Ephraim C Brown

(1844 - ?)
Home State: New York
Command Billet: none
Branch of Service: Infantry
Unit: 64th New York Infantry

Before the Antietam Campaign:
He enlisted as Private in 1862 in Company C, 64th NY, and served three years and five months, leaving the service as a Sergeant.

In the Antietam Campaign:
18 years old at the battle, Brown wrote the following about what he saw that day:

On reaching the Summet Barlow & Miles dismounted their horses & sent them to the rear. Ordering us by the right flank march bringing us in line of Battle lengthwase of the Hill & Ridge, when fully to the Summet not a gun yet fired nor a Reb yet seen we at this moment with right & left of Regt was but a few rods from the Reb lines steadily marching towards them & up went their flags & whiz came their bullets. Showing in a minuet their full position lying in 2 Deep Cut roads in form of a perfect L. Showing thus (This is now referred to in history books as the Sunken Road or "Bloody Lane".) At this moment Ephraim Green tapped me on shoulder saying "Eph, See this flag to our right - lets take her down." Saying "Oh", & fell backwards to the ground. I threw my right arm under him & supported him from a heavy fall. Bill Wemple steped forward raised his head to his knee & he Brave Soldier heard the Battle no more.'

After the War:
He moved to Kent County, Michigan, married the Swedish-born Matilda Peterson in 1869, and farmed his 88 acres. He also served in township and school positions.

References, Sources, and other notes:
Sources: An extract from his diary from NY and the Civil War; and
A brief bio online [site gone 2/2006] from a History of Plainfield, MI.

Birth Date: 3/10/1844 Birth State: NY

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