Samuel Wilson Owen

A tailor by trade, with a successful business in Washington DC, Owen was among the first in Federal service at the outbreak of War in April 1861. His Independent Company of (DC militia) cavalry helped man the defenses of Washington DC before the arrival of the first regiments from the Northern States.

In July he enrolled in the newly forming 3rd Pennsylvania Cavalry in Washington, mustering into Federal service as their Lieutenant Colonel on 19 August 1861 for three years. Due to the frequent absence and eventual promotion of Colonel William Averell, Owen was in effective command of the Regiment for much of his service. He was in action on the Peninsula Campaign of 1862, and commanded the 3rd Pennsylvania after 6 July when the Colonel took over the Brigade.

Owen was in command of the regiment on the Maryland Campaign; Colonel Averell absent with the "Chickahominy Fever" (malaria).

He resigned his commission soon after Antietam, on 25 October 1862. He apparently returned to his shop and specialized in military uniforms.

A Washington, D.C. City Directory for the year 1890 shows resident Catharine (Cruit) Owen, widow of Samuel W. Owen.

The photograph above and some details of Owen's service are from the History of the Third.1 A photograph of Owen napping on the Peninsula at Westover Landing, Va in August 1862 is online from the US Library of Congress. Additional information from A History of the National Capital.2 A copy of his Veteran Card is online from the Pennsylvania State Archives. See an example of his post war tailoring work in this uniform of the early 1870s. Life dates from Fold3. His gravesite is on Findagrave.

01/13/1826; London, ENGLAND

01/02/1874; Washington, DC; burial in Oak Hill Cemetery, Washingon, DC