Brown reportedly escaped while being transferred from Lorient, disguised in a French officer's uniform, before he was recaptured. He then escaped from Verdun in 1809 with a British Army officer and made his way through German territory to England. That destination is curious for a man sometimes presented as American and whose Irish origins remained important. Brown married Elizabeth Chitty in Kent, and they agreed to raise their sons as Catholics and their daughters as Protestants. He briefly renounced maritime life, but the pause lasted only until his departure for the River Plate later that year.
Notable Point · 48:58-49:58
Brown's captivity, escape, and return to England
Brown's reported escapes from French custody and rapid return to England further complicate the credentials he later used to claim naval command.