Thomas Wentworth Higginson, Harvard Memorial Biographies

---

[265] Mill, who was his favorite among all the writers of the day; but partial sickness and the pressing emergencies of the career which he had just chosen led to his being excuse from the performance of his part.

When the Class of 1862 graduated, the war between the North and South was at its height. In common with most young men connected with the University, Bowman felt the strongest desire to give all his energies to the cause of the Federal government. From the moment hostilities began, he had earnestly wished to enlist in any capacity in which he might be useful to the cause of the Union, and only the urgent solicitations of his mother and the advice of his instructors prevailed upon him to forego his intention. But upon graduation, having obtained the reluctant consent of his parents, he determined to carry into execution the plan which he had long before formed. His own wish was to enter the land service; but this inclination he also waived in deference to the entreaties of his dearest friend, and so applied for admission into the navy, where it seemed his position would be one of less danger to himself, and perhaps of equal benefit to the cause which he espoused. Accordingly, upon the recommendation of Hon. A. H. Rice, a Representative in Congress from Massachusetts, and a personal friend and relative, he was appointed to the post of Acting Assistant Paymaster in the navy, and was shipped in the steam sloop-of-war Kittatinny in September, 1862, for service in the Gulf of Mexico.

From the time he entered the service until his death, two years after, he was almost constantly on duty, and always proved himself efficient. He was respected by all who knew him, and beloved by all his friends. Though his position in the service was not conspicuous, yet he never was found wanting when physical courage was required. In the autumn of 1863 he was in many notable engagements. He took part in the movements at Brazos Santiago and on the Rio Grande; in the capture of the works at Aranzas Pass and those of Port Cavallo on Matagorda Bay; and, later, in the attacks upon Fort Morgan and Fort Gaines in Mobile Bay. It was shortly