Wilson Brown (Medal of Honor) facts for kids

Wilson Brown (1841 – January 24, 1900) was a brave sailor in the Union Navy during the American Civil War. He received the Medal of Honor, which is the highest award for bravery a person can get in the American military.

Wilson Brown's Early Life

Wilson Brown was born in 1841 in Natchez, Mississippi. At that time, he was born into slavery on a place called Botany Bay Plantation. When the Civil War started, he was working on Carthage plantation.

Joining the Navy

In March 1863, Wilson Brown joined the Navy from his home state. He became a landsman, which was a rank for new sailors. He was assigned to the ship USS Hartford. This ship was the main ship, or flagship, of Rear Admiral David Farragut's fleet.

Heroism at Mobile Bay

On August 5, 1864, a big battle happened at Mobile Bay. Admiral Farragut led 18 Union ships, including the Hartford, into the bay. The bay was controlled by the Confederate forces.

Under Fire

As the ships entered the bay, they faced heavy fire. Cannons shot at them from Fort Morgan, Fort Gaines, and Confederate ships. Wilson Brown and five other sailors were working below deck. They were loading and operating a device called a shell whip. This device lifted heavy boxes of gunpowder up to the ship's cannons.

A Direct Hit

Suddenly, a Confederate shell exploded right where they were working. The explosion was powerful. Wilson Brown was thrown through a hatch, which is an opening in the deck. He landed unconscious on the deck below. Another sailor was killed instantly and landed on top of him.

Returning to Duty

Only one other sailor, John Lawson, survived the blast. He was thrown against a wall and was stunned. Even though Lawson was wounded in the leg, he refused medical help. He went right back to working the shell whip. After Wilson Brown woke up, he did the same thing. Both men kept working, making sure the ship's guns had enough powder. They continued their important job for the rest of the battle.

Medal of Honor

Because of their incredible bravery and dedication, both Wilson Brown and John Lawson were awarded the Medal of Honor. They received this high honor four months later, on December 31, 1864. Wilson Brown's medal was part of General Order #45, which recognized 147 sailors and marines.

Life After the War

After the war, Wilson Brown was honorably discharged from the Navy. He returned to Natchez, Mississippi. He married Lucinda Brown, but she passed away in 1886 or 1887. Later, he married Lizzie Ramsey (Brisco) in 1888. Wilson and Lizzie did not have any children. They owned a home and some land near the Natchez National Cemetery.

Final Years

Wilson Brown passed away on January 24, 1900, when he was 58 or 59 years old. He was buried in the Natchez National Cemetery in his hometown. Wilson Brown is remembered as one of only eight African-American sailors to receive the Medal of Honor during the Civil War.