Approx. 95 items, including a 178-page manuscript court record of a court martial of a Union colonel for committing "numerous outrages" upon the person of a Tennessee widow; manuscript military orders; ordnance and supply documents; etc. These all relate to the career of Edward Frederick Browne, who joined the 19th Ohio Battery in 1862, at the age of nineteen. A year and a half later he resigned to accept a 1st Lieutenant's commission in the First United States Colored Artillery (Heavy). It was from his command in the African American unit that most of the orders and documents come, revealing much of the tension and problems within such units. Following the war, Browne became a distinguished mining and railroad engineer.

Approx. 55 manuscript orders, most addressed to or concerning Browne, a few issued by him. Through these orders is revealed the pageant of war, and the career of Edwin F. Browne. In 1863, age 20, he was a private in the 19th Ohio, Volunteer Battery, described in a pass as "5 feet eleven inches high, light complexion, blue eyes, light hair, and by profession a Railroad man." The same year he appears as a corporal, and in March of 1864 he is "hereby discharged from the service" to enable him to accept a commission as "1st Lieut. in the 1st Regt. U.S. Col. Heavy Arty." With the Colored Artillery he rose to major, and was on the verge of Lieutenant-Colonel when he was mustered out in 1866. The orders include many that seem common or mundane on the surface, but they sparkle underneath, baring the complexities of military procedures. Among the more interesting, is an order to Browne on May 5, 1864, when he was a lieutenant in the "Co. C. in chg recruiting service Colored Troops. You will take a guard of fifteen (15) men of your Company and proceed to the Fair-Grounds in this City [Knoxville] and there take in charge a lot of vagrant Negroes who congregate in that vicinity in the night. And bring them to these Hdqtrs." The order is docketed on the back, with the comment "Complied with same date captured 18 men. Browne." An order in October of the same year declares that "The habit of card playing among elisted men of this command leading as it does to gambling and inattention to and negligence of military duty is hereby prohibited." The most revealing single piece of paper is a manuscript "General Orders No. 13" Before a Drum Head Court Martial which convened at Ashville North Carolina May 4th 1865 "were arraigned and tried Privates Alexander Caldwell, Alfred Cutlett, Washington Jackson, and Musician Charles Turner of Company E, U.S.C.A (Heavy). Charge: Rape. Specification: In this that on or about the 2nd day of May, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-five...did rape ravish and carnally know one Miss O. Garrison a respectable young lady at the house of Mr. R.J.D. Garrison...to which charge and specification each of the accuses pleaded not guilty. Finding: The Court having maturely considered the evidence adduced finds the accused...guilty. ...And the court does therefore sentence them...to be shot to death with musketry...the sentence will be executed tomorrow morning at sunrise..." Justice is swift and brutal. Another interesting missive is a request by Browne as to whether he should investigate "outrages committed by the two races against each other for the whole Dist. of East Tennessee or for this vicinity only..." dated January 3, 1866. About 40 supply and ordnance requisitions, returns, receipts, and related items, most partially printed and filled out in ink, including five Quarterly Return booklets. Through these highly significant documents may be traced the logistics of the war in the micro-economy of a regiment of troops, the supplies ordered, the supplies received, those returned unused. And the most significant item in the archive, the "Proceedings of the General Court Martial convened by Special Order No. 7, Paragraph V...Case Tried, John A. Shannon, Col. 1st U.S. [Colored] H. Arty." Official manuscript copy for Col. Shannon. 178 pp. Detailed record of the testimony in the case. Col. Shannon, commanding a regiment of black soldiers in Tennessee during the opening months of 1865, is accused of taking liberties with a Mrs. Mary Hodsden, widow, and also with her daughter Miss Virginia Hodsden. In addition his troops killed five of her hogs, three sheep, etc., burnt some rails, and did some other damage. The lengthy testimony is captivating, reading like some romance novel, with flirtation, suggestive remarks, caddish if not brutal behavior, jealousy, treason, and anger just beneath the surface. The accusations state that Shannon "did make an assault upon Mrs. Mary Hodsden a loyal and respectable woman" and also upon "Miss Virginia Hodsden a loyal and respectable young lady." Mary Hodsden testifies that "He caught me by my hands when he remarked that he would kiss me I jerked my hand loose and put it on my face when I felt his whiskers on my face and his hand in my bosom." After much cross-examination and more details, Virginia Hodsden is called to the stand, "After conversing some time with Colonel Shannon I made several efforts to leave the room, but he being my superior in strength forced me to remain in the room. He caught me and tried to make me sit on his lap, and also attempted to kiss me..." Later testimony reveals that the interlude lasted some 30 minutes, and that young Virginia was heard laughing gaily. She was also accused of being a Confederate letter carrier at times. Capt. Edward Frederick Browne is called on to testify in Shannon's defense, and confirms that it was Virginia Hodsden who called for Shannon to join her in the parlour, and that they were heard singing and laughing. Also, that Shannon had given instructions to utilize as little of the property as possible for the comfort of the men. The lengthy proceedings are concluded with a summation by the Judge Advocate, E.J. Brooks, "Remember that the sacred protection of the person and character of all women is the only safe guard that defends your own Mothers and Sisters, your wives and daughters, and that any infringement upon such protection is conduct that reflects upon the discipline of the whole army and is unbecoming an officer and gentleman.."