Sons of Leitrim
McGowan
James
Soldier Profile: James McGowan
Corporal, Co. H, 9th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry
James served in a regiment composed almost entirely of Irish immigrants. These men famously went into battle with a green flag and the motto "Gentle when stroked, fierce when provoked." James’s promotion to corporal suggests a man of leadership and grit, qualities he would desperately need during the summer of 1862.
Early Life and the Bootmaker's Trade
Born: Circa 1839 in Rossinver, County Leitrim.
Settling in Milford: Before the war, James settled in Milford, Massachusetts, a town known for its booming shoe and boot industry. James worked as a bootmaker, a skill that required precision and patience.
Emigration: While his exact arrival date is unknown, he was well-established in the Milford community by the time the war broke out in 1861.
Military Service: The Peninsula Campaign
James enlisted on June 11, 1861, answering the first call for three-year volunteers.
Gaines’ Mill: On June 27, 1862, his regiment was thrust into the horrific slaughter at Gaines' Mill. In a single afternoon, the Union suffered over 15,000 casualties. The 9th Massachusetts held the line under a storm of lead, earning a reputation for iron discipline.
Malvern Hill: Four days later, on July 1, 1862, the campaign reached its climax. At Malvern Hill, Union artillery and infantry shattered wave after wave of Confederate assaults.
Wounded and Captured: During the desperate fighting at Malvern Hill, James was wounded and taken prisoner. He vanished into the Confederate prison system at the very moment his regiment was being hailed as heroes.
On June 27, 1862, James and Company H were positioned at the center of a storm. At Gaines' Mill, the 9th Massachusetts was ordered to hold a vital bridge over Mill Creek to cover the Union retreat.
The Rearguard: They held the position for hours against overwhelming odds. The regiment suffered 252 casualties—the highest of any Union regiment in the battle.
Leitrim’s Toll: It is estimated that of the 82 men of the 9th who were killed or mortally wounded that day, the vast majority were Irish-born. James survived the carnage of the 27th, only to face the final act of the Seven Days.
Malvern Hill and the Long Captivity
On July 1, 1862, the campaign reached its bloody conclusion at Malvern Hill.
The Final Charge: While the Union artillery shattered the Confederate lines, the infantry was locked in desperate close-quarters fighting.
Wounded and Taken: It was here that Corporal McGowan was wounded in action. In the confusion of the Union's subsequent withdrawal to the James River, the wounded James was left behind and fell into Confederate hands as a Prisoner of War.
The Cost of Victory: The regiment lost another 166 men at Malvern Hill, including their beloved founder, Colonel Thomas Cass.
The Long Road Home
James was eventually paroled or exchanged, a common practice in the middle years of the war. However, his wounds were severe enough to end his military career.
Discharge: He was honorably mustered out of the army on March 25, 1863, with his papers noting he had been disabled by his battle wounds.
Pension: He applied for an Invalid Pension on April 9, 1863, seeking support for the physical toll the war had taken on his young body.
Final Years in Milford
James returned to Milford, though he likely could no longer sustain the long hours required of a bootmaker. By 1870, the census records him living with the O'Keefe family and operating a refreshment saloon—a common post-war occupation for veterans looking for a more accessible livelihood.
Death: James’s life was cut short, likely due to the lingering effects of his wounds and his time in captivity. He died on August 18, 1870, at approximately 31 years of age.
Executor: His probate records list Edward McGowan as the executor of his will, ensuring that the veteran's final affairs were handled by kin.
Service Timeline
Date Event Location / Detail
June 11, 1861 Enlisted for 3 Years Milford, MA
May 1862 Arrived in Virginia Peninsula Campaign
June 27, 1862 Battle of Gaines' Mill Heavy Combat
July 1, 1862 Wounded & Captured Battle of Malvern Hill
Mar 25, 1863 Honorably Discharged Disability due to wounds
Aug 18, 1870 Deceased Milford, MA
