U.S. Representative Benjamin Gwinn Harris (1805-1895), a strong proslavery advocate, is the only congressman during the Civil War to pray for Confederate victory on the House floor. His prayer is offered the day after the Battle of Gettysburg. Harris is censured by the House for treasonable utterances.
Born and raised near Leonardtown in St. Mary’s County, Harris is against the Know Nothing Party and for religious freedom. As a supporter of slavery, however, he wants all Blacks–enslaved and free–to be enslaved, and as a U.S. Congressman he votes against all appropriations for the Union cause. He also votes against the 13th amendment.
Harris is tried and convicted for harboring Confederate soldiers at his plantation. After he was sentenced to three years in prison and barred from holding office, President Andrew Johnson pardons him.
