From NKAA, Notable Kentucky African Americans Database (PIONEERS & PATRIOTS: Anderson County Military Servicemen, Revolutionary War - WWI)
Brannon, Sanford
(born: c. 1832) Brannon was born a slave in Anderson County about 1832 but moved at an unknown time to the deep south.During the Civil War, Sanford walked away from slavery either as a runaway or through the Emancipation Proclamation.
He made his way to Providence, Louisiana, where on May 1, 1863 he volunteered for service in the Union Army, and on May 13 was officially mustered into service as a private in Company E of the 48th United States Colored Infantry Regiment at Goodrich Landing, Louisiana.
At the time of his enlistment, he stated that he was 31 years old and a native of Anderson County, KY.
The regiment remained at Goodrich Landing, Louisiana until January 1864, when it was detailed to Vicksburg, Mississippi. From February 1 until March 8, 1864, the regiment took part in the Yazoo River Expedition, where it engaged in actions at Liverpool Heights, Mississippi on February 4; Satartia, Mississippi on February 7; and after the fall of Yazoo City, occupied that town until March 6, 1864.
The regiment remained in the area surrounding Vicksburg until February 1865, when it was marched to Algiers, Louisiana to board ships for transport to Fort Barrancas, Florida.
The regiment took part in an expedition from its base in Florida to Fort Blakely, Alabama, taking part in the battle there April 2-9, 1865.
In June 1865 the regiment left Montgomery, Alabama for redeployment in Texas, where the it remained on duty along the Rio Grande River until January 4, 1866, when it was mustered from Federal service.