[source: regimental letters book]
[According to the regimental descriptive book, Bowman had been dismissed by sentence of a general court martial on 12 September 1862, and was recommissioned on 15 December 1862. That may be at least part of Bowman's history, to which Sinex refers in the second paragraph.]
[The author may be Morris Kayser, who went absent without leave about the time Bowman returned to the regiment (after having been recommissioned after his court-martial), and who later refused to serve in company B. He was court-martialed for that, and found guilty, but given an exceptionally light sentence, which may suggest that the court thought his refusal had some justification.]
Head Quarters, 91st Regt. Pa. Vols
September 14th 1863
L. Thomas
Adjutant General U.S.A.
Gen
I have the honor to make the following Report in Compliance with Orders from Secretary of War dated Sept 5th/63 relative to a communication dated Philadelphia Aug. 31st /63 signed "J. Burnside" charging A. H. Bowman Captain Co. "B" 91st P.V. with disgraceful conduct.
The Author of the communication referred to, evidently knew all the Circumstances connected with Capt. Bowmans [sic] history in the Regt, and the sweeping denunciations, without stating some specific act, evinces a malicious intention to fasten disgrace on a Brother Officer, without producing some evidence, that the accuser himself is reliable, by failing to locate his address in Philadelphia and omitting to make some specific Charge.
By a close examination of this paper, it is found to give evidence of a disguised hand & the writer ashamed of his true Name adopted that of "J. Burnside".
I have no doubt that the communication was either dictated or written by a Brother Officer of Capt. Bowman's, these two Officers have for a long time been on unfriendly terms, & each would consider he had done good service, by having the other Cashiered.
As there is no specific Charge made against Capt. Bowman, I can only make a report as to the cause of his absence from the Regt.
Capt. Bowman did not run [?] for a doctor for Capt. Hall as aledged [sic] by the writer, he had permission from me to fall to the rear July 2nd 1863 at Gettysburg Pa on account of sickness, he was not heard from untill [sic] Aug 16th /63 when a Medical Certificate dated at Philada Aug 12th was received at these Hd. Qrs. recommending a leave of absence 15 days, on the 27th of Aug. another Medical Certificate extending the time ten days longer. The Surgeon also recommending Capt Bowman to be put on light duty. A communication from Capt. Bowman was enclosed (with the Certificate) informing me he had been ordered to report to the Department Commander for duty, another dated 9th [?] of Septbr. for 5 days. Capt. Bowman reported himself at Camp this day for duty, no information has been received by me officially or otherwise as to his conduct during his absence.
The foregoing is all that appears on the [illegible word, which appears to be crossed out] records of this Regiment, relative to the absence of Capt Bowman and his "disgraceful conduct" in Philadelphia as alledged [sic] by this Author of the Communication Signed "J. Burnside" Philada
I am General
Very Respectfully
Your Obedient Sevt
Jos H. Sinex
Lt. Col. Commdg