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J. Owen

J. Owen

Federal (USV)

Colonel

Joshua Thomas Owen

"Paddy"

(1821 - 1887)

Home State: Pennsylvania

Command Billet: Commanding Regiment

Branch of Service: Infantry

Unit: 69th Pennsylvania Infantry

 

see his Battle Report

Before Antietam

Pre-War: he was a Pennsylvania lawyer and politician, and served in the state militia. In May 1861 he was appointed Colonel of the 24th Pennsylvania Infantry for 3 months' service, then, in August 1861, he was appointed Colonel of the 69th Pennsylvania Infantry and led them at Seven Pines and the Seven Days in 1862.

On the Campaign

He continued in command of his regiment as part of Brigadier General Howard's Second Brigade in the Second Division/Second (II) Corps. He assumed command of the brigade at Antietam on 17 September 1862 when Brigadier General Howard relieved the wounded Major General Sedgwick in command of the Division.

The rest of the War

In November 1862 he was appointed Brigadier General of Volunteers (appointment to expire March 1863), and continued in command of the Brigade at Fredericksburg. In March 1863 he was reappointed Brigadier General and fought at Chancellorsville. He was arrested (why? outcome?) on the march to Pennsylvania, and later saw action at the Wilderness, Spotsylvania, and Cold Harbor. He was accused of failing to support a neighboring brigade at Cold Harbor. He mustered out in July 1864.

After the War

He continued his career as a lawyer and was editor of a law journal.

References & notes

His biographical and service basics from Warner.1 His gravesite is on Findagrave.

Birth

03/29/1821; Caermarthen, Wales

Death

11/07/1887; Chestnut Hill, PA; burial in Laurel Hill Cemetery, Philadelphia, PA

Notes

1   Warner, Ezra J., Generals in Blue, Lives of the Union Commanders, Baton Rouge, LA: Louisiana State University Press, 1964, pp. 353, 354  [AotW citation 31918]