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B. Richardson to a division, Brooke serving under General R. On the evening of May 31st heavy firing was heard in front, and at about four o'clock Richardson's division, which was lying about five miles from Fair Oaks, was ordered forward. They crossed the Chickahominy river on Sumner's famous grape-vine bridge," and marched quickly forward, arriving on the field about dark. Early next morning Colonel Brooke's command became engaged with the enemy, and for more than four hours were under fire. At one time they were surrounded by six times their number, but fought their way out. Colonel B., while gallantly leading his regiment, had his horse shot under him. From the opening until the close of the engagement he, with his command, fought against terrible odds, having pitted against them some of the best troops in the Confederacy. After the battle Colonel B. was complimented personally by Generals Sumner, Richardson and French, and in his official report the latter says: "For some time the most desperate efforts were made to break our lines. The Fifty-third Pennsylvania, led by the gallant Colonel Brooke, repulsed them again and again." In another place he adds: “Joining the Sixty-first New York, Colonel Brooke, of the Fifty-third Pennsylvania, instead of retiring to the second line, continued to charge the enemy." Again he says: "Upon the Fifty-second New York, Colonel Paul Frank, and the Fifty-third Pennsylvania, Colonel John R. Brooke, devolved the honor of holding that position of my line most seriously attacked under fearful odds, against the best troops of the enemy directed by their ablest commanders." In this battle of Fair Oaks, Colonel B.'s command lost ninety-seven killed, wounded and missing.

His regiment remained at Fair Oaks with the Army of the Potomac, doing picket and other duty, but were not engaged with the enemy again until June 26th, when they were ordered to the support of the Pennsylvania Reserves at Gaines' Mill, to reinforce General Fitz John Porter. Of this expedition a writer in the Irish-American says: "The timely arrival of these two brigades (French's and Meagher's), and the bold manner in which they checked the hot pursuit of the enemy, saved the

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right wing of the Army of the Potomac from being thrown into the Chickahominy river."

On the 27th of June Colonel Brooke received orders that Fair Oaks would be evacuated, and the whole Army of the Potomac fall back to the James river. At the same time his command, together with the Fifty-second New York, was detailed as part of the rear guard of the army. A writer in one of the newspapers of that day says:

"Brooke's command marched to the battery in the entrenchments on their front, and took position. The retreat commenced. First, long train of wagons, loaded with stores. The heavy guns had all been removed previously. A little after dusk the last file of the last brigade passed out, and they-Pettit's Battery B, First New York Field Artillery-were left alone. Their soldier friends were miles in their rear, but at their post of duty they stood, few in numbers, resolved to do or die. His command left Fair Oaks shortly after midnight, and came upon the main body of the army near what is called Allen's Farm, or Allendale. Brooke's regiment advanced about half a mile beyond the main line of battle. A heavy artillery and musketry fire was kept up for some time, lasting from nine o'clock to half-past ten in the morning. Meanwhile the army was passing on, and in a short time they again took up their positions as rear guard. Proceeding several miles they found the whole army in line of battle at Savage Station.

French's brigade was formed along the edge of wood, and the command of Brooke's joined them. While waiting for the enemy to appear, a fearful battle was going on in their front. They lay quiet and undisturbed until about six o'clock, although they were continually under the fire of the enemy's artillery, when the army commenced moving. They now found that they were to have the post of honor again-rear guard. It was after midnight when Colonel Brooke's men left Savage Station. Quickly they went through black and ominous-looking woods and over muddy roads, not knowing what moment the rebels would pour a murderous fire upon their little band. Day was just breaking when they came within sight of the Chickahominy river. After waiting an hour or more, Colonel Brooke was ordered to cut away and destroy the bridge, which was speedily done by the Fifty-third Regiment. The advance guard of the rebels soon after appeared on the hill opposite, and a sharp artillery fight was commenced. Several members of his regiment were wounded and two killed. As it began to grow dark, General French was informed that the enemy were attempting to rebuild the bridge. Colonel Brooke was ordered to harass them and prevent their doing so at whatever cost. At about midnight they were withdrawn, and silently took up their position beside Martin's Battery. The artillery with this exception had all been taken away, and the whole army had retired. They started forward on their perilous

march, and at about seven o'clock in the morning arrived in the general camp on the James river."

At the battle of Malvern Hill, fought the same day, Colonel Brooke's command was in the reserve, and did not become actively engaged. After this battle they retired to the James river and went into camp, nothing of interest transpiring. Colonel B. now commanded French's brigade during the time that General was in command of the division. His command left Harrison's Landing for Newport News when the Army of the Potomac retired from that place. Here they took transports for Alexandria, and were immediately marched to the front, participating in the second battle of Bull Run. From there he went on the Antietam campaign, and in that battle was in the thickest of the fight on the right, in command of a brigade. In his official report General McClellan particularly mentions Colonel Brooke and his brigade for the efficient services they rendered. Colonel B. remained with the Army of the Potomac, and while at Harper's Ferry was sent out on a reconnoissance with a large command, finding the enemy at Charlestown, where he became engaged with them. Having accomplished his object he returned to Harper's Ferry.

In the battle of Fredericksburg, Colonel Brooke's command lost heavily, going into the fight with sixteen officers and three hundred men, and coming out of it with six of the former and one hundred and thirteen of the latter, being part of the force sent to assault the enemy and drive them from Marye's Heights and from behind the famous stone wall. He remained with the army during the winter, and took part in Hooker's mud march, as also in the battle of Chancellorsville, which occurred early in May. Colonel Brooke had been assigned to the command of the Fourth Brigade, First Division, Second Army Corps, in April