First Soldier Killed in the Civil War

*The grave site of T. Bailey Brown located in the Grafton National Cemetery.

The toll that the American Civil War had on this county is immeasurable, the loss of life and property, breathtaking. Nearly everyone, North or South, living during this turbulent period was dramatically affected. The growing tension dividing the country finally came to a head in the small town of Grafton, WV. The community like the nation was torn between the two drastically different ideologies and this dichotomy of beliefs eventually lead to violence on May 22, 1861. On this night two members of the Grafton Guards, Daniel Wilson and T. Bailey Brown went from Grafton to a rally in Pruntytown to recruit forces for the Union army. On their return that evening, the two men were ordered to halt by three Confederates, George E. Glenn, Daniel S. Knight, and William Reese, who were doing picket duty at the Fetterman Bridge* where the Northwestern Turnpike crossed the tracks of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad. Brown answered their demands with pistol fire, injuring Knight in the ear. Knight fired at Brown, killing him almost instantly. Thus, T. Bailey Brown* became the first casualty of the Civil War. A few days later, June 3, 1861, the first land battle of the Civil War was fought at Philippi, sixteen miles south of where T. Bailey Brown fell.

Information above found here.





*This marker stands roughly at the location where T. Bailey Brown was shot.
Photo By K.A. Pitzer










*Remains of the Fetterman Bridge
Photo by K.A. Pitzer





Directions to this historic site can be found here.