1st soldier shot in the Civil War meets Lincoln

[HerbS]

Today a Kiwanis friend of mine told me that her great-grandfather was the first person shot in the Civil War.He also got to meet Lincoln at a troop review.It was a big thrill for him,and also for me to find fact out! WOW!

[LincolnMan]

I wonder how it was verified that he was the first soldier shot.

[L Verge]

Would love to know the history because two sources that I found name two different men as the first casualties of the war - and neither of them lived after being shot. The first was Pvt. Daniel Hough, whose gun discharged prematurely during the surrender ceremonies at Ft. Sumter on April 14, 1861. Can't get much earlier in the war than that.

A second source claims that Union Pvt. Thornsbury Bailey Brown was the first Union soldier to be killed by a Confederate on May 22, 1861, at Fetterman, VA (now WV).

Anyone remember the date of Elmer Ellsworth's death in Alexandria, Virginia, at the Marshall House?

[Thomas Kearney]

May 24, 1861 Elmer Ellsworth was killed.

[L Verge]

Very good; so two days after Pvt. Brown. In all three of these cases, however, we are talking about them being killed. If Herb's friend is telling the truth, where and when might her ancestor have been shot and survived?

[HerbS]

He was shot in West Virgina,and I will check AGAIN for authenticity!

[L Verge]

There was no West Virginia in 1861, but that's sure narrowing down the search. See if the town of Fetterman means anything to your friend. Her ancestor might have been shot at the same skirmish that killed Pvt. Brown.

[HerbS]

Thanks Laurie,I will check that out.

[HerbS]

My friend's information checks out-OK! I can now sleep easier than before this information checked out!However,it's ok to doubt historical stories if you need proof for everything.

[HerbS]

Pvt.Brown was killed in Grafton,Western Virginia which is now,West Virginia.Fetterman,West Virginia is near Grafton.He was killed by Daniel Knight,from the same town[ruffian] who got into a fight with the night before.Brown[Union] was shot in the head and died.Knight[Rebel] was shot in the ear and lived.

[L Verge]

Pvt.Brown was killed in Grafton,Western Virginia which is now,West Virginia.Fetterman,West Virginia is near Grafton.He was killed by Daniel Knight,from the same town[ruffian] who got into a fight with the night before.Brown[Union] was shot in the head and died.Knight[Rebel] was shot in the ear and lived.

Thanks, Herb! That's the exact same story that I had read on one of the internet sites. Your friend should be honored to have a slice of little-known Civil War history.

[HerbS]

Thank you Laurie! My friend feels tremendous.We should all read that story.They hold a family reunion there in West Virginia every year!What a fantastic experience that must be for the entire family!