Sons of Leitrim
Drowan (Rowan)
Martin
Soldier Profile: Martin Rowan (Drowan)
63rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry
Martin Rowan was part of the "Western Theatre" of the war. While many Irishmen from Leitrim fought in the hills of Virginia, Martin marched through the heart of the Confederacy, participating in the campaigns that ultimately broke the back of the Rebellion. Drowan is probably an alias.
Early Life
Born: Circa 1828 in Mayo, County Leitrim, Ireland.
Name Variation: Records often fluctuate between the names Drowan and Rowan.
Emigration: Like many from his district, he sought a new life in the American Midwest, eventually settling in Ohio.
Military Service: The March to the Sea
Martin enlisted (or possibly re-enlisted) in January 1864. He was assigned to the 63rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry, a battle-hardened regiment that was part of the Army of the Tennessee.
The Atlanta Campaign: Martin fought through the grueling summer of 1864 as Sherman’s army pushed toward Atlanta, a vital Confederate supply hub.
The "March to the Sea": After the fall of Atlanta, Martin and the 63rd Ohio participated in the famous 285-mile trek across Georgia. Living off the land and destroying Confederate infrastructure, they reached Savannah by December 1864.
Mustered Out: Following the Confederate surrender, Martin was honorably discharged on July 8, 1865, in Louisville, Kentucky.
Later Life and Pension
After the war, Martin returned to civilian life in Ohio. Like many veterans, the physical toll of marching hundreds of miles and sleeping in open camps eventually led to failing health in his later years.
Invalid Pension: On July 8, 1890, Martin applied for an invalid pension due to his service-related disabilities.
Death: Sadly, he passed away just one month later on August 11, 1890, at the age of 62.
Widow's Pension: His wife, Kate, applied for a widow’s pension on September 3, 1890, to support herself after his passing. On the pension form Drowan Martin is listed as an alias and Rowan Martin is written in.
Final Resting Place
Martin is buried in the Dayton National Cemetery (then known as the National Military Home). He rests among thousands of his comrades in the same hallowed grounds as fellow Leitrim man Thomas Craig.
Service Timeline
Date Event Location
Jan 1864 Enlisted / Re-enlisted Ohio
May–Sept 1864 Atlanta Campaign Georgia
Nov–Dec 1864 March to the Sea Georgia
July 8, 1865 Honorably Mustered Out Louisville, KY
Aug 11, 1890 Deceased Dayton, OH
