J. Thompson Brown
Encyclopedia
John Thompson Brown was a Confederate artillerist in the American Civil War
. He was killed by a sharpshooter in the Battle of the Wilderness
.
took charge of the Battalion. J. Thompson Brown, although not a trained soldier, was named captain of the second company. On May 7, 1861, the battery fired its first shot from Gloucester Point in Virginia
, when one of its guns was discharged against the federal gunboat Yankee. His battery fought at the Battle of Big Bethel
. Brown became a major in September 1861 and a lieutenant colonel in the spring of 1862.
Brown led the First Virginia Artillery as a battalion in the artillery reserve of the Army of Northern Virginia
in the Seven Days Battles
. Brown was promoted to the rank of colonel on June 2, 1862. He led the battalion at the Battle of Antietam
and the Battle of Fredericksburg
.,
In October 1862, Thompson was assigned to work with BG William N. Pendleton
and Col Stephen D. Lee
to makes recommendations for the reorganization of the army’s artillery. Pendleton recommended that Brown retain his battalion.
In 1863, at the Battle of Chancellorsville
, Brown’s battalion served in the artillery brigade of Stonewall Jackson
’s corps. Brown distinguished himself by protecting the Confederates involved in Jackson’s flanking movement from a probe by the federal III Corps
. After the wounding of Col Stapleton Crutchfield
, Brown became acting chief of artillery of Jackson’s corps.
During the reorganization of the army after the death of Jackson, Ltg Richard S. Ewell
took charge of II Corps. Col Brown became the commander of the artillery reserve of the corps. The battalions of Capt Willis J. Dance
, formerly Brown’s own, and Ltc William Nelson served under him. Dance's battalion played a part in the Second Battle of Winchester. Their guns reached the field at the Battle of Gettysburg
but too late for the fighting on July 1. Dance’s guns were employed on Seminary Rudge and Nelson’s near Benner’s Hill on July 2 and 3. Brown is among those criticized for the failure to get ammunition trains to the front, reducing the number of guns available for the grand bombardment on July 3. Brown’s gunners helped cover the retreat of the army to the Potomac River
, reaching Hagerstown, Maryland
on July 7. They were assigned on the left of Gen Robert E. Lee
’s defensive position near Williamsport, Maryland
as the army waited to cross the river. Brown reported on the role of the corps' artillery in the campaign.http://www.civilwarhome.com/browngettysburgor.htm
Shortly after Gettysburg, Lee named his military secretary, BG Armistead L. Long chief of artillery of II Corps. Despite being the senior artillerist of the corps, Brown is not found on record complaining about Long’s promotion. Others, however, thought Long was promoted because of his West Point education. Brown returned to command of his battalion for the Bristoe Campaign
and the Mine Run Campaign.
Before the Overland Campaign
began, Long divided his corps artillery into two divisions. Brown took command of one. It contained the battalions of Nelson, Ltc Robert A. Hardaway
and Ltc Carter M. Braxton. On May 6, 1864, while seeking a position for the guns in his division, Col Brown was killed by a sharpshooter. Gens Pendleton and Long praised their fallen lieutenant for his character and skill.
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. He was killed by a sharpshooter in the Battle of the Wilderness
Battle of the Wilderness
The Battle of the Wilderness, fought May 5–7, 1864, was the first battle of Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant's 1864 Virginia Overland Campaign against Gen. Robert E. Lee and the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia. Both armies suffered heavy casualties, a harbinger of a bloody war of attrition by...
.
Civil War
The Richmond Howitzers were organized in 1861 from volunteers not added to the First Regiment of Virginia Artillery. Maj George W. RandolphGeorge W. Randolph
George Wythe Randolph was a lawyer, planter, and Confederate general. He served for eight months in 1862 as the Confederate States Secretary of War during the American Civil War, when he reformed procurement, wrote the conscription law, and strengthened western defenses...
took charge of the Battalion. J. Thompson Brown, although not a trained soldier, was named captain of the second company. On May 7, 1861, the battery fired its first shot from Gloucester Point in Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
, when one of its guns was discharged against the federal gunboat Yankee. His battery fought at the Battle of Big Bethel
Battle of Big Bethel
The Battle of Big Bethel, also known as the Battle of Bethel Church or Great Bethel was one of the earliest land battles of the American Civil War after the surrender of Fort Sumter...
