Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Poetry and Incidents., Volume 4.
Frank Moore, Ed.

The Heroine of Newbern.--Mrs. Brownell, wife of Orderly Sergeant R. S. Brownell, of the Fifth Rhode Island Volunteers, accompanied her husband, who was severely wounded at Newbern, to this city, in the Cossack, and is now at the hospital of the Soldiers' Relief Association, at 194 Broadway, attending to the wants of her husband and assisting in nursing the soldiers who still remain at that place. Mrs. Brownell was with the Third Rhode Island regiment at the battle of Bull Run, having been adopted as the “child of the regiment” by Gen. Burnside, then colonel. She was on the field at the battle of Roanoke Island, in spite of many efforts to keep her out of the way of danger. At the battle of Newbern she exhibited that presence of mind and bravery which proved her a woman of the most heroic character. She was on the field during the whole of the engagement, attending to the wounded, and giving encouragement by her fortitude and presence to the soldiers. When the standard-bearer of the Sixth regiment fell, she seized the banner and while carrying it across the field received a wound. She has brought with her a Secessia rifle, which she found after the battle, and which she considers a prize of no little value. The ladies of the hospital are much interested in the brave “child of the regiment,” and bestow upon her all the kindness which she merits.