Francis E. Brownell
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Francis E. Brownell | |
|---|---|
| 1840 – March 15, 1894 | |
 Francis E. Brownell |
|
| Place of birth | New York, New York |
| Place of death | Washington, D.C. |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch | Union Army |
| Years of service | April 20, 1861[1] – unknown |
| Rank | First Lieutenant |
| Unit | 11th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment |
| Battles/wars | Battle of First Bull Run |
| Awards | Medal of Honor |
Francis Edwin Brownell (1840–March 15, 1894) was a soldier and recipient of the Medal of Honor for killing the murderer of Col. Elmer E. Ellsworth, colonel of the 11th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment. Brownell's actions marked the first action in the Civil War to merit the award.[2]
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[edit] Life
Brownell enlisted as a member of the 11th New York and was assigned to Company A. In the first days of the war, as the 11th entered Alexandria, Virginia on May 24, 1861, Ellsworth took him and several other men to capture while the telegraph office. On the way there, one of Ellsworth's men spotted a Confederate flag atop the Marshall House inn.[2] Ellsworth's group entered the inn and quickly cut down the flag, but they encountered the proprietor, James Jackson, as they descended the stairs. Jackson killed Ellsworth with a shotgun blast to the chest, and Brownell responded in kind by fatally shooting the innkeeper.[3]
After the war, Brownell twice was denied his request for the award in recognitiuon of his actions in killing Jackson. A third attempt with the assistance of his congressman was granted. Brownell finally was award the Medal of Honor in 1877, inscribed with his name and regiment. A request to have his action described on the medal meant it was returned to the War Department and a second medal was issued. It was inscribed: “The Congress to Sergt Frank E. Brownell, 11th N.Y. Vol Inf’y for gallantry in shooting the murderer of Col. Ellsworth at Alexandria, VA, May 24, 1861.”[3]
Following the war, Brownell lived in Washington, D.C. were he worked as a clerk with the Pension Office. He is buried in Bellefontaine Cemetery, Saint Louis, Missouri.[4]
[edit] Citation
Rank and organization: Private, Company A, 11th New York Infantry. Place and date: Alexandria, Va., 24 May 1861. Entered service at: Troy, N.Y. Birth: New York. Date of issue: 26 January 1877.
Killed the murderer of Colonel Elmer E. Ellsworth at the Marshall House Alexandria, Va.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Corporal Francis E. Brownell of Company A, 11th New York Fire Zouaves. Civil War Gazette. Retrieved on 2008-02-05.
- ^ a b Civil War Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient Sgt. Francis E. Brownell. Medal of Honor.com. Retrieved on 2008-02-05.
- ^ a b Tiger! Zouave!. Marc A. Hermann and Shaun C. Grenan. Retrieved on 2007-12-04.
- ^ Death of Francis Edwin Brownell. New York Times. Retrieved on 2008-02-05.
