Nathaniel Towson
Encyclopedia
Major-General Nathaniel Towson (January 22, 1784 – 1854) also known as Nathan Towson.
, Maryland
, which was then a small town north of Baltimore
. Nathan farmed for much of his early life and left Towson to establish his family's recently acquired farm in Kentucky
. Because of a land dispute, Nathan moved to Natchez
, Mississippi
.
, William C. C. Claiborne, to New Orleans. Nathan quelled an attempted mass desertion and quickly rose through the ranks until he finally commanded the Natchez Volunteer Artillery. In 1805, Nathan returned to Baltimore County and continued farming but remained a military officer through his position with the Maryland Militia. Nathan's military prowess earned him recognition in the Maryland Militia and he became Adjunct of its 7th Regiment.
During this period prior to the War of 1812, Nathan became an astute artillery officer and devoted significant efforts to artillery's related study of mathematics. Nathan also became an adviser to the state during its revision of the Militia Laws.
began with a notable success. His first engagement involved his commanding a small group to capture an enemy brig
, the Caledonia. The successful capture propelled Nathan's reputation. Nathan quickly rose through the ranks, both through his own acts of individual bravery and his effective artillery command. While commanding relatively few artillery pieces, his batteries' discharges were so numerous that his position during the Siege of Fort Erie
became known as "Towson's Lighthouse". During the War of 1812
, Nathan commanded artillery during many confrontations, including the Battle of Fort George
, the Battle of Stoney Creek
, the Battle of Queenston Heights
, the Battle of Chippawa
, the Battle of Lundy's Lane
, and the Siege of Fort Erie
.
and then Newport
, Rhode Island
. He was then appointed Paymaster General of the Army in 1819. As Paymaster General, Towson resided primarily in Washington, DC.
, who counted among their members former presidents Andrew Jackson
and John Quincy Adams
and many prominent men of the day, including well-known representatives of the military, government service, medical and other professions.
History
Nathaniel Towson was born in TowsontonTowson, Maryland
Towson is an unincorporated community and a census-designated place in Baltimore County, Maryland, United States. The population was 55,197 at the 2010 census...
, Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
, which was then a small town north of Baltimore
Baltimore
Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore...
. Nathan farmed for much of his early life and left Towson to establish his family's recently acquired farm in Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
. Because of a land dispute, Nathan moved to Natchez
Natchez, Mississippi
Natchez is the county seat of Adams County, Mississippi, United States. With a total population of 18,464 , it is the largest community and the only incorporated municipality within Adams County...
, Mississippi
Mississippi
Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
.
Military career
While in Natchez, Nathan joined a volunteer artillery outfit to accompany the first American governor of LouisianaLouisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
, William C. C. Claiborne, to New Orleans. Nathan quelled an attempted mass desertion and quickly rose through the ranks until he finally commanded the Natchez Volunteer Artillery. In 1805, Nathan returned to Baltimore County and continued farming but remained a military officer through his position with the Maryland Militia. Nathan's military prowess earned him recognition in the Maryland Militia and he became Adjunct of its 7th Regiment.
During this period prior to the War of 1812, Nathan became an astute artillery officer and devoted significant efforts to artillery's related study of mathematics. Nathan also became an adviser to the state during its revision of the Militia Laws.
War of 1812
With American and British tensions escalating, Nathan was appointed Captain in the US Army artillery on March 15, 1812. Nathan's service during the War of 1812War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
began with a notable success. His first engagement involved his commanding a small group to capture an enemy brig
Brig
A brig is a sailing vessel with two square-rigged masts. During the Age of Sail, brigs were seen as fast and manoeuvrable and were used as both naval warships and merchant vessels. They were especially popular in the 18th and early 19th centuries...
, the Caledonia. The successful capture propelled Nathan's reputation. Nathan quickly rose through the ranks, both through his own acts of individual bravery and his effective artillery command. While commanding relatively few artillery pieces, his batteries' discharges were so numerous that his position during the Siege of Fort Erie
Siege of Fort Erie
The Siege of Fort Erie was one of the last and most protracted engagements between British and American forces during the Niagara campaign of the American War of 1812...
became known as "Towson's Lighthouse". During the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
, Nathan commanded artillery during many confrontations, including the Battle of Fort George
Battle of Fort George
The Battle of Fort George was a battle fought during the War of 1812, in which the Americans defeated a British force and captured the Fort George in Upper Canada...
