BRATTON, Martha, patriot, born in Rowan County, North Carolina; died near Yorkville, South Carolina, in 1816. Her husband, William Bratton, was a colonel in the revolutionary army. In June, 1780, a party of British cavalry under Capt. Huck called at her house, and vainly, though with threats of death, tried to obtain information as to her husband's whereabouts. Even when a reaping-hook was held to her throat her mien was bold and fearless. On that same evening Col. Bratton arrived with seventy-five men, and, taking the royalists by surprise, totally defeated them. Mrs. Bratton received the wounded of both sides, and showed them impartial attention. Just before the fall of Charleston, Governor Rut-ledge intrusted to Mrs. Bratton's care a quantity of powder, and she blew it up when it was in danger of being captured by the British.

--BEGIN-Nicolas Bravo

BRAVO, Nicolas (brah'-vo), Mexican soldier, born in Chilpancingo about 1790; died there, 22 April, 1854. He took part in the first revolution in 1810, served in all the actions till 1814, and fought under Father Morelos at Acapulco. Having joined Mina's party in 1817, he was imprisoned in Mexico till 1820. He was a zealous supporter of the emperor Iturbide, and became a member 5f the regency that exercised the supreme power for forty days in 1822" but he contributed to the deposition of the emperor in 1823, and was a member of the provisional government with Generals Victoria and Negrete till 1824. In December, 1827, he headed a revolt against President Bustamante, being at the time vice-president, which office he held till April, 1829. In 1830 he commanded against the insurgents under Guerrero, who was captured and executed by Bravo's order, 17 February, 1831. In 1839 he became president of the council, and in 1842-'3 held the supreme power for a few months as substitute of Santa Anna, who was absent with the army; and he was again temporary president from 29 July till 4 August, 1846, when he was deposed by a revolution. During the war with the United States he participated in the battle of Cerro Gordo; and toward the end of 1853, being accused by Santa Anna's ministry of having secretly joined the insurrection headed by Juan Alvarez, he denied the accusation and retired from public life. His death was sudden and suspicious.