Civil War officer. He is remembered for fighting at Gettysburg armed with only a camp hatchet. His unit was part of the Second Vermont Brigade, which played the key role in repulsing Pickett's Charge. En route to the battlefield Lieutenant Brown violated a "no straggling" order to care for his men who were suffering heat injuries. After taking water from a well guarded by Union soldiers he was arrested and relieved of his sword, an officer's symbol of authority. Because of the imminent battle he was quickly released and allowed to continue the march. Inspiring the soldiers in his vicinity by carrying only a hatchet into the fight, he captured a Confederate officer. He then relieved his prisoner of sword and pistol, both of which Brown wore until the end of the war. He returned to Vermont later in 1863 and recruited Company A, Seventeenth Vermont, of which he was elected captain. He lost his left arm at the Battle of the Wilderness. A monument depicting him with his camp hatchet is located at Gettysburg.
Civil War officer. He is remembered for fighting at Gettysburg armed with only a camp hatchet. His unit was part of the Second Vermont Brigade, which played the key role in repulsing Pickett's Charge. En route to the battlefield Lieutenant Brown violated a "no straggling" order to care for his men who were suffering heat injuries. After taking water from a well guarded by Union soldiers he was arrested and relieved of his sword, an officer's symbol of authority. Because of the imminent battle he was quickly released and allowed to continue the march. Inspiring the soldiers in his vicinity by carrying only a hatchet into the fight, he captured a Confederate officer. He then relieved his prisoner of sword and pistol, both of which Brown wore until the end of the war. He returned to Vermont later in 1863 and recruited Company A, Seventeenth Vermont, of which he was elected captain. He lost his left arm at the Battle of the Wilderness. A monument depicting him with his camp hatchet is located at Gettysburg.
Bio by: Bill McKern
Family Members
Siblings
Advertisement
See more Brown memorials in:
Records on Ancestry
Advertisement
