was killed in the Battle of Pea
Ridge, Ark., of March 1862, and scalped by the Indians.Civil War Veteran
Pvt. William S Cowles of West Point, Iowa, enlisted in Company B of the 3rd Iowa Cavalry (Union Army) Aug 30, 1861 at the age 20. He was killed in action at the Battle of Pea Ridge. His grandfather, Rev. Salmon Cowles of West Point, Iowa described his death in a letter, telling that William fell while "fighting his way, with part of his Regiment through the Texan Rangers and Indians, by whom they were surrounded. He first had a finger shot off, and then his horse shot under him, after which he had no way of escape, but was soon shot down." After his death, William Cowles was among some 8 federal soldiers scalped and 17 others mutilated by Cherokee Indians fighting under Confederate General Albert Pike.
As a result of these atrocities Albert Pike resigned his army commission. William Cowles was the first of two of Reverend Cowles grandsons to die for the Union cause. Perhaps Rev. Cowles was thinking of William when he wrote,"I do not know what are God's designs by such terrible judgments ..."
Bill Miner gives John's birth date as 5 June 1824.
Farmed in Louisa County, Iowa.
Unmarried.
Bill Miner gives the death date as 6 Dec 1875.
Bill Miner gives the death date as Oct 1903.
Thomas md (2) 26 Mar 1876 Mrs. Lyde Lessinger, and had three daughters.
Henry served in the Civil War, Nov 1861 to Oct 1862.
Bill Miner gives the last name as "Neil."
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Mary E. Cowels nver married.