. Brown became a major in September 1861 and a lieutenant colonel in the spring of 1862.
Brown led the First Virginia Artillery as a battalion in the artillery reserve of the Army of Northern Virginia
Army of Northern Virginia
The Army of Northern Virginia was the primary military force of the Confederate States of America in the Eastern Theater of the American Civil War, as well as the primary command structure of the Department of Northern Virginia. It was most often arrayed against the Union Army of the Potomac...
in the Seven Days Battles
Seven Days Battles
The Seven Days Battles was a series of six major battles over the seven days from June 25 to July 1, 1862, near Richmond, Virginia during the American Civil War. Confederate General Robert E. Lee drove the invading Union Army of the Potomac, commanded by Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan, away from...
. Brown was promoted to the rank of colonel on June 2, 1862. He led the battalion at the Battle of Antietam
Battle of Antietam
The Battle of Antietam , fought on September 17, 1862, near Sharpsburg, Maryland, and Antietam Creek, as part of the Maryland Campaign, was the first major battle in the American Civil War to take place on Northern soil. It was the bloodiest single-day battle in American history, with about 23,000...
and the Battle of Fredericksburg
Battle of Fredericksburg
The Battle of Fredericksburg was fought December 11–15, 1862, in and around Fredericksburg, Virginia, between General Robert E. Lee's Confederate Army of Northern Virginia and the Union Army of the Potomac, commanded by Maj. Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside...
.,
In October 1862, Thompson was assigned to work with BG William N. Pendleton
William N. Pendleton
William Nelson Pendleton was an American teacher, Episcopal priest, and soldier. He served as a Confederate general during the American Civil War, noted for his position as Gen. Robert E. Lee's chief of artillery for most of the conflict...
and Col Stephen D. Lee
Stephen D. Lee
Stephen Dill Lee was an American soldier, planter, legislator, and author. He was the youngest Confederate lieutenant general during the American Civil War, and later served as the first president of Mississippi A&M College...
to makes recommendations for the reorganization of the army’s artillery. Pendleton recommended that Brown retain his battalion.
In 1863, at the Battle of Chancellorsville
Battle of Chancellorsville
The Battle of Chancellorsville was a major battle of the American Civil War, and the principal engagement of the Chancellorsville Campaign. It was fought from April 30 to May 6, 1863, in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, near the village of Chancellorsville. Two related battles were fought nearby on...
, Brown’s battalion served in the artillery brigade of Stonewall Jackson
Stonewall Jackson
ຄຽשת״ׇׂׂׂׂ֣|birth_place= Clarksburg, Virginia |death_place=Guinea Station, Virginia|placeofburial=Stonewall Jackson Memorial CemeteryLexington, Virginia|placeofburial_label= Place of burial|image=...
’s corps. Brown distinguished himself by protecting the Confederates involved in Jackson’s flanking movement from a probe by the federal III Corps
III Corps (ACW)
There were four formations in the Union Army designated as III Corps during the American Civil War.Three were short-lived:*In the Army of Virginia:**Irvin McDowell ;**James B...
. After the wounding of Col Stapleton Crutchfield
Stapleton Crutchfield
Stapleton Crutchfield served as a Confederate artillerist in the American Civil War. He was closely associated with Stonewall Jackson until the latter's death. Crutchfield lost a leg in battle, removing him from service in the field...
, Brown became acting chief of artillery of Jackson’s corps.
