Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1896-06-05
THE MAN WE HONOR.
A Sketch of William Henry Browne,
the Gallant Colonel of the
18Th Va. Infantry.

I
narrow, well-poiscd head, and features
that were sharply cut and regular; Straw
col rel hair and bluc eyes in which always
lIrkcd Il smile slightly Dropping NOUS
tache ART Il knightly growth Of beard half
revealing and half concealing the youth
fulnoss of the f;.ce-hThold Col Browne
step out upon the canvas before YOU
/ He was the som ~ Geo. w. =. and Sarah
Anne Browne, nee Gillespie, and was born
November 9th, 1888, mtI" Sunnyside, - in
the suburbs OF TazewCll His flther was a
native of the State of Maine WIS born ut
/ Portland, the birth place of l.mfglellow
on many other notable men, and when
! quite young came to TdzeWell as an a,lvpn-
turer. He had, however, before coming
S juth graduated at BOudcin college where
he was classmate Of Frahklin Pierce
afterwards President, and Nathaniel IIaW-
throne, the novelist lie and Pierce were
intimate friends beginning when they sepa
rated correspondence that was continued
through the iHiter's administration. He
was man Of fine parts, very popular hay
ing held the cierhship for long term Of
years.
Young Browne received his elementary
education inthc public schools Of TazeweH
Major II. Britain, one of our pionee~
and m, st efficient tenrhers, was one Of his
INSTRUCTORS. He NaFa studotts and manlv
boy.
In the fall Of S5F, when he was nine
teen years of age, through the influence
of h fathers old friend, who had at that
time just retired from the Presidency, he
was appointed a cadet 20 West Point. lie
remained there until the spring of 1861
when, 10y what means we have been una
bic to ascertain, ne escaped and came
home to cast in his lot with the Confed-
eracy. From two letters printed in
another column the reader can CLEAN some
idea of his life there. At that time the
course ut Wet Point covered FIVE wears
instead of four, rs now, and he lacked
only few months of eraduntion.
After his fathers departure for Texas
in 1897 he went into- the family of Mr..
Isaac Chapman where he remained rs 4
foster son. From Mr.. Chapman we learn
that his reports were always excellent
He stood close to the head of his class.
Therefore, it was not breach of disCi-
pline, nor anything Of the kind, that
brought him home FROM West Point. 1t
was the same spiritithat manifested Itself
throughout the campaigns of the 10th
Va. Regt. He came, bringing we dare
ray, dreams of glory in his BOSOM; TO lay
his young life, so rich with promise of
noble achievement, on the altar Iof his
State.
When the Tazewell troops were' organ
lied he was elected captain Of Co: ''G."
/ 1t will be remembered that the first or
ganization took place at Camp Jackson
near Wytheville.
In the first campaign he did not evince
very marked military ability. Various
other captains in the Iegment ere
thought to be his superiors as comman-
ders. He needed more scope. The
sphere was not large enough for the opera
ton Of so expansive nature
At the reorganization May 10Th, 1852,
he succeeded Harry Heth,I Of Washing
ton, ID. c., who is now in the department.
of war, as colonel Iof the regiment This
promotion was brought about mainly
through the efforts of his fellow captains,
Hartman and Fudge. lie was now in a
position commensurate with his ability
and henceforth until he fell at Piedmont
he had tho cop6dapca apS eotoa,,, ,c -,
regiment. A lifelong friend of his writes
this of him: in every position in which
he was placed he measured in the dis
charge of his duties fully up to the expec-
tations Of his friends and of his superior
officers. He was soldieFly and command
ing in appearance. In disposition he was
gentle and mild and always considerate- of
the rights of others with whom he came'in
contact. As a commander he was cool
! deliberate, brave, of clear and accurate
judgment. He had p determination that
no obstacle could shake. As discipline
! llan he had the tact to- enforce rigid
obedience, yet with such. gentleness and
kindness as to win the love and admira-
ton of ali who were subject to his com.
2 mand"
We have not the space nor the material
t to go into the details of the operations OF
the regiment. The most important en-
gagements in which it took part were those
Of Dry Creek, Sewell Mountain, Cotton
) Hill, Cross Lanes, Cloyd's Farm and
} Piedmont.
1t was in this last battle, June 5th
1864, about two o'clock inthe afternoon
that he fell, pierced by a. nsinie, ball, al
: the head of his columns;
E Amidst the acclaim OF thousands her
, aiding to Heaven his name
: Mid all those holier harmonies of fame
1 That breathe about the names of nobl,
5 souls
Like music.round aPlanel as it rolls"