New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-04-04
DEATH RECALLS WAR EPISODE.
JUNIUS H. BROWNE. THE CORRESPONDENT.
WHO RECENTLY DIED SPENT MANY
MONTHS IN LIBBY PRISON.

The death Of Junius H Browne which occurred
home in this city, recalls dramatic episode Of the
Civil War in which he one of the prominent
figures. 1t his fate TO stand representa-
tive and martyr of the army newspaper CORE
spondents. and also hostage behalf of his
country in prison
Mr. Browne just entering his career as
journalist in Cincinnati when the anti-slavery
agitation became acute and he ardently espoused
the side of free labor. Such the excitement in
the West the firing upon the national emblem
al Sumter that the frenzy seized all classes
Unable to carry musket. for he was of slight
build and delicate, he easily persuaded to ac-
company the troops % the field and report their
doings and sufferngs to his home paper. The Trib-
une was soon added his list. After he
had followed Fremohts army across Missouri and
back the opening of the Mississippi under Admiral
Foote and Generals Grant and Sherman gave him
field of labor. After Douelson. Shiloh and
Memphis had been fought the siege of Ficksburg
succeeded Mr.. Browne. with several other col
leagues and belated officers undertook to rejoin the
main army by shott cut down the Mississippi
A fleet of armored gunboats had passed down a
few days before to protect the crossing of the
army. but the night had been stormy. and the
garrison unprepared
About May l. 1862 the little expedition started
with about hundred officers and men. in charge
of two barges of provisions The Confederates
the alert, and the moonlight was unfavor-
able for secrecy. Buildings were set af7re on both
shores to give better illumination, and for an
hour and half the little expedition became plain
target for both heavy ordnance and musketry. The
barges took fire the tug exploded and about half
of the detachment killed wounded Those
able to do so threw over hay bales and took to
swimming for dear life. The enemy, however.
came out in boats. and at the point of the bayonet
all made prisoners and taken to the Jail in
the beleaguered fortress.
The authorities Richmond were especially
pleased at the capture of two Tribune CORE
spondents (Albert D. Richardson being of the
party) and another from The World and ordered
that they he sent to Libby Prison. in the hope of
a desired exchange for well known Southern
civilians then in Northern prisons 1t is usually
optional for commanding general to detain privi-
legged non-cOmbatants or to release them parole
but In this superior orders forbade release.
1t happened that about the time OF their arrival
in Richmond the business of exchanging prisoners
of war drifting into acrimonious and stub
born dispute Secretary Stanton and General Butler
on the one side and Secretary Seldom and Colonel
Ouid on me other side contrIving to suspend All
exchanges and entail great suffering and mortality
on the prisoners for which each side laid the blame
on the other President Lincoln gave his personal
attention to offer brought an exchange of two
Nirsintans caught running the blockade for Rich
the advance Of Lee u the upper Potomac, the
one hand, ana the investment OF Eicksburg delayed
nels out to liberty. and the officers Were removed
tIIinG NJ 10 35asonry ~ Not qnti! twenty
dured privations and abuse enough TO have driven
did they regain their freedom ana then not through
the favor of the exchange officers, by esca ping
snowy mountains. iii clad and chiefly at night
Richardson and Browne finally arrived at Knox
vile. Tenn, the former to find his young wife
dead and his children committed to the of
strangers. The close of the war after led
sion Browne contributed TO several leading peri
his wife three yesr eo bp had tsken little f
In letters. art or science Three sons survive him