During the reorganization of the army after the death of Jackson, Ltg Richard S. Ewell
Richard S. Ewell
Richard Stoddert Ewell was a career United States Army officer and a Confederate general during the American Civil War. He achieved fame as a senior commander under Stonewall Jackson and Robert E...
took charge of II Corps. Col Brown became the commander of the artillery reserve of the corps. The battalions of Capt Willis J. Dance
Willis J. Dance
-Pre-War:Willis Jefferson Dance was born in Virginia on June 21, 1821. In 1860, Dance lived in Eggleston's District in Powhatan County, Virginia, using the Post Office at Powhatan Court House. Age 38, he was married to Margaret C. Dance, age 37. Dance had real estate valued at $3,500 and...
, formerly Brown’s own, and Ltc William Nelson served under him. Dance's battalion played a part in the Second Battle of Winchester. Their guns reached the field at the Battle of Gettysburg
Battle of Gettysburg
The Battle of Gettysburg , was fought July 1–3, 1863, in and around the town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The battle with the largest number of casualties in the American Civil War, it is often described as the war's turning point. Union Maj. Gen. George Gordon Meade's Army of the Potomac...
but too late for the fighting on July 1. Dance’s guns were employed on Seminary Rudge and Nelson’s near Benner’s Hill on July 2 and 3. Brown is among those criticized for the failure to get ammunition trains to the front, reducing the number of guns available for the grand bombardment on July 3. Brown’s gunners helped cover the retreat of the army to the Potomac River
Potomac River
The Potomac River flows into the Chesapeake Bay, located along the mid-Atlantic coast of the United States. The river is approximately long, with a drainage area of about 14,700 square miles...
, reaching Hagerstown, Maryland
Hagerstown, Maryland
Hagerstown is a city in northwestern Maryland, United States. It is the county seat of Washington County, and, by many definitions, the largest city in a region known as Western Maryland. The population of Hagerstown city proper at the 2010 census was 39,662, and the population of the...
on July 7. They were assigned on the left of Gen Robert E. Lee
Robert E. Lee
Robert Edward Lee was a career military officer who is best known for having commanded the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia in the American Civil War....
’s defensive position near Williamsport, Maryland
Williamsport, Maryland
Williamsport is a town in Washington County, Maryland, United States. The population was 1,868 at the 2000 census and 2,278 as of July 2008.-Geography: Williamsport is located at ....
as the army waited to cross the river. Brown reported on the role of the corps' artillery in the campaign.http://www.civilwarhome.com/browngettysburgor.htm
Shortly after Gettysburg, Lee named his military secretary, BG Armistead L. Long chief of artillery of II Corps. Despite being the senior artillerist of the corps, Brown is not found on record complaining about Long’s promotion. Others, however, thought Long was promoted because of his West Point education. Brown returned to command of his battalion for the Bristoe Campaign
Bristoe Campaign
The Bristoe Campaign was a series of minor battles fought in Virginia during October and November 1863, in the American Civil War. Maj. Gen. George G. Meade, commanding the Union Army of the Potomac, began to maneuver in an unsuccessful attempt to defeat Gen. Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern...
and the Mine Run Campaign.
Before the Overland Campaign
Overland Campaign
The Overland Campaign, also known as Grant's Overland Campaign and the Wilderness Campaign, was a series of battles fought in Virginia during May and June 1864, in the American Civil War. Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, general-in-chief of all Union armies, directed the actions of the Army of the...
began, Long divided his corps artillery into two divisions. Brown took command of one. It contained the battalions of Nelson, Ltc Robert A. Hardaway
Robert A. Hardaway
-Pre-War:Robert Archelaus Hardaway was a native of Georgia – born there B. Feb. 2, 1829; but he was raised in Alabama. His parents were Robert Stanfield Hardaway and his second wife, Martha Bibb Jarratt. Hardaway was educated at St. Joseph's College , and Emory College, later Emory University, in...
and Ltc Carter M. Braxton. On May 6, 1864, while seeking a position for the guns in his division, Col Brown was killed by a sharpshooter. Gens Pendleton and Long praised their fallen lieutenant for his character and skill.