Fort Taylor was renamed Fort Brown on May 17, 1846, in honor of Major Jacob Brown of the 7th Infantry, who died here on May 9, 1846, in its defense. It was garrisoned by the 7th Infantry with Companies "I" of the 2nd Artillery and "E" of the 3rd Artillery. Its original dimensions were an earthwork with an 800-yard perimeter, six bastion walls 9 1/2 feet high, a parapet 15 feet wide, and a ditch 8 1/2 feet deep and 15 to 20 feet wide.