, the Battle of Stoney Creek
Battle of Stoney Creek
The Battle of Stoney Creek was fought on 6 June 1813 during the War of 1812 near present day Stoney Creek, Ontario. British units made a night attack on an American encampment...
, the Battle of Queenston Heights
Battle of Queenston Heights
The Battle of Queenston Heights was the first major battle in the War of 1812 and resulted in a British victory. It took place on 13 October 1812, near Queenston, in the present-day province of Ontario...
, the Battle of Chippawa
Battle of Chippawa
The Battle of Chippawa was a victory for the United States Army in the War of 1812, during an invasion of Upper Canada along the Niagara River on July 5, 1814.-Background:...
, the Battle of Lundy's Lane
Battle of Lundy's Lane
The Battle of Lundy's Lane was a battle of the Anglo-American War of 1812, which took place on 25 July 1814, in present-day Niagara Falls, Ontario...
, and the Siege of Fort Erie
Siege of Fort Erie
The Siege of Fort Erie was one of the last and most protracted engagements between British and American forces during the Niagara campaign of the American War of 1812...
.
Post war
After the War, Nathan was assigned to a command in BostonBoston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
and then Newport
Newport
Newport is a city and unitary authority area in Wales. Standing on the banks of the River Usk, it is located about east of Cardiff and is the largest urban area within the historic county boundaries of Monmouthshire and the preserved county of Gwent...
, Rhode Island
Rhode Island
The state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...
. He was then appointed Paymaster General of the Army in 1819. As Paymaster General, Towson resided primarily in Washington, DC.
Societies
During the 1820s, Towson was a member of the prestigious society, Columbian Institute for the Promotion of Arts and SciencesColumbian Institute for the Promotion of Arts and Sciences
The Columbian Institute for the Promotion of Arts and Sciences was a literary and science institution in Washington, D.C., founded by Dr. Edward Cutbush , a naval surgeon...
, who counted among their members former presidents Andrew Jackson
Andrew Jackson
Andrew Jackson was the seventh President of the United States . Based in frontier Tennessee, Jackson was a politician and army general who defeated the Creek Indians at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend , and the British at the Battle of New Orleans...
and John Quincy Adams
John Quincy Adams
John Quincy Adams was the sixth President of the United States . He served as an American diplomat, Senator, and Congressional representative. He was a member of the Federalist, Democratic-Republican, National Republican, and later Anti-Masonic and Whig parties. Adams was the son of former...
and many prominent men of the day, including well-known representatives of the military, government service, medical and other professions.
Namesakes
- A U.S. military outpost was renamed Fort TowsonFort TowsonFort Towson was a frontier outpost for Frontier Army Quartermasters along the Permanent Indian Frontier located about two miles northeast of the present community of Fort Towson, Oklahoma....
in 1831. It is located in Fort TowsonFort TowsonFort Towson was a frontier outpost for Frontier Army Quartermasters along the Permanent Indian Frontier located about two miles northeast of the present community of Fort Towson, Oklahoma....
, OklahomaOklahomaOklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
. - An American WWII liberty shipLiberty shipLiberty ships were cargo ships built in the United States during World War II. Though British in conception, they were adapted by the U.S. as they were cheap and quick to build, and came to symbolize U.S. wartime industrial output. Based on vessels ordered by Britain to replace ships torpedoed by...
was named SS Nathan Towson.
External links
- http://books.google.com/books?id=c25l_jQhwuoC&lpg=PA5&ots=UmeIw0zdzW&dq=Nathaniel%20Towson%201854&pg=PA5#v=onepage&q=&f=false
- http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?_r=1&res=9407E7DE123DE034BC4C51DFB166838F649FDE
- http://books.google.com/books?id=ri53AAAAMAAJ&lpg=PA171&ots=mRWOrExf8O&dq=%22nathan%20towson%22&pg=PA171#v=onepage&q=%22nathan%20towson%22&f=false
- http://books.google.com/books?id=Qs7GAwwdzyQC&lpg=PA334&ots=hNuh2i3I1F&dq=%22nathan%20towson%22&pg=PA334#v=onepage&q=%22nathan%20towson%22&f=false
- http://books.google.com/books?id=_c09EJgek50C&lpg=PA241&ots=MAbg_rE8cE&dq=%22nathan%20towson%22&pg=PA20#v=onepage&q=%22nathan%20towson%22&f=false
- http://books.google.com/books?id=Qc8UAAAAYAAJ&lpg=PA106&ots=V6njglR5Xz&dq=%22nathan%20towson%22&pg=PA106#v=onepage&q=%22nathan%20towson%22&f=false