Anne Eliza Bowman

[CSA Today]

"Anne Eliza Bowman, born on Christmas Day of
1812, was taken by her parents to Natchez, Miss., in
1814, her father buying- the Light House property on
the upper bluff. On August 20, 1835, Miss Bowman
became the wife of Andrew L. Wilson, who had come
from Washington County, Penn.

Although Northern born and married to a Northern
man, Mrs. Wilson espoused the cause of the
South and was zealously devoted to it to the end.
Her beautiful home-"Rosalie"-was taken for
headquarters of Federal Commanders; it was oc-.
cupied by Generals Ransom, Gresham, Grant and
Crocker. General Tuttle had Mrs. Wilson imprisoned
for ten days and then banished her. She went
to Atlanta, Ga., and joined the family of her former
neighbors, General C. G. Dahlgren, but soon she
engaged in active nursing, in hospitals, where until
the war closed. She did much of this service in her
own State Capital and at Natchez. Testimonials
come from many sources in her praise.

Her exploits in behalf of the
Confederate soldier startle the imagination even at
this late day. Having no children of her own, her
maternal feelings were constantly exercised in caring-
for orphans. General Grant and his family came
to her home immediately after the siege of Vicksburg
and remained there for several days. One day
his little boy said to his mother: ' If these people are
such rebels why is it that they have the United States
flag over them?' and she, not desiring- to wound
the feelings of those about them, said: ' It is not over
them, but is beneath them,' (on the lower gallery).
From the beginning Mrs. Wilson took an active part
in behalf of the Southern cause, giving her time and
liberally of her means, and by her zeal she inspired
others.

She and Mrs. Izod went to Jackson and,
with assistance, fitted up the Blind Asylum as a
hospital. They remained there for several months,
caring for the sick and wounded. On their return
to Natchez, the Marine Hospital was fitted up for
the same purpose, and they spent a considerable
time there in efficient service. So true was her devotion
to the boys in gray that after their death she
continued to care for their graves, until she, too,
crossed 'over the river to rest beneath the shade of
the trees.' She was an 'Honorary Member' of
Camp No. 20, U. C. V., and the Veterans of Natchez
paid tribute of affection and gratitude by attending
her funeral in a body."

As annually returns the day
for decorating the graves of the Confederate dead,
her grave, too, is spread with these mute emblems
of combined sorrow and love. For more than thirty
years she was one of the managers of the Protestant
Orphan Asylum, and until her death she was one of
the most public spirited women in Natchez, always
ready to lend a helping hand in any good work.
Confederate Veteran
Volume # V No 1
1897
http://www.rosaliemansion.com/history.html

 

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