Joshua T. Owen

Joshua Thomas Owen (March 29, 1821 – November 7, 1887) was a British-born American military officer who served as a Union Army brigadier general during the American Civil War. He commanded the Philadelphia Brigade for part of the war.

He had an ongoing feud with his commanding officer, general John Gibbon which resulted in an revoked court-martial in 1863 and an arrest for disobedience of orders during battle in 1864. Owen was scheduled to be court-martialed, but Ulysses S. Grant interceded in the case and Owen was honorably discharged from service instead.

He served as a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 1858 and was founder and editor of the New York Daily Register, a newspaper and law journal, from 1871 to 1887.

Early life and career Owen was born in Carmarthen, Wales, on March 29, 1821. He emigrated with his family to the United States. He graduated from Jefferson College in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania in 1845. He worked as a professor at the Chestnut Hill Academy in Philadelphia and practiced law.

Civil War Owen entered the Civil War on May 8, 1861, as colonel of the 24th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment. The unit served only three months and fought in the Battle of Ball's Bluff.

Owen and the 69th fought with distinction at Battle of Glendale and he was commended by generals Joseph Hooker and John Sedgwick and recommended for promotion to brigadier general.

He was reported killed in action twice by two different newspapers during the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House. He lost a finger in battle and had two horses shot from under him. He was replaced by Alexander S. Webb, who led the brigade admirably at the Battle of Gettysburg.

Post war career After the war, Owen returned to Pennsylvania. He was elected recorder of deeds for Philadelphia County and served from 1867 to 1870. He was the founder and editor of the New York Daily Register, a newspaper and law journal, from 1871 to 1887. He died in Philadelphia on November 7, 1887, and was interred in Laurel Hill Cemetery.