The son of a Baptist minister, George Washington Towne was born in Windsor, Ohio. He was eighteen years old when he enlisted in the 33d Iowa Volunteer Infantry's Company G at Pella, Iowa, on August 9, 1862. Towne had grey eyes, black hair, and a dark complexion, stood five feet eleven-and-a-half inches in height, and gave his occupation as farmer. He was made Company G's cook in August 1863.

        Towne survived the Battle of Helena on July 4, 1863, only to be mortally wounded at the Battle of Jenkins' Ferry, April 30, 1863. He died of his wounds on June 11, 1864, at Princeton, Arkansas, which the Confederates converted into a hospital town following the battle. The Confederates returned his remains, and they were buried in the Little Rock National Cemetery. At the time of Towne's death, the only personal effects that he had in storage in Little Rock consisted of two flannel shirts, one great coat (military winter overcoat) and one dress coat. These items were shipped to his family in Iowa.

        Towne is more than a name on the 33d Iowa's roster because of the series of vivid letters that he sent to his sister Matilda ("Tillie") describing his service in Arkansas. Some excerpts follow below. Towne's original letters are housed in Des Moines at the State Historical Society of Iowa.
 

Towne's Initial Impressions of the South, May 22, 1863

"I am well at present but the health of the company is not so good as it . . . was. There is so much duty to do & the loss of sleep (according to the army phrase) uses men up. A great many are complaining of rhumatism. . . . The fact is this climate is not fit for a white man to live in it ought to be given to the negroes. I am shure if I get out of Dixie I will not want to revisit Helena . . . again very soon."
 

On the Strength of Helena's Defenses, May 22, 1863

"We are expecting an attack from the rebel General Price. They say he is near Little Rock & that Marmaduke is at Cotton Plant. . . . There are about 6,000 [Union] troops in Helena & about 50 pieces of artillry I do not believe 20,000 rebels could take the place with what force there is here so if they want to get well whipped let them come to Helena."
 

The 33d Iowa Advances on Little Rock, September 5, 1863

"Well we started last Monday & had a hard march across a prairie 80 miles wide under the scorching rays of a September sun. The consequence was a great many gave out. We started from Duvals bluff with 13 men in our company fit for duty & several have given out since so you see but few of us are along in the expedition after all."
 

Observing Anti-Confederate Sentiment in Benton, Arkansas, November 2, 1863

"The little town of Benton was crowded with [Confederate] deserters & refugees who had fled there for protection from the guerrillas. The streets presented quite a curious spectacle the butternuts & soldiers talking & telling yarns Some of the citizens tell some awful tales about how they have been treated by the secesh They were then raising a battalion to fight the guerrillas a great many are also entering the United States service."
 

In Winter Quarters at Little Rock, November 22, 1863

"This is Sunday morning & I am writing in [Lieutenant George R.] Ledyard's tent & Henry is bakeing flapjack near by. We built bunks yesterday & some of us moved into the cabin last night. Jack McCollum Tom Sinyard & myself have the best place in the cabin. We have our bunks just above the door where we can get plenty of fresh air."
 

Towne on the Execution of Confederate Spies, January 2, 1864

"They have the Methodist preacher who I wrote you I thought was a secesh in the jail & he is charged with being a rebel Spy & likely will be hung. They say that another Spy [probably David O. Dodd, Arkansas' most famous Confederate martyr] will be hung next Friday. I don't like to see men hung but I think it is perfectly right to hang spies for they might be the means of killing thousands of brave men."
 

Military Life's Adverse Effect on Morality, January 2, 1864

"I am sorry that the company is getting to play cards & swear & every wickedness that soldiers are liable to fall into. From having the name of being the best company in the regt it has the name now of being the most abandoned. Young men who at home belonged to the church & were moral young men now play cards & use the name of God in vain. I hope I never shall become so wicked."
 

From Towne's Last Letter Home, March 20, 1864

"Uncle Henry Parren & several others of our Company with myself were at a citizens house last Friday evening & had a good sing & a pleasant visit. It seems so strange to be in a house & sit down on a chair & talk with white folks & it reminds us so much of home that it is hard to believe that we are not at home."