James Patton Brownlow facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
James Patton Brownlow
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| Born | December 17, 1842 Jonesborough, Tennessee |
| Died | April 26, 1879 (aged 36) Knoxville, Tennessee |
| Place of burial |
Red Haven Cemetery, Franklin, Tennessee
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| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ |
Union Army |
| Years of service | 1861–1868 |
| Rank |  Colonel Brevet Brigadier General |
| Unit | 1st Tennessee Volunteer Cavalry Regiment |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
| Relations | Son of Tennessee Governor and U.S. Senator William G. Brownlow, brother of Union Colonel John B. Brownlow |
| Other work | Printer, farmer, railroad superintendent |
James Patton Brownlow (December 17, 1842–April 26, 1879) was a brave officer in the Union Army during the American Civil War. He was known for his courage and smart military plans. James was the son of William G. Brownlow, a famous preacher, newspaper owner, Governor of Tennessee, and U.S. Senator.
James P. Brownlow served in many roles in the Union Army. He ended the war as a colonel leading the 1st Tennessee Volunteer Cavalry Regiment. He was so good at his job that he was later given the honorary rank of brevet brigadier general. After the war, he worked for the state of Tennessee and then on railroads. He passed away at just 36 years old.
James Patton Brownlow: A Civil War Hero
Early Life and Family
James Patton Brownlow was born on December 14, 1842. His hometown was Jonesborough, Tennessee. His father was William G. Brownlow, a well-known preacher and politician. His mother was Eliza (O'Brien) Brownlow.
James had an older brother, John B. Brownlow, who was also a Union Colonel. He also had five sisters: Susan, Mary, Annie, Fannie, and Caledonia Temple. James married Belle Cliffe, but they did not have any children. He went to Emory and Henry College in Emory, Virginia.
Joining the Union Army
When the American Civil War began, James P. Brownlow stayed loyal to the Union. This was like his father and most people in eastern Tennessee. In 1861, he joined the Tennessee militia as a private.
His regiment, the 4th Tennessee Infantry (Union), was formed in November 1861. James P. Brownlow was chosen as a captain. In April 1862, his unit was meant to become the 1st Regiment of Tennessee Volunteer Cavalry. This change finally happened in November.
First Battles and Leadership
In April 1862, Brownlow's regiment joined Brigadier General George W. Morgan's division. They were part of the Army of the Ohio. They took part in the Cumberland Gap Campaign.
Brownlow showed strong leadership during this time. On August 1, 1862, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel. In September, General Morgan had to leave Cumberland Gap. His troops were in danger of being cut off by Confederate forces.
In January 1863, Brownlow's regiment moved to Nashville, Tennessee. They began operations in their home state. On February 1, 1863, Brownlow led his regiment on a scout to Franklin, Tennessee. They captured some Confederate soldiers and quickly returned.
Later in February, Brownlow led a mission to Triune, Tennessee. His cavalry regiment took about 100 prisoners. They cleared the area for their division to set up camp. His regiment often fought small battles with Confederates nearby.
Key Campaigns: Tullahoma to Chattanooga
On May 31, 1863, Brownlow was promoted to colonel of the 1st Regiment of Tennessee Volunteer Cavalry. In June 1863, his regiment joined the Cavalry Corps of the Army of the Cumberland.
They took part in the Tullahoma Campaign. This campaign forced the Confederates to retreat to Chattanooga. Brownlow's regiment helped protect the Union Army after the Battle of Chickamauga in September 1863.
Confederate Major General Joseph Wheeler then tried to cut off Union supplies. Brownlow's regiment chased Wheeler's forces. They rode over 300 miles in just eight days. A few days later, they attacked a Confederate division at night.
In November 1863, the 1st Tennessee Cavalry fought Confederate soldiers and guerrillas. They drove them away from Sparta, Tennessee.
The Knoxville Campaign
On December 7, 1863, Brownlow's division headed to Knoxville. Union forces there were being threatened by Confederate Lieutenant General James Longstreet. On December 15, Brownlow's 1st Tennessee Cavalry was the first regiment to enter Knoxville. This was a special moment, as it was Colonel Brownlow's hometown.
Longstreet's attack on Knoxville had failed. He moved his forces to upper East Tennessee for the winter. Brownlow's division chased Longstreet. On December 24, 1863, Brownlow's brigade attacked a Confederate force at Dandridge. The 1st Tennessee Cavalry fought hard, losing 11 men killed.
On December 29, 1863, Brownlow's brigade was left to defend Mossy Creek. A large Confederate force attacked them. Brownlow's regiment was ordered to charge the Confederates. They charged bravely and stopped the Confederate advance.
Colonel Brownlow then took charge and ordered a saber charge. This charge pushed the Confederates back. The 1st Tennessee took 26 prisoners. Even though they were outnumbered, Union reinforcements arrived. Together, they forced the Confederates to leave the battlefield. The 1st Tennessee Cavalry lost 9 killed and 9 wounded in this battle.
Daring Escape at Fair Garden
After the Battle of Mossy Creek, Union forces went back to Knoxville. Colonel Brownlow and other officers led about a thousand men. They were watching for a Confederate force coming from North Carolina.
