1st Sergeant Edward J. Brooks's,  2nd Regiment Infantry, Company I 


This account of the Civil War history of 1st Sergeant Edward J. Brooks's has
been compiled from North Carolina Troops: 1861-1865, pp. 372 ff by Allen J.
Barwick.

Summary:
Resided in Lenoir County and enlisted in Craven County at age 19, June 6, 1861,
for the war.  Mustered in as Private. Wounded and captured at Sharpsburg,
Maryland, September 17, 1862.  Confined at Fort McHenry, Maryland, until paroled 
and sent to Fort Monroe, Virginia. for exchange on December 8,1862. Declared 
exchanged at City Point, Virginia, December 10,1862.  Appointed Corporal on 
February 1, 1863, and promoted to 1st Sergeant on June 28, 1863. Present or 
accounted for until captured at Kelly's Ford, Virginia, November 7, 1863.  Confined 
at Point Lookout, Maryland, until paroled and sent to Cox's Landing, James River, 
Virginia, for exchange on February 13, 1865.  Exact date of exchange not reported.  
Appears as present on a roll of a detachment of paroled and exchanged prisoners 
at Camp Lee, near Richmond, Virginia, dated February 18, 1865.("North Carolina 
Troops 1961-1965, A Roster," Compiled by Louis H. Manarin, Vol. III, Infantry, 
Raleigh, NC State Division of Archives and History, 1971, p. 463) 

June 6, '61   Enlisted in Beauregard Rifles and the "Beaufort Rifles" in Lenoir
County. Assigned to the 2nd Regiment Infantry, Company I at Camp Advance,
Garysbury, Northhampton County, North Carolina.
July 19, '61  Reported in Richmond
Winter 61-62  At Camp Potomac, King George County where they were stationed to
guard the fortifications near the mouth of the Potomac Creek and to protect the
citizens of the county from marauding parties of the enemy.
March 22, '62 Receive orders to move to Goldsboro, N.C.
April 30, '62 Ordered to Wilmington, N.C. then Confederate Point to strengthen
fortification at New Inlet.
June 17, '62  Ordered back to Richmond.  Assigned to Brigadier General Samuel
Garland's Brigade, Major General D. H. Hill's Division.
June 26, '62 Moved to Chickahominy Bridge on the Mechanicsville Turnpike.
Joined forces with General T.J. Jackson (Stonewall) on the Cold Harbor road.
Fighting in the Powhite Swamp, Gaine's Mill area.
June 28-29    Fighting at White Oak Swamp
July 1        Battle of Malvern Hill.  Last day of Seven Day's Battles around
Richmond.  Re. lost 2020a killed, 96 wounded.
July 4- August 28  Activities at Harrison's landing, Hanover Junction, Orange
Court House.
August 28-Sept 2, '62   Join the army of Northern Va. at Chantilly after the
Battle of Second Manassas.
Sept 4-13     Below Boonsboro. Heavy fighting at Fox's Gap.
Sept. 16-18   Battle of Antietam.  Reg. lost 13 killed and 36 wounded.  Private
Brooks wounded and captured on 17th at Sharpsburg.  Confined at Fort McHenry,
Maryland.
Dec. 8, '62   Paroled and sent to Fort Monroe, Va. for exchanged at City Point
Va.
Winter 62-63  Winter quarters at Grace Church near Fredericksburg.  Assume
Brooks rejoins the Regiment here. Appointed Corporal Feb. 1.
Spring '63    General Ramseur assumes command of Brigade.
April 29      At Hamilton's Crossing.
May 1         Ordered to report to Major General Richard H. Anderson.
May 2         Join forces with Jackson's troops at Chancellorsville.
May 3,'63     Chancellorsville campaign. Had 55 killed, 155 wounded 49
captured.  (Stonewall accidentally shot by own troops on May 3.  N.C. 18th Reg.
Stuart Dixon and Robert Smith from Alamance county.)
June 3-27     Culpeper Court House: Brandy Station to assist Cavalry (on June
9) but arrived after battle was over.  Shenandoah Valley; Cedarville,
Berryville; Cross Potomac River; Williamsport; Hagerstown; into Pennsylvania;
Chambersbury; Carlisle; Heidersburg.
July 1, 1863  In rear of division, held in reserve to support General Doles.
At 4 pm       detached to second to support O'Neal.  The enemy was pushed
through Gettysburg to the heights beyond when received order to halt and form
line of battle in a street in Gettysburg running east and west.
July 2-4      Didn't partake in any major fighting during the campaign; lost 4
killed, 127 wounded and one missing.  July 4 th commenced retreat.
July 4-November 7, 1863 Hagerstown; Darkesville; Orange, Rapidan River, Bristoe
Station, Warrenton;
Kelly's Ford.
Nov. 7, 63         At Kellys Ford, Regiment on picket duty.  Received brunt of
Federal assault.The 30th Reg. N.C. moved up to assist but failed to act in
concert.  Both regiments loose approx. 290 men captured of the 800 engaged.
The number killed and wounded ranged up to 50.  Sergeant Brooks captured and
confined Point Lookout Md.
Feb. 13, 1865      Paroled and sent to Cox's landing, James River, Va. for
exchange.
Feb. 18, 1863      Exact date of exchange not reported.  Appears as present on
a roll of a detachment of paroled and exchanged prisoners at Camp Lee, near
Richmond Va.

Submitted by 
Allen J. Barwick, Great Grand Nephew In Law of Edward Jones Brooks
4509 Waterbury Road
Raleigh, NC 27604 919-872-7592





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