BUST VIEW OF GENERAL WILLIAM T. H. BROOKS

$125.00 SOLD

Quantity Available: None

Item Code: 259-117

Vignette image shows Brooks in the uniform of a brigadier general.

Image is clear with very good contrast and only light surface dirt from age and storage.

Reverse has a photographer’s imprint for R. W. ADDIS… WASHINGTON, D.C. and a nice clear period ink inscription that reads “BRIG. GENL. BROOKS COMDG 1ST DIV, 6TH CORPS.”

William Thomas Harbaugh Brooks was born in New Lisbon (now Lisbon), Ohio on January 28, 1821. He was educated in public schools and graduated from the United States Military Academy, ranking 46th out of 52 students in the Class of 1841. Appointed a second lieutenant, he served on garrison and frontier duty.

Brooks saw action in both the Seminole and Mexican Wars. He participated in the battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma in 1846. He was heavily involved in the action in at Monterrey, and received a brevet to captain for "gallant and meritorious conduct." The following year Brooks was at the Siege of Vera Cruz and the battles of Cerro Gordo, Ocalaca, Contreras, and Churubusco. He received a brevet promotion to major August 20, 1847, for gallant and meritorious conduct at Contreras and Churubusco. He served on the staff of Gen. David E. Twiggs for the rest of the war.

Brooks was promoted to captain, 3rd U.S. Infantry, November 10, 1851, then served on frontier duty in the New Mexico Territory until 1858, at times skirmishing with local Navajos. He then served at Fort Clark, Texas, until 1861, when he returned to the East for garrison duty at Fort Hamilton, New York, where he was stationed when the Southern states seceded.

With the outbreak of the Civil War, Brooks was appointed brigadier general of volunteers in September 1861. He commanded the 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division of the IV Corps in the Peninsula Campaign, and the 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division of the VI Corps at the Seven Days Battles, where he was wounded at Savage's Station. Recovering, he resumed command of his brigade for the Maryland Campaign and led his men at Crampton's Gap, where they captured a Confederate battle flag belonging to the 16th Virginia Infantry. At Antietam, Brooks's brigade was mainly in reserve, although under "galling fire of both artillery and sharpshooters" for 48 hours.

Promoted to divisional command, Brooks led the 1st Division of VI Corps at Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. In June 1863, he was promoted to major general of volunteers, but this was later revoked. This demotion has been blamed on Brooks's being involved in intrigues by VI Corps commanders against Maj. Gen. Ambrose Burnside after Fredericksburg. During the Gettysburg Campaign, he commanded the Department of the Monongahela, with his headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He supervised the construction of a series of earthworks to protect the city from a possible Confederate raid. Returning to field duty in the late spring of 1864, Brooks commanded the 1st Division of XVIII Corps at Cold Harbor and Petersburg. In July 1864, he was forced to resign from the Army due to poor health and returned home.

After the war, Brooks retired to Alabama and established a farm. He died in Huntsville, Alabama on July 19, 1870 and is buried there in Maple Hill Cemetery.  [ad]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THIS ITEM, AS WITH ALL OTHER ITEMS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB SITE,

MAY BE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR LAYAWAY PROGRAM.

FOR OUR POLICIES AND TERMS,

CLICK ON ‘CONTACT US’ AT THE TOP OF ANY PAGE ON THE SITE,

THEN ON ‘LAYAWAY POLICY’.

THANK YOU!

Inquire About BUST VIEW OF GENERAL WILLIAM T. H. BROOKS

For inquiries, please email us at [email protected]

featured item

ARMED CONFEDERATE LIEUTENANT COLONEL

This uncased eighth-plate tintype is a very clear studio view of a Confederate lieutenant colonel wear frock coat, narrow brim hat, gauntlets and tall boots. He has tilted his hat slightly to one side and wears a sort of tight-lipped smile. His… (1138-2029). Learn More »

Upcoming Events

28
Mar

April 13-14: Spring Gettysburg Military Antiques Show Learn More »

Instagram