Marks Wants to Honor Towson's War of 1812 General
General Nathaniel Towson was a decorated Army captain in the war.
Photos
He's the real general behind Towson High's Generals.
And now, as Baltimore celebrates the 200th anniversary of the beginning of the War of 1812, County Councilman David Marks feels Nathaniel Towson should get his due.
On Sunday, Marks wrote in a Patch blog post that he has suggested that business and community leaders help honor one of Towson's (the town's) greatest contributions to the war.
In particular, Marks suggested "that we dedicate one of our structures in his honor, perhaps the bridge at Dulaney Valley Road leading into Downtown Towson."
According to a 1842 biography (available free on Google Books), Nathaniel Towson was born in what was then Towsonton in 1784. The town had first been settled by his father William and his uncle, Thomas, in 1752.
In 1801, a land dispute kept Nathaniel Towson from cultivating a family farm in Kentucky, so he settled in Louisiana and enlisted in an artillery company. In the War of 1812, he distinguished himself as a captain in the battles of Stoney Creek, Buffalo, Queenstown and others.
At the end of the war, Buffalo gave him a celebratory sword marked with gratitude for his services. Maryland presented him a sword inscribed with the "names of the actions in which he was the most conspicuous," the biographer wrote.
Towson died in 1854.
How do you feel General Towson should be honored? Tell us in the comments!
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Towson High School
69 Cedar Ave, Towson, MD -
David Marks
Joined Patch Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Stewart G
9:45 am on Monday, June 18, 2012
How about the cannon outside of the courthouse?
Tyler Waldman
10:42 am on Monday, June 18, 2012
I want to say that that cannon was actually from the Spanish-American War. There is a plaque on it that says where and when.
Tom Sharp
11:07 am on Monday, June 18, 2012
He was an artillery man, so it would make sense. Of course, the cannon was captured thirty years after his death.
bryanintowson
10:30 am on Monday, June 18, 2012
How about Towson High School? We'd only have to buy one word to add to the sign and their mascot is already the "Generals".
Small budget, big impact. I smell a win win.
JDStuts
10:57 am on Monday, June 18, 2012
I think when your name is on nearly every business and school in the town your family named after themselves that even has its own zip code...you're pretty much covered.
Besides, the War of 1812 was probably the United States most meaningless, pointless engagement until the whole Iraq debacle. There is a silly collective of rose colored glasses behind this as a reason to celebrate.