The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1903-08-08

CIG6Q OI ldltu, SSCLuSQ W udtC d lCCl-
ing of reverence for those now dead
and gone whose brain, Drawn and
name gave foundation to the beauti-
full town. Not alone toward the
memory of Thomas and Ezekiel
Towson is this reverential feeling dis
played, but also to that of the gallant
soldier son of the latter, Gen. Nathan
Towson, hero OF the War of 1872.
General Towson was born in the
old homestead at Towsontown on
January 22, 1884, and was one of a
family of twelve. From his earliest
youth Nathan Towson gave evidence
of love for adventure, and was noted
wherever he went as brave, gener-
Gus, manly fellow. A rowing dispo-
sition led him South when quite
young, and he was in Louisiana at
the time that State was purchased
from France by the United States.
1t was feared that the French inhab-
itants might resist the claims of the
American Government, and to enforce
these volunteer companies were rails
ed. Young Towson entered one of
them at Natchez, Miss, and in a
short time was put in command of the
company. AS this was quite an inac-
tive existence, Towson tired of it very
soon, and in 1905 returned to Balti-
more county, where he engaged in
the more prosaic vocation of carpen-
tering and pump-making. He was
thus engaged when the war was de-
clared with England five years later.
The patriotic spirit of young Towson
was fired at once. Gathering about
him a number of kindred spirits he
formed company, which he drilled
assiduously on two-acre lot belong
ing to the government, located near
his fathers home and upon which
now stands Epson Chapel, and upon
which stood in those days we'll
stocked powder magazine. He next
set about getting commission from
the Legislature as captain of artillery.
During the day Towson worked hard
at his trade, and in the evening ma
neuvered his men on the EPSON lot.
To Hon. George Harryman and
Col. Beale Randall, those two war
horses who represented Baltimore
county in the Legislature number
of years, was entrusted the task Of
obtaining Towson' IS commission. The
young soldier was engaged in laying
a flooring in Mr.. Harryman's barn
when, on March IS, 1872, Colonel
Randall arrived with his commission.
"Where is Towson :" inquired the
Colonel of his friend Harryman.
"He is laying a flooring in my
barn." replied the latter.
"Well, I've got his commission"
said Randall, so come with me while
1 tell him and watch how he takes
the news"
Arm in arm the two legislators
strolls strolled into into T.. the barn prepared to
latter was busily engaged in driving.
a spike through the rough unhewn
boards of the flooring.
"Towson," said Col. Randall, II
have received your commission"
The young mans form shook with
pleasure at hearing the news, but he
never lifted his head until the spike
had been driven home, when, casting
his hammer to one side, Towson stood
erect, and, throwing back his head,
said proudly: "That is the last
spike Nathan Towson will drive until
he sends one into the touch hole of
the enemy's cannon"
Quickly gathering his company
about him, Towson left the very next
day and joined the forces of Col. Win
field Scott and accompanied them to
Lake Erie. The doughty warrior
was not long in recognizing the ster-
ling worth of his new recruit. Tow
son was put in command of a boat
party that set out from Black Rock,
and captured the British armed brigs
Detroit and Caledonia. These he cut
out from under the guns of Fort Erie.
In endeavoring to bring the Caledonia
down to the American side she
grounded within point-blank range
of the British cannon. Hot shot was
rained in the direction of the intrepid
Marylander, but Capt. Towson re-
fused to abandon his prize. Through
his gallant efforts she was saved to
become subsequently one of Commo-
dore Perry's famous fleet. Black
Rock was the advanced post of the
American army, and here Capt. Tow
son remained with his battery during
the winter of 1929.
In several minor affairs he display
ed his dauntless courage and military
skill. At the battle of Stony Creek he
was the senior officer of artillery and
played havoc upon the enemy's lines
with his battery. In the night he was
charged by the enemy, who captured
his guns and dispersed the company.
Hardly had day dawned before Capt.
AOWSOn OCSdH PlCPdi dtiOA lOI lSlllSV-
ing the fortunes of the night before.
He collected few stragglers, regain
ed possession of the guns, rendered
them serviceable and by a hot fire
drove off party of the British.
When Col. Scott was promoted to
be general and took command of the
army, Capt. Towson was ordered to
Buffalo again, where he employed his
time in drilling his battery. At the
battle of Chippewa his was the only
artillery engaged until after the re-
treat of the British. He selected his
position opposite the enemy's bat
teries, which he utterly silenced,
blowing up their ammunition wagon
and causing dreadful slaughter. At
the battle. of Bridgewater his COM
mand suffered severely. Both his
lieutenants were wounded and OF
36 men who served at the guns 27
were killed and wounded. At the
dafepca of Fort Er;a xrha,, roO of