Jacob Brown (Texas soldier)
Jacob Brown | |
|---|---|
| Born | July 19, 1789 Charlton, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Died | May 9, 1846 (aged 56) Fort Texas (later Fort Brown), Texas, U.S. |
| Buried | Alexandria National Cemetery
Pineville, Rapides Parish, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1812–1846 (US Army) |
| Rank | Major |
| Commands | 7th Infantry (August 1845 - May 9, 1846) |
| Battles / wars | |
| Children | Sarah Jane Brown Van Vliet (1824 - 1917) Mary Augusta Brown Moore (1828 - 1912) |
Jacob Brown Jr. (July 19, 1789 – May 9, 1846) was an American Army officer and commander of the U.S. 7th Infantry during the Mexican–American War. Brown was mortally wounded on May 6, 1846 while leading American forces at the Siege of Fort Texas near Brownsville, Texas.[1]
Early life
[edit]Jacob Brown Jr. was born in Charlton, Massachusetts on July 19, 1789. His parents were Jacob Sr. and Mary (née Wells) Brown. Jacob Sr. was a revolutionary soldier during the American Revolutionary War. Jacob Sr. died in 1845 in Clarksburg, Massachusetts.
Military career
[edit]Brown enlisted in the 11th United States Infantry on August 3, 1812,[2] during the War of 1812. He was commissioned as an ensign in the 11th Infantry on April 15, 1814. On May 17, 1815, Brown transferred to the 6th Infantry where he served as regimental quartermaster from April 16 to June 1, 1821. He eventually became a lieutenant in the 7th Infantry. In 1825 he was promoted to captain, and to the rank of major in 1843. In August of 1845 he assumed command of the 7th Infantry.
Under orders from Zachary Taylor, Brown's regiment was selected to garrison the earthen fort across the Rio Grande from Matamoros, Mexico. Major Jacob Brown commanded the 7th Infantry in the early stage of the siege of Fort Texas.
Brown was hit by a shell on May 6, 1846, during the siege and died from his wounds on May 9, 1846.[2] Fort Texas was later renamed Fort Brown in his honor, with the city of Brownsville, Texas deriving its name from the fort.[3]
Promotions
[edit]| Private, August 3, 1812 | |
| Ensign, April 15, 1814 | |
| Third Lieutenant, May 1, 1814 | |
|
Second Lieutenant, September 1, 1814 |
|
First Lieutenant, August 18, 1819 |
|
Captain, April 7, 1825 |
|
Major, February 27, 1843 |
References
[edit]- ^ "Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant". Retrieved 2020-05-23.
- ^ a b "Brown, Jacob". Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved 11 February 2025.
- ^ Cutrer, Thomas. "Brown, Jacob". Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved 10 July 2022.
External links
[edit]
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