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Frank Brownell's Medal of Honor

National Museum of American History

Object Details

recipient
Brownell, Frank E.
referenced
Ellsworth, Elmer E.
Description
Physical Description
Brass-colored metal on ribbon.
Specific History
Congressional Medal of Honor awarded to Frank E. Brownell, private, Company A, 11th New York Infantry. On May 24, 1861, Brownell killed James W. Jackson, who killed Brownell's commanding officer, Colonel Elmer Ellsworth. Ellsworth was the first Union officer killed in the Civil War. He was shot by Jackson as he lowered a Confederate flag flying from the Marshall House Inn in Alexandria, Virginia. Seconds later, Brownell shot and bayoneted Jackson. Brownell received two Medals of Honor; the first one issued to him was inscribed on the reverse: "The Congress to Sergeant Frank E. Brownell Co. 4 11th New York Volunteers." Brownell was not pleased with the inscription and sent the medal back. He was given a new medal with an inscription he had written himself: "The Congress to Sergt. Frank E. Brownell, 11th N.Y. Vol Inf'y for gallantry in shooting the murderer of Col. Ellsworth at Alexandria, VA, May 24, 1861."
ca. 1863
ID Number
AF.6955
accession number
30411
catalog number
6955
Object Name
medal of honor
Physical Description
bronze (overall material)
silk (overall material)
Measurements
overall: 4 1/2 in x 2 1/4 in x 1/2 in; 11.43 cm x 5.715 cm x 1.27 cm
associated place
United States: Virginia, Alexandria
See more items in
Military and Society: Armed Forces History, Military
Military
ThinkFinity
Exhibition
Price of Freedom
Exhibition Location
National Museum of American History
National Museum of American History
Subject
Medal of Honor
Civil War
related event
Civil War
Civil War and Reconstruction
Record ID
nmah_1301433
Metadata Usage (text)
CC0
GUID (Link to Original Record)
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746ab-e479-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

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