The local Confederate regiment, the 13th Kentucky Cavalry (originally this unit was organized as the 10th Kentucky Mounted Rifles), was stationed in a large bottom west of Whitesburg that was owned by John Caudill. It was not long before families from both sides were constantly accusing each other of bushwhacking (firing on a person while hiding in the bushes, ambush style). It truly was a “Brother against Brother” war for the mountain residents of southeastern Kentucky. These small-scaled shootings usually pitted family against family and neighbor against neighbor. Throughout the war, no major battles involving thousands of men were fought in Eastern Kentucky but constant fighting, small battles, skirmishing and ambushes occurred daily in the isolated mountains. Ben was a member of the Union home guard as were some of his brothers and a son. During the War Between the States, the Brown family was pro-union while most of their neighbors supported the southern cause. He was the son of John Quincy Brown (first school teacher in Letcher County and a veteran of the War of 1812) and Elizabeth Caudill (daughter of Stephen and Sarah Caudill). His farm was on Dry Fork Creek of the North Fork of the Kentucky River about four miles from Whitesburg. Ben was a farmer, operated a small grain mill, and was a part time surveyor (I am a surveyor as well). This property has been in the Brown family since Ben obtained it through land patents in 1845. I live on part of the old Benjamin “Ben” Brown farm. The Brown Family of Dry Fork During the War Between the States. Have a great spring and will talk to you later.

I am a surveyor and have lived in Letcher County all of my life. Another example of the 'brother against brother' fighting in the mountians of Southeast Kentucky.

Unfortunately, the Confederate patrol that killed John's son, Benjamin Brown, was under the command of Colonel Caudill. Colonel Caudill was John Quincy Brown's nephew. I belong to the SCV in Colonel Benjamin Caudill Camp No. I enjoy studying the Civil War and have numerous relatives in both the Confederate and Union armies. The regimental record states that Benjamin Brown died on from wounds suffered at Farmville, Virginia.

I believe that whom ever transcribed the regimental records confused the death of Benjamin S. There were two Benjamin Browns in the 21st, Benjamin that enlisted Ma(same time as his brothers) and Benjamin S. John Quincy Brown's brother, George Brown, also had a son named Benjamin Brown that was in the 21st Virginia Cavalry. It has been passed down from son to son until it is now mine. I live in Letcher County, Kentucky on part of the farm that Benjamin Brown obtained from land grants in 1842. and Elizabeth Caudill Brown) by contacting -Ģ. Much more genealogical data and Brown family history, or mini-biographies, and pictures are available on the siblings and their parents (John Q. This George and his wife, Abigail Osborne Brown, are the great great grandparents of Dan Brown, the submitter. Valentine also had a son named George Brown b. Brown who is the son of Valentine Brown of Ireland. Dan hopes that by posting this info on the internet, that other family members, researchers or historians will contact Dan or Richard and/or also contribute or post additional info.īenjamin Brown, the primary subject of this story, is the son of John Q. Dan is a cousin of Richard Glenn Brown and has Richard’s permission to post and otherwise use this info. This family history of Benjamin Brown has been submitted by Dan Brown. The Brown Family of Dry Fork During the War Between the States

Quincy brown line