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To the memory of Charles Wesley BOWLING, born August 6th,
1839 in Ward's Cove, Tazewell County, Virginia, died at Norton, Wise
county, Jan. 16th 1912, aged 72 years and five months. United in
marriage to Margaret L. YOUNG, daughter of Samuel YOUNG of Ward's Cove,
in the year 1872, and together they were permitted to live, sharing each
other's joys, helping each other in cares and trails, many long and
useful years. To their union there were born five children, four living
one having died in youth. The living children are: Ida, Ella, and May;
one son William Terry BOWLING, all of whom reside at Norton, Va. The
passing of this quite, good citizen was lamented by a wide circle of
friends, for he, no doubt, had as many friends and few enemies, as any
citizen who ever lived in Tazewell to the good age of three score and
ten years. His manner was at all times pleasing, his address courtly,
his conversation interesting, his character pure, his life and open
book. As a husband and father, he was patient, tender and affectionate.
As a neighbor, none better. Perhaps the most beautiful tribute that
could be paid to his memory would come from his life long neighbors.
They better than any one else could testify as to his genuine traits of
character. In sickness or in health, in sunshine or in storm, he was
always ready to respond to the call of a neighbor in need of help. When
the call of the early sixties came from his southland he was among the
first of Tazewell county's sons to volunteer and to lay his life on the
altar of his country. He joined the immortal 4th, regiment that went out
from Tazewell county, and was one among the bravest of the brave, of
that band whose record for daring and brilliancy will shine through the
ages. Alongside of the gallant colonel Edwin HARMAN and Colonel William
BROWN, both distinguished leaders of the 45th, he fought in every battle
in which it was engaged, save one. As a tribute to the chivalry of these
two leaders of the 45th, Brown-Harman monument now stands at Tazewell,
erected in their memory by the surviving veterans of the county. During
the last days of his illness the mind of the brave private, Charles W.
BOWLING seemed to dwell upon the heroes of many battles, at one time
calling the name of that illustrious cavalier, Gen. John B. GORDON, at
another asking about the passing of the great hero of the seas, Robley
D. EVANS. Thus, he passed over the river to rest "under the shad of the
trees" and to join his comrades of the hundred battle fields, on the
eternal camping ground. T.F.S.
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