On January 26, 1864, Confederates were seen near Fair Garden, Tennessee. The next day, during the fighting, Colonel Brownlow got separated from his men. He was taken prisoner. He cleverly pretended to be a private soldier. He bribed a guard with a gold watch to help him escape.
His men were very happy when he returned to camp the next day. The Union troops then moved to Sevierville. On January 29, 1864, the Union cavalry camped at Maryville, Tennessee.
The Atlanta Campaign and a Brave Swim
On February 10, 1864, Brownlow's division left for Cleveland, Tennessee. They joined the Army of the Cumberland there. On May 3, 1864, they began the Atlanta Campaign.
During this campaign, the 1st Tennessee Cavalry captured an important position called Potato Hill. On May 26, 1864, they took 72 prisoners. They also captured a messenger with secret Confederate orders.
On June 3, 1864, Colonel Brownlow led his men in a charge. They drove back a Confederate force from a high hill at Acworth, Georgia. Brownlow's men held the hill. It was later called "Brownlow's Hill" in his honor.
By June 15, 1864, they reached Lost Mountain, near Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia. They fought hard to get past the Confederate defenses. On June 18, they pushed Confederates back close to Marietta, Georgia.
On July 4, 1864, Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston pulled his forces back. He destroyed most of the ferry boats on the Chattahoochee River. Brownlow's men were ordered to dislodge Confederates on the other side. They found the river too high to cross.
Brownlow came up with a very unusual plan. He had most of his men fire from their side of the river. He then led nine men about a mile upstream. They put their guns on a small raft and swam across the river.
Leaving one man to guard the raft, Brownlow led his men through the woods. They were mostly unclothed and had to move carefully. When they reached the Confederate positions, they burst out, screaming and shooting. The Confederates were so surprised that most ran away. Brownlow's men captured 12 prisoners. After swimming back, his men admired him even more for sharing the danger.
McCook's Raid and a Tough Choice
On July 9, 1864, Union forces crossed the Chattahoochee River. On July 17, Confederate General John B. Hood took command. He attacked the Union Army several times, causing many casualties.
On July 25, 1864, Union Major General William T. Sherman ordered a raid. General McCook was to lead a raid south of Atlanta. The goal was to destroy railroads and telegraph lines.
On July 27, McCook's division moved south. The 1st Tennessee Cavalry reached Palmetto Station, Georgia. They destroyed telegraph lines, the depot, and supplies. They then moved to Lovejoy Station, destroying more facilities.
General McCook waited for another Union general, but he didn't arrive. McCook left just as Confederate cavalry approached. Brownlow's brigade had to fight their way out, suffering some losses.
The brigade reached Newnan, Georgia, on July 30, 1864. They began destroying more railroad and telegraph lines. Soon, McCook's division was surrounded by a larger Confederate force. McCook considered surrendering.
Brownlow refused to surrender. He said Southern Unionists were treated worse by Confederates. Brownlow led his brigade in a desperate escape attempt. He found a small bridge and a way out. His remaining force got ahead of the Confederates.
They reached the Chattahoochee River at Rotherwood. They started crossing in two small canoes. Some soldiers swam with their horses. Brownlow swam back and forth many times to help men cross. About 200 to 300 men crossed before Confederates arrived. Many exhausted men were captured. Brownlow and a small group reached Marietta on August 1.
Wounded in Battle and War's End
By August 12, Brigadier General Croxton was back in command. His brigade was sent to Nashville for new horses and supplies. Soon after, they faced Confederate Major General Joseph Wheeler's forces. Wheeler was raiding into Tennessee.
On September 1, 1864, the 1st Tennessee Cavalry fought Wheeler's men. They were trying to destroy the railroad near Lavergne, Tennessee. Wheeler then turned his attention to Franklin, Tennessee.
Croxton's brigade arrived at Franklin just before Wheeler. Brownlow's men dismounted and reached a hilltop. Brownlow was wounded in both thighs while leading his men into battle. He had to be carried from the field. He almost bled to death before surgeons saved him.
Lieutenant Colonel Calvin M. Dyer commanded the regiment until April 1865. Wheeler was forced to retreat when Union infantry arrived. Atlanta fell to Sherman's forces while Brownlow's men were in Nashville and Franklin.
The 1st Tennessee Cavalry continued fighting without Colonel Brownlow. They made a reconnaissance mission into Mississippi in January 1865. They returned to Nashville in February. Colonel Brownlow rejoined them before they were officially discharged on June 14, 1865.
Life After the War
On January 13, 1866, President Andrew Johnson nominated Brownlow for an honorary rank. He was given the title of brevet brigadier general of volunteers. This rank was confirmed on March 12, 1866.
After the war, James P. Brownlow became the adjutant general of Tennessee. This happened after his father was elected governor. He wrote a report about the state's military forces from 1861 to 1866.
In December 1866, Brownlow was appointed a captain in the 8th United States Cavalry Regiment. He resigned in 1868 because he didn't want to be posted far away in California.
After that, he worked as a railroad superintendent for the Knoxville and Kentucky Railroad. He was also a farmer and a printer. James Patton Brownlow died in Knoxville, Tennessee, on April 26, 1879. He was only 36 years old. He is buried in Rest Haven Cemetery, Franklin, Tennessee.
