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Captain Rowan was a native of Man'land, and at the beginning of the war
resided at Elkton, Cecil County, where he had devoted himself with success to
the practice of his profession of the law. Though still young, he had already
attained considerable prominence as a public man. His manners were winning;

in speech he was easy and graceful; in action generous and manly; and every
circumstance of his life promised the success which his character deserved. When
the war broke out, true to his noble instincts, he devoted himself to the cause of
the South, leaving his profession, home, wife and children — all that he held most
dear — to take up arms in defense of the right. Through the many trying phases
of military life he passed unscathed. Cool in the hour of danger, serene amid
defeat and disaster, kind alike to his fellow-officers and to his men; he was cut
off in the flower of his age, before he had seen his thirtieth year. Brave, noble,
high-principled, his death in any cause would have hallowed it. Had the lost
Confederacy no other title to our love, the remembrance that for it such choice
spirits as John B. Rowan fought and died, would be enough to keep it forever
warm in our hearts.

The losses of the Third Maryland at Nashville were four killed, eight
wounded and sixteen captured, exclusive of Lieutenant Giles and Private Cotter,
captured two days before the battle.

KILLED—Captain John B. Rowan, Privates S. Aultman, E. R. Roach and
A. Wills.

WOUNDED—A. Dollar, D. Beasley, N. Beverly, W. J. Brown, Tom Early,
A. J. Davis, E. M. Herndon and J. Nichols.

The retreat continued through pelting rains, and snows, and high water,
flooding the country through which the army had to pass. Many of the men were
without shoes, and were but poorly clad, though the weather was so intensely cold
as to benumb those who were better provided.

On the loth of January, 1865. Johnston's battalion went into camp at
Columbus, Mississippi. Here, on the 2Oth, Lieutenant Ritter was promoted to
the Captaincy by the following special order :

HEADQUARTERS, COLUMBUS, MISSISSIPPI, January 20, 1865.
Special Order No. 10.

The following promotions are announced, the officers named being deemed competent
for promotion : . . . .

First Lieutenant William L. Ritter, of Stephens' Light Artillery, Third Maryland, to
be Captain, from December 16, 1864, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Captain
John B. Rowan, killed December 16, 1864. before Nashville, Tennessee.
BY COMMAND OF MAJOR-GENERAL ELZEY.

WILLIAM PALFREY, Captain and Assistant Adjutant.