Grey Little Brown (1831-1907)

(Source: Contributed by Paula F. Kermon)

Before he enlisted in the Civil War, Grey Little Brown was a farmer and teacher in Edgecombe County. After the war, he returned to farming and teaching.

He became a “certified teacher” in 1871 as the state began to set standards (see copy of certificate).

His interest in education established the first school in Edgecombe County. He also sent three of his daughters to college in Greensboro, N.C. (the State Normal and Industrial School, aka Woman’s College aka UNCG).

Overview of Grey Brown’s War Record:

Private Grey Brown enlisted at the age of 30 on May 1, 1861 in Company G, 3rd NC Regiment (later changed to the 13th, aka The Edgecombe Rifles, as 82 of the 104 soldiers were from Edgecombe County). This was with the Scales Brigade, CSA, which became part of Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia.

In the following few months, Grey was promoted to sergeant and again to 1st Sergeant on October 15, 1861. Because of his assignnent to the Army of Northern Virginia, he fought in most of the famous battles.

As 1st Sergeant he fought in the following:

– Yorktown Siege, April and May, 1862

– Lee’s Mill, Williamsburg, May 5, 1862 (where he was wounded)

– Seven Pines, May 31 to June 1, 1862

– Seven Day Battles, June 25 to July 1, 1862 which included Gaines Mill (June 27), White Oak Swamp (June 30), and Malvern Hill (July 1)

– South Mountain, September 14, 1862

– Antietam, September 17, 1862

– Fredericksburg, December 13, 1862

As 2nd Lieutenant, commissioned on March 7, 1863, he fought in the following:

– Chancellorsville, May 1 to May 4, 1863 (he was wounded a second time on May 3)

– Gettysburg, July 1 to July 3, 1863. He was captured at Gettysburg and was a prisoner of war from July 1863 to February 1864. He was in a Washington, DC prison and, after gangrene set in, in Lincoln USA General Hospital. There was a prisoner exchange, and he was transferred to General Hospital in Petersburg, VA and later to Chimorazo Hospital #2 in Richmond, VA. Both of these were Confederate facilities. He rejoined the War about April, 1864.

– The Wilderness, May 5-6, 1864

– Spotsylvania Courthouse, May 8-21, 1864

– North Anna, May 22-26, 1864

– Cold Harbor, June 1-3, 1864

As captain, commissioned on August 8, 1864, he fought in the following:

– Petersburg Siege, June 1864 to April 1865 which included Globe Tavern (August 18-21), Reams Station (August 25), Fort Harrison (September 29-30), Jones Farm (September 30), and Hatcher’s Run (February 5-7, 1865)

Shortly before the surrender at Appomattox on April 9, 1865, Grey was promoted to major, but he never received his formal commission. He was paroled on April 10, 1865 at Appomattox and was allowed to return home (see parole document).

On September 6, 1865, Grey Little Brown signed an Oath of Loyalty to the United States.

NOTE: The North Carolina Archives accepted the box of Brown Family original documents and photographs in July, 2013, including the parole pass, Oath of Loyalty, artifacts, etc. The curator at the Archives said it was the largest body of family records from one family on site.