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Whereas, Jacob Brunn, born in 1828, was a local salesman and served as an interpreter for the Allegheny County Courts, having learned several languages during his seven years in the Prussian Army; and
WHEREAS, in May 1861, Captain Jacob Brunn volunteered for the Union Army, but because the quota for Pennsylvania recruits had already been filled, he and his company, the Friend Rifles, were assigned to New York's Excelsior Brigade under General Daniel E. Sickles; and
Whereas, on May 5, 1862, Captain Brunn died as the Friend Rifles led the attack in the Battle of Williamsburg, Virginia, making him the first local officer killed in the Civil War; and
Whereas, the death of Captain Brunn brought the reality of the war to the hearts of the people of Pittsburgh and Allegheny City, he was given a hero's funeral on May 26, 1862; and
WHEREAS, Captain Brunn's funeral procession began at the home of his father-in-law, Major Daniel Fickieson, an inn-keeper in Pittsburgh, members of Captain Brunn's company served as pallbearers, who had been taken prisoner by the Confederates in the same battle, but had been released, the funeral escort included the Park Zouaves, the Hambright Rifles, and the Excelsior Brass Band, which played "General Lyon's Dead March," along with many leading citizens of all creeds and nationalities to the Troy Hill Cemetery; and
WHEREAS, Professor Josiah Cohen delivered a solemn address and prayer, Captain Jacob Brunn was laid to rest in the Troy Hill Cemetery, which at the time was operated by the Bes Almon Cemetery Association, the earliest recorded Jewish organization in Pittsburgh; and
WHEREAS, the National Council of Jewish Women commissioned a statue to honor his memory and the wartime service of Pittsburgh's Jewish community, a bust of Captain Brunn was donated and is still displayed at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall in Oakland;
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NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh, does hereby recognize and honor the memory of Captain Jacob Brunn on the 150th anniversary of his death, in service to his country, the first officer from Pittsburgh killed in the Civil War, at rest in Troy Hill Cemetery, tended now by Rodef Shalom Congregation; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby proclaim Tuesday, May 8, 2012, to be "Captain Jacob Brunn Day" in the City of Pittsburgh.