Preface

Having only recently discovered the military history of my great grandfather, Samuel Thomas Brown,  I have decided to chronicle the experiences of his regiment. It is not my intent to provide overly detailed or analytical accounts of the several major battles in which they were engaged nor to provide an historical fiction of a composite character, but simply to celebrate the three years of service volunteered by the men from Ohio County Kentucky and nearby locales that formed the 17th and 25th Kentucky Volunteer Infantries, USA.

Being granted the convenience of timing, these posts will generally be in the "150 Years Ago, Today" format, with some historical reflections and background posts to provide continuity.  The hope is to allow the reader to appreciate not only the gallantry and savagery of battle, but also give a general impression of the pace and duration of the conflict for an active regiment in the cultural upheaval known as The American Civil War.

For S.T. Brown, the upheaval was very real and would last beyond his lifetime.  His participation created a rift in the family that was never healed.  His grandchildren only recall him speaking of Jared, his eldest brother, and never any mention of his other siblings or the time spent in service of his country.  Unlike his brothers, he was not granted any portion of the family farm upon the death of his father although no unkind words were ever heard by his descendants.  He was remembered as a serious and quiet man by his grandchildren.  

Three years after the unit was mustered out of service, he would marry Charlotte, the sister of William P. Render, Co.B, 17th Kentucky Volunteer Infantry.  Both Samuel and his brother Jared Brown are buried in the Render family cemetery at West Providence Church., Rosine, KY.  His father Isaac, and other family members are interred in the Brown family cemetery near the Hopewell community. 

There was a sense in the family that unheralded service equated with insignificant service. Nothing could be further from the truth.  As the Sesquicentennial Anniversaries are celebrated over the course of the next three years, please return to this blog and check in on the brave men of the 17th KY.