An arch which bears the word Constitution is over three pillars, representing the three branches of government, on the State Seal of Georgia. Banners around each pillar contain the words Wisdom, Justice, and Moderation – Georgia's official motto. Here is the simplified version of this seal on Captain Tom Owen's tombstone.
Capt. Tom Musgrove Owen was born in Coweta County, Georgia 10 October 1834. He enlisted in the 4th Texas Regiment, C.S.A. 7 May 1861 at Grimes County, Texas. His service proved fatal when little over a year later the captain received a gunshot wound in the Battle of Gaines Mill (noted as "farm" on his tombstone) near Richmond, Virginia. Capt. Owen died as a result 3 August 1862 at Richmond.
Just before we were ordered into line of battle, and while heavy firing could be heard in our front and on each flank, Captain Owens of our regiment, was talking to some comrades of the battle in which we expected soon to be engaged, and drawing his sword and waiving it over his head, repeated the following lines from Scott's "Marmion" [an epic poem about the 1513 Battle of Flodden]:
The war that for a space did fail
Now, trebly thundering, swelled the gale,
And "Stanley!" was the cry;
A light on Marmion's visage spread
And fired his glazing eye;
With dying hand above his head,
He shook the fragment of his blade
And shouted "Victory!"
"Charge, Chester, charge! On, Stanley, on!"
Were the last words of Marmion.While they were the last words of Marmion, they were almost the last words of Gallant Owens, who fell mortally wounded in less than half an hour from the time he quoted them with such prophetic inspiration.
On the back of Capt. Owen's tombstone at Oak Hill Cemetery in Newnan, Georgia is an intricate carving of two crossed swords:
A signature of the stone carver is located on the bottom right corner of the stone. Michael Muldoon of M. Muldoon & Co. was a reputable and talented carver. This stone was possibly made out of Italian marble, as I believe was often Mr. Muldoon's base before sculpture.
Are you wondering what's up with all the "letter" posts? I am participating in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge (links to official page). This challenge lasts through the month of April, with Sundays off. Each day follows a different letter prompt, in order, from A to Z. Click here to see all my letter posts on one page (in reverse order). This blog as a whole is one of my themes – telling the tales of tombstones, primarily from those found in the Southern United States and usually the State of Georgia. You may follow along with me by email and other social media platforms listed at the top of the sidebar. I and other bloggers in the challenge on Twitter will also be using #atozchallenge.
Though this is my second year in the challenge, it's my first with two blogs. I am also participating with Lincecum Lineage. Though it is a one name study blog, my theme there is "kinfolk direct." These genealogy and family history posts all involve a direct relative.
Are you participating in the challenge, too? Please leave a link to your blog in the comments, I'd love to pay you a visit. Good luck to all involved!
Comments