St. Paul daily globe., 1896-04-27
Bull Run, who would not stay at home
- SAVED MANY LIVES


1t was at the battle of Newbern, S.
c., that this little color bearer saved so
many lives by her presence of mind,
and for which she has received as high
recognition from our government as
any veteran.
The company to which she had at
tached herself was charging a battery
OF Confederate guns, and had almost
succeeded in driving the gunners from
their posts, when another command of
Union forces, coming upon the flank of
Rhode Island boys, mistook them, in
the excitement of battle, for the enemy.
A terrible cross fire was begun before
the mistake was discovered, and the
gallant soldiers were falling around
Mrs. Brownell. Without thought of
fear she seized the Stars and Stripes
from the sergeant, who had fallen, and
rushed into the fire of the advancing
command.
The soldiers ceased firing when they
discovered 'one of their own holding
high the colors, and the company was
saved. From this point the story Is bet
ter told in her own words.
II saw my husband fall" said she,
in this awful moment, but as we had
gone 20 the war expecting to be killed,
l thought he had gone first and began
to cut away the trousers from young
mans leg, that it might be properly at
tended to. After this 1 found my hus-
band. He was not dead, but suffering
terribly from a wound made by a bull
let cutting through one leg and burying
itself in the other
AS soon as it was possible we re-
turned North, and for twenty years we
have lived in this city. 1t was on ac-
count of those fearful wounds that 1
applied for the position which 1 have
a Nv 4
work and is entirely well, except when
these wounds become angry and give
him trouble and suffering. With that
fear hanging constantly over us l de-
ctded to apply for something loWly.
Knowing l could not get any great
thing"
Mr. Brownell is a stalwart looking
man, with a soldierly figure. Standing
SIX feet tall, it is hard to believe the
strong looking legs are liable to give
way at any moment. With a look of
tenderness toward his companion. he
said:
Every night and morning for more
than twenty years she has bandaged
these old legs, and, although I do suffer
hard at times, 1 have become used to
1t, and then she's always with me.
we've gone up the hill together
NEVER SEPARATED.
=, Yes" interrupted the little woman;
In thlrty-hVe years we have never been
separated twenty hours, and have
never mad even one little quarrel.
Will show you my toad sticker.
Whlch was presented me by Gov.
Sprague, of Rhode Island, of which I
am very proud" said Mrs BrownelI.
as she exhibited a handsome sword.
put 1t Is the saber which hung at her
side which she prizes more. 1t has
seen hard usage, and it's sheath and
trimmings are rusty with age, although
its blade Is kept bright
Here's the dear old flag that no
money could buy" continued the little
woman, shaking out the torn and bat
tered piece of silk that had gone through
those struggles with her. "I must
keep it tied up, else it would fall to
piecs."
"Ah! Kady, DEAR" said the soldier
husband, your flag is full of holes like
my old legs, but it will go through our
long march of life with us to the end"
By special act Of congress Mrs,
BroWnel receives a pension Of So a
month, and is in possession of the only
set of papers issued for actual service
to woman in the war, and her name is
among the other paid veterans.
Mrs. Brownell was obliged to pass a
civil service examination, and her ap-
pl1cat1on for the position was supported
by letter from Gen. Burnside, written
in 1868, in which he said: Mrs. Kady
Brownell was with my command dur
ing the campaign in North Carolina;
by her service on the battlefield of New
bern and in the hospitals located there
she saved many officers and soldiers
from death, and has earned their graft
tude and reSpect.n
Mrs. Brownell entered upon duty on
Wednesday, Dec. 18, and hopes to re-
ceive a salary Of $40 month. Mr.
Brownell had charge for eleven years Of
the j. B. Wetheral estate. In East
Seventy-sixth street, but on account Of
illness was recently obliged to give it
up, and he is now patrolman in the
department of public works, and is on
duty five days each week.