Brown was attending Hamilton College when he joined the Union Army in August 1862.

He served in the 126th New York Infantry, and by the time of his death was, as a captain, the senior living officer of his regiment.

He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor on March 6, 1869, for his actions at the Battle of Gettysburg which included the capture of a large number of Confederates as well as the heroic capture of a Confederate flag.

A book detailing his exploits during the Civil War was released in 2012 and is entitled "Fight All Day, March All Night" by Wayne Mahood.

Two other men of the 126th New York Infantry won the Medal of Honor for their actions at Gettysburg, Jerry Wall and George H.