John Milton Brannan

Background

John Milton Brannan was born on July 1, 1819 in the District of Columbia, near the city of Washington.

Education

Brannan early took an interest in military affairs, and in 1837 secured appointment to the United States Military Academy from the state of Indiana, graduating with the class of 1841, number twenty-three in a class of fifty-two members.

Career

On July 1, following graduation from the United States Military Academy, he was commissioned a brevet second lieutenant of artillery, and went for his first station to Plattsburg, New York, where he had considerable field service during the border disturbances of 1841-42. He received his full second lieutenancy, May 16, 1842. The outbreak of war with Mexico found Brannan a first lieutenant of artillery, and on April 17, 1847, he was appointed adjutant of his regiment, the historic 1st Artillery.

It is interesting to note that at this time the commissioned roster of Brannan's regiment included such names as Joseph Hooker, Irvin McDowell, John B. Magruder, Ambrose P. Hill, and Thomas J. ("Stonewall") Jackson, all of whom distinguished themselves during the Civil War. Brannan took part with his regiment in the siege and occupation of Vera Cruz, and in the subsequent battles of Cerro Gordo, La Hoya, Contreras, and Churubusco, the regiment suffering severe losses in both officers and men.

At Churubusco especially, the 1st Artillery was subjected to Mexican artillery fire of round-shot and grape, and to rifle fire from hostile infantry, stationed on the roof and in the windows of the Convent of San Pablo. The Mexican position was gallantly assaulted and taken, and official records show that Lieutenants Brannan and Seymour were the first officers of their regiment to enter the enemy's works. For this and for similar gallantry in the previous battle of Contreras, Brannan was brevetted captain, August 20, 1847.

After the surrender of the Mexico city, the 1st Artillery formed, for a time, part of the American army of occupation.

Returning to the United States, Brannan was promoted captain, November 4, 1854; served at various frontier stations with organizations of his regiment; and in 1856-58 engaged in military operations against the hostile Seminole Indians in Florida.

With the outbreak of the Civil War, Brannan was appointed brigadier-general of volunteers, and as commander of the difficult Department of Key West, Florida, directed operations on the St. John's River, involving the enemy's evacuation of Jacksonville and the action of Pocotaligo, South Carolina, October 24, 1862. For his services at Jacksonville, Brannan was brevetted lieutenant-colonel in the regular army, September 25, 1862.

Promoted a major in the regular service, August 1, 1863, he was actually commanding a division in the action of Hoover's Gap, the advance of the Army of the Cumberland on Tullahoma, the action at Elk River, and the battle of Chickamauga. For services in this battle, he was brevetted a colonel, September 20, 1863.

He was chief of artillery, Army of the Cumberland, and commanded the Artillery Reserve with supervision of the defenses of Chattanooga until the summer of 1864. Meanwhile, he was present at the battle of Missionary Ridge, November 25, 1863, and accompanied General Sherman on his Georgia campaign, with engagements at Resaca, Dallas, and Kenesaw Mountain.

On January 23, 1865, he was brevetted a major-general of volunteers, and on March 13 of the same year brigadier-general, United States Army, for gallant and meritorious services in the Atlanta campaign. On the latter date, too, he received the brevet of major-general in the regular army, for gallant and meritorious services in the field during the war. Brannan was honorably mustered out of the volunteer service, May 31, 1866, and like many distinguished officers holding important commands during the war between the states, went back to duty as a regimental field officer, in the comparatively monotonous routine of peace-time army posts.

He commanded the garrison at Ogdensburg, New York, at the time of the threatened Fenian Raids; was promoted lieutenant-colonel, 4th Artillery, January 10, 1877; was transferred back to the 16t Artillery, March 16, 1877; and was in command of the troops during the Philadelphia railroad riots of the latter year.

He received his long delayed promotion to colonel, 4th Artillery, March 15, 1881, and was retired from active service, April 19, 1882. Until his death, he resided in New York City.

Brannan died in New York and was buried at Woodlawn Cemetery. He was reinterred at the West Point Cemetery.

Achievements

• Brannan's life was characterized by the marked devotion to the military duty. Throughout the duration of his career John Milton Brannan had a great deal of significant achievements, which led him to a promotion to the rank of Civil War Union Brigadier General. At the early days, because of his considerable field service during the border disturbances of 1841-42 while stationing at Plattsburg, New York, he was promoted to the full second lieutenancy on May 16, 1842, and on outbreak of war with Mexico he was appointed adjutant of his regiment, the historic 1st Artillery. During the war with Mexico in the final operations against the Mexican capital, Brannan took part in the historic assault on the Belen Gate, which led to the capture of the castle of Chapultepec. After returning to the United States he was engaged in military operations against the hostile Seminole Indians in Florida. And during Civil War he was a commander of the difficult Department of Key West, Florida, directed operations on the St. John's River, involving the enemy's evacuation of Jacksonville and the action of Pocotaligo, South Carolina. For this service at Jacksonville he was brevetted lieutenant-colonel in the regular army on September 25, 1862. After such services as commanding a division in the action of Hoover's Gap, the advance of the Army of the Cumberland on Tullahoma, the action at Elk River, and the battle of Chickamauga he was brevetted a colonel on September 20, 1863. Also, in the siege and surrender of the city of Atlanta, he commanded the Union artillery with distinction. After that he was promoted to the rank of brigadier-general for his gallant and meritorious services in the Atlanta campaign. And finally, he received his long delayed promotion to Colonel of the 4th Artillery on March 15, 1881, and was then retired from active service. Here is the list of battles he took part in during the Mexican-American War: Battle of Cerro Gordo, Battle of Contreras, Battle of Churubusco, Battle of Mexico City. American Civil War battles that he is notable for: Battle of Saint John's Bluff Battle of Chickamauga, Chattanooga Campaign, Atlanta Campaign. Battery Brannan at Fort Worden, Washington was named in his honor.

Religion

After the surrender of the city, the 16t Artillery formed, for a time, part of the American army of occupation; and Brannan's name is found in the list of the original members of the Aztec Society, organized in the City of Mexico by American officers, to commemorate the successful termination of their country's first great war on foreign soil.

Membership

Brannan's name is found in the list of the original members of the Aztec Society, organized in the City of Mexico by American officers, to commemorate the successful termination of their country's first great war on foreign soil. Brannan was also a member of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States.

Personality

His sympathetic interest in the welfare of his soldiers was particularly shown during the serious yellow fever epidemics of 1847, 1873, and 1874. During the wavering tide in the battle of Chickamauga, his buoyant optimism and inspiring words did much to snatch victory from defeat. He was a gallant, resourceful soldier, whose name is closely identified with distinguished service in two of his country's greatest wars.

Connections

Brannan's first wife was the daughter of Colonel Ichabod Crane. They were married on September 16, 1850 in Key West, Monroe, Florida. It is believed that she was murdered after her mysterious disappearance when she took a ferry from Staten Island to lower Manhattan.

Father:

John Brannan

Wife:

Eliza (Crane) Wyman

Daughter:

Alida Brannan

associate:

George H. Thomas

Major General He served at the last Union defense line at Horseshoe Ridge with Major General George H. Thomas, and with most of his army routed behind him.

References

• Civil War High Commands
• Generals in Blue : Lives of the Union Commanders
• Appletons' Cyclopaedia of American Biography (6 Vols)
• Biographical Dictionary of the Union: Northern Leaders of the Civil War
• The twentieth century biographical dictionary of notable Americans ... editor-in-chief, Rossiter Johnson ... managing editor, John Howard Brown (Volume 8)