NORWICH – The Norwich Civil War Round Table held their first commemorative event to honor two of the unrecognized heroes of the Civil War, James Brownell and Charles Babcock. Both were members of the 114th Regiment NYSV, and among the many men that fought for their country in the War Between the States from 1861 to 1865. The two were honored in a ceremony at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Norwich on Sunday afternoon.

Pvt. James Brownell of Co. B, was born in Edmeston, on Dec. 21, 1842. He died on July 27,1928 and is buried in Mt. Hope Cemetery, Norwich. Until now, his grave had gone unmarked as a soldier of this war. James was one of few who never received a wound during the war and was an outstanding soldier. He was only 19 when he enlisted at Norwich on Aug. 6, 1862 to serve three years. He mustered in as a Private in Co. B and mustered out with his Company on June 8, 1865 at Washington, DC.

James had only two children to carry on his family tradition. After returning from the war, he settled down in Columbus, and then moved to Norwich. He was a railroad carpenter by trade. There is very little known today about James, as a distant descendant, Gerald Brownell, discovered while researching him. Gerald honored James at the grave site to let him know that he has not been forgotten, even after all these years.