Lothian in Anne Arundel County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Pvt. Benjamin Welch Owens
An Outstanding Example of Courage
Photographed By F. Robby, August 31, 2009
1. Pvt. Benjamin Welch Owens Marker
Inscription.
Pvt. Benjamin Welch Owens. An Outstanding Example of Courage. This monument, dedicated on June 17, 1999, honors the memory of a local man, Benjamin Welch Owens, who left his nearby West River farm to join Confederate forces during the Civil War. Owens was among the tens of thousands of men from Maryland who made their way south. He enlisted on June 3, 1863, joining the 1st Maryland Flying Artillery, C.S.A, which was composed of men from southern Maryland, the Eastern Shore, and Baltimore. Less than two weeks after Owens enlisted, his unit engaged Union forces on June 15 at Stephenson's Depot near Winchester, Virginia, during the Gettysburg Campaign. Owens defended a key railroad bridge alone after the other members of his gun crew were killed or wounded. He continued to hold his ground and serve his gun unit until help arrived, in an outstanding example of courage during the war in Virginia., Pvt. Owens returned to Anne Arundel County after the war and was appointed deputy county clerk. He died in 1917 at the Confederate Soldier's Home in Pikesville at age 81. Owens was awarded the Confederate Medal of Honor posthumously by the Sons of Confederate Veterans in 1993, one of only 43 men, and the only Marylander, to receive it. (Because of political and economic difficulties, the Confederate government never awarded medals but instead published "rolls of honor" periodically.) The 12-foot bronze memorial, created by Texas sculptor Ron Moore, was erected with private contributions on land owned by Mt. Calvary Southern Methodist Church.
This monument, dedicated on June 17, 1999, honors the memory of a local man, Benjamin Welch Owens, who left his nearby West River farm to join Confederate forces during the Civil War. Owens was among the tens of thousands of men from Maryland who made their way south. He enlisted on June 3, 1863, joining the 1st Maryland Flying Artillery, C.S.A, which was composed of men from southern Maryland, the Eastern Shore, and Baltimore. Less than two weeks after Owens enlisted, his unit engaged Union forces on June 15 at Stephenson's Depot near Winchester, Virginia, during the Gettysburg Campaign. Owens defended a key railroad bridge alone after the other members of his gun crew were killed or wounded. He continued to hold his ground and serve his gun unit until help arrived, in an outstanding example of courage during the war in Virginia.
Pvt. Owens returned to Anne Arundel County after the war and was appointed deputy county clerk. He died in 1917 at the Confederate Soldier's Home in Pikesville at age 81. Owens was awarded the Confederate Medal of Honor posthumously by the Sons of Confederate Veterans in 1993, one of only 43 men, and the only Marylander, to receive it. (Because of political and economic difficulties, the Confederate government never awarded medals but instead published "rolls of honor" periodically.) The 12-foot bronze
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memorial, created by Texas sculptor Ron Moore, was erected with private contributions on land owned by Mt. Calvary Southern Methodist Church.
Erected by Civil War Trails.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Maryland Civil War Trails series list. A significant historical date for this entry is June 17, 1999.
Location. 38° 49.236′ N, 76° 39.809′ W. Marker is in Lothian, Maryland, in Anne Arundel County. Marker is on Mt. Zion Marlboro Road (Maryland Route 408) 0.1 miles west of Ed Prout Road, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Lothian MD 20711, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Behind the Civil War Trails marker is the sculpture referenced by the marker.
Photographed By F. Robby, August 31, 2009
3. Marker, Sculpture, and Church
Credits. This page was last revised on January 4, 2020. It was originally submitted on September 4, 2009, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 2,089 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on September 4, 2009, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland.