Civil War Rifle
Name/Title
Civil War RifleEntry/Object ID
2023.03.001Description
Sharps (U.S.) Model 1859 Lever-Action Falling-Block Percussion Rifle (single-shot / breech-loading / black powder / cartridge ammunition). This example has a 30 inch barrel retained by three barrel bands. Serial Number: 43778Context
This rifle was owned by fallen Civil War soldier Martin Remington Bowen who was born in Weedsport, New York, in 1837 to Anson Bowen and Almira Remington. He married Harriet L. Booth in 1862. Harriet was born in Stafford, New York, in 1840, the daughter of Hezekiah Booth and Eliza Shedd. On August 20, 1862, at the age of twenty-four Martin left his new bride at home and volunteered to fight for the Union army during the Civil War. He joined the newly formed 151st New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment, Company A, in which the Commander was Hezekiah Bowen. Hezekiah was Martin’s second cousin on the Bowen side, Hezekiah’s wife being Martin’s mother’s sister. The 151st was comprised of men from small towns in Western New York. It was not uncommon for a soldier to have family members and friends with him, and there were many connections in the 151st as the soldiers came from the same region. A large contingency of Company A was made up of the sons of prosperous farmers. Helena Howell, a young relative of Martin and Hezekiah wrote, “it was composed of American born boys, having had good advantages and education, mostly sons of well to do farmers. It was dubbed the ‘top buggy company’ in view of so many being able to take young ladies out in top-buggies." Each soldier in the Company was responsible for purchasing their own firearm. “After all the discussion, each member of the company bought his own Sharps rifle, paying $40.00 for it. These rifles were to make them the best equipped company in the Regiment.” This is the rifle that Martin would carry with him and after his death it was returned to his widow, most likely delivered by Hezekiah Bowen as he had possession of his effects. Martin Remington Bowen would not be going home. He died in the Battle of Cold Harbor on June 1, 1864. His wife Harriet was left a widow. They did not have children, she remained near her hometown of Stafford never remarrying, and she outlived him by almost 50 years. Martin’s rifle, the death notice, and his enrollment papers were passed on through the Booth family via Harriet’s sister’s family. Martin’s great-great-nephew, Jeffery Waterman donated these items to the GCV&M in 2023. One hundred and sixty years after Martin fell on the battlefield at Cold Harbor his story can still be told, and his sacrifice will not be forgotten.Collection
Genesee Country Village and MuseumCategory
Firearms