Wilson W. Brown

Wilson Wright Brown (December 25, 1837– February 25, 1916) was a soldier and recipient of the Medal of Honor for his role in the Great Locomotive Chase during the American Civil War.

Life
Wilson Wright Brown was born December 25, 1837 in Logan County, Ohio, and enlisted September 6, 1861 at Findlay, Ohio in Company F, 21st Ohio Infantry, mustering into service September 19, 1861. He first saw action at Ivy Mountain, KY, November 8–9, 1861. Chosen for his abilities as a locomotive engineer, he took part in Andrews' Raid (Great Locomotive Chase) in April 1862. Captured by the Confederates, he was imprisoned for most of 1862 before being exchanged. Brown was awarded a Medal of Honor for his actions during the raid. He was promoted to Sergeant, November 1, 1862. He later saw action at the Battle of Stones River, December 31, 1862 - January 3, 1863, at Dug Gap, Georgia, September 11, 1863 and was wounded at the Battle of Chickamauga. He was discharged May 15, 1864.

In the years after the war, Wilson Brown remained friends with fellow raider Jacob Parrott. He married Married Clarissa Lowman, July 12, 1863. Edith Gertrude Brown, one of his eight children, subsequently married Jacob Parrott's only son, John Marion Parrott. In the 1950s Disney Studios released the movie The Great Locomotive Chase to herald the exploits of the Andrews Raid. He was portrayed by actor Stan Jones in the film. He is buried in New Belleville Ridge Cemetery, Dowling, Ohio. There is a Medal of Honor marker at grave. The nearby Ohio Historical marker erected June 27, 1965, identifies him as Medal of Honor recipient. In 2012, his descendents went to court in a dispute over possession of Brown's Medal of Honor.

Medal of Honor citation
Rank and organization: Private, Company F, 21st Ohio Infantry. Date: April, 1862. Entered service at: Findlay, Ohio Birth: Ohio. Date of issue: September 1863.

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Private Wilson W. Brown, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on April, 1862, while serving with Company G, 21st Ohio Infantry, in action during the Andrew's Raid in Georgia. Private Brown was one of the 19 of 22 men (including two civilians) who, by direction of General Mitchell (or Buell), penetrated nearly 200 miles south into enemy territory and captured a railroad train at Big Shanty, Georgia, in an attempt to destroy the bridges and track between Chattanooga and Atlanta.