Thomas Brownell Tanner

From Newport, he enlisted on 11 September 1861 in Company G, 4th Rhode Island Infantry. Promoted to Corporal, date not given.

He was killed in action on 17 September 1862 at Antietam while carrying the colors; described by Lt Colonel Curtis in his after-action Report:

... [The 4th Rhode Island] was now subjected to sharp musketry fire from the front, but as the enemy showed the national flag (the corn concealing their uniform), and as our troops had been seen in advance on our right, moving diagonally across our front, the order to cease firing was given, and a volunteer officer to go forward to ascertain who was in our front was called for. Lieutenant George E. Curtis and George H. Watts immediately stepped forward, and placing themselves one on each side of the color bearer (Corporal Tanner, Company G), carried the flag up the hill within 20 feet of the rebels, when the enemy fired, killing the corporal.

Basic information from Dyer1. Burial information from his gravesite on Findagrave. Details from family genealogists.

03/07/1840; Newport, RI

09/17/1862; Sharpsburg, MD; burial in Island Cemetery, Newport, RI