Finding Aid to the Journal of William Bower Simmons

JONES MEMORIAL LIBRARY
2311 MEMORIAL AVENUE
LYNCHBURG, VA 24501
(434) 846-0501
JOURNAL OF WILLIAM BOWER SIMMONS (1838-1917), 1861
This is a photocopy of the journal kept by Simmons, who was a member of the Blue
Ridge Rifles and was camped near Lynchburg at Camp Lee. Also included is a typed
partial transcription.
WILLIAM BOWER SIMMONS (1838-1917)
William Bower Simmons was born on 29 August 1838, the son of Anthony K. and
Sophia Bower Simmons, of Botetourt County, Virginia. His maternal grandparents were
William and Catharine Kesler Bower.
Simmons served with the Blue Ridge Rifles and was a private in Co. A of the 28th
Virginia Infantry. He was wounded in the back in 1864, at Howlett's House. Following
the Civil War, Simmons served as a judge in Botetourt County for 17 years.
Judge Simmons died on 30 November 1917, and was buried in Amsterdam Cemetery,
Amsterdam, Virginia.
SOURCE: Fields, Frank E., Jr. 28th Virginia Infantry, Lynchburg, VA: H.E. Howard, Inc., 1985; 1850
U.S. Census, Botetourt Co., VA, p. 169, household #1763, National Archives Microfilm M-432, Roll 936;
Vogt, John & T. William Kethley. Botetourt County Marriages 1770–1853 Athens, GA: Iberian
Publishing Co., 1987.

MS1804