Private, Company H, 14^th Kentucky Infantry

Captain, Company C, 39^th Kentucky Infantry

As Researched by Stephen D. Bowling

Born– About 1836 in Pike County, Kentucky

Son of- Lewis W. and Olivia “Olla” (Morgan) Sowards

1850 Pike County, Kentucky Census
House 122-122            
Lewis Sowards              37            
Olla Sowards               37                        
     Morgan Sowards        16                        
     Thomas J. Sowards     14                        
     James M. Sowards      13                        
     America Sowards       11                  
     Kentucky Sowards      6                        
     Henry C. Sowards      5                        
     William H. Sowards    3                        
     Merrida Phillips      20     Laborer
     William Head          21     Laborer 
     Edward W. Justice     25     Laborer   
     Letitia Ramsey        67

Married– to Virginia “Jane” Ratliff (1843 – after 1910) on October 25, 1858, in Pike County, Kentucky. She was the daughter of William H. and Margaret (Hatcher) Ratliff.

1860 Pike County, Kentucky Census
District 1, house #27-27
Thomas J. Sowards           24
Virginia Sowards            17
     Mary E. Sowards        7 months
     James Sowards          23
     Dicy Slone             14
     James Haley            23

Military Service
Company H, 14th Kentucky Infantry, United States Army
Enlisted- October 25, 1861 at Cattletsburg, Boyd County, Kentucky for a period of 3 years
Absent- without leave on October 26, 1861
Returned to duty- date unknown
Deserted- March 11, 1862 at Piketon, Pike County, Kentucky
Reported as a Deserter- May 4, 1862
Note- "Since his desertion enlisted in the 39th Ky. Mounted Inft.- Rank of Captain." 
Highest Rank- 

Company C, 39th Kentucky Infantry, United States Army
Enlisted- September 10, 1862 at Peach Orchard for a period of 3 years
Absent- on detached service at Louisa, Lawrence County, Kentucky in November 1963
Absent- absent on detached duty at Lexington, Fayette County, Kentucky in May and June 1864 
Arrested- in custody in November 1864 on charge of drunkenness
Returned to duty- December 1864 "by limitation"
Present- present but sick in March 1865 
Resigned- April 8, 1865 due to disability
Highest Rank- Captain

1870 Pike County, Kentucky Census
District 1, house #188-188
Thomas J. Sowords           34
Virginia Sowords            27
     Mary E. Sowords        10
     Paulina M. Sowords     8
     James G. Sowords       6
     Madora I. Sowords      1

1880 Pike County, Kentucky Census
Pikeville Precinct, house #17-17           
Thomas Sowards              45
Virginia Sowards            37
     Paulina Sowards        18
     James Sowards          14
     Ada Sowards            9
     Myrtie Sowards         3
     Harrison Sowards       2 months

1890 Pike County, Kentucky Veterans Census
Precinct 1, page 4  
Line 42          
     Thomas J. Sowards
     House #75, Family #75
     Private, Company H, 14th Kentucky Infantry
     Date of Enlistment: April 10, 1861
     Post Office Address: Pikeville
     
Line 43
     Thomas J. Sowards
     Captain, Company C, 39th Kentucky Infantry
     Date of Enlistment: November 18, 1862
     Date of Discharge: April 15, 1865
     Length of Service: 4 years, 5 days    
     Post Office Address: Pikeville 

Died– January 25, 1892, in Pike County, Kentucky

Buried– Sowards Cemetery, East Shelbyiana, Pike County, Kentucky

© 2022 Stephen D. Bowling