This Manhattan .36 caliber revolver belonged to Lieutenant Commander George Brown, U. S. Navy; it has ivory grips with an engraved eagle.
Brown was appointed a midshipman in 1849, and was promoted to lieutenant in 1856 and lieutenant commander in 1862.
In early 1863 Brown was the commander of the gunboat USS Indianola. On February 24, the Indianola was attacked by three Confederate ships below Warrenton, Mississippi. Heavy fighting erupted, and eventually Brown was forced to surrender his ship. After being held as a prisoner of war until May 25, 1863, Brown was exchanged and returned to command U.S.S. Itasca, U.S.S. Arizona and U.S.S. Cincinnati.
Following the war, Brown reached the rank of rear admiral and retired from the Navy in 1897.
Image Courtesy Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield; WICR 30266
