The Civil War Bravards of Bracken County
At least four sons of Bracken County native Hanna Harriett Harrod Bravard would serve the Union during the Civil War. Hanna had married Benjamin Bravard in 1817. The marriage resulted in eight children. Hanna would die in the county in 1883 but her burial location is unknown.
Jesse R. - Born October 6, 1819, Jesse would marry Sarah R. Hull in Bracken County on February 21, 1842. By 1850 Jesse and Sarah had three girls, with Jesse earning a living farming. Ten years later saw four additional children added to the family. Jesse would wait until February 1864 before joining, with the rank of private, Company E of the 16th Kentucky Infantry Regiment. As of November 20th of that year he was listed as being sick in the hospital in Columbia, Tennessee. John B. Hood’s invasion of Tennessee placed Columbia square in the path of the advancing Confederates, so the story is that Jesse was placed on a train bound for Nashville, dying on November 30th somewhere near the Tennessee capitol. His brothers tried to locate his body, but were unsuccessful and it is unknown to this day where Jesse’s remains are located.
Gustavus F. - Born three days after Christmas in 1833, Gus Bravard would marry second wife Nancy J. Linville in August, 1861 (his first wife Mary would die sometime between 1858 and 1861, the union resulting in the birth of one child). However, being a newlywed did not prevent Gus from joining Company E of the 16th Kentucky, even though he left home while Nancy was with child. Gus would reenlist in January, 1864, and complete his service with the regiment until July 15, 1865. He would return to Bracken County, but only live until 1876 when he died of consumption (tuberculosis). He is buried in the Bravard Cemetery between Germantown and Brooksville.
Dudley O. - Dudley would enlist as a private on October 18, 1861 at Camp Lee, Kentucky, mustering into Company E of the 16th Kentucky Infantry on December 19th. He must have shown great promise as he was commissioned a second lieutenant in Company K of the 54th Kentucky Mounted Infantry on September 30, 1864, and hence missing the heavy fighting at Franklin, Tennessee two months later. He would be dismissed from service on May 25, 1865, returning to Bracken County. On December 3, 1873, Dudley would marry Hannah E. Poe in Brooksville. He would file for a pension on 19, 1885. In 1890 the couple were living in Augusta. Hannah would die in 1893, and Dudley would marry Mary Johnson in 1899. By 1910 the couple were living in Connersville, Indiana. Dudley and Mary would both live until 1913, dying in Butler County, Ohio. It is unknown where Dudley and first wife Hannah are buried, but second wife Mary is buried in Augusta’s Payne Cemetery.
Arthur - Born in 1836, Arthur would join Company K of the Fourth Kentucky Infantry Regiment (U.S.A.) in early 1864. Arthur missed most of the Fourth’s most notable battles, such as Mill Springs and Chickamauga. In early 1864 the regiment was sent home on furlough, the men re-enlisting in the Fourth as veterans. They were also given horses and would function as mounted infantry to the remainder of the war. The Fourth would take part in the Atlanta Campaign before chasing Hood into middle Tennessee in November and December 1864. The regiment would muster out of service on August 17, 1865. Arthur’s post war activities and final resting place are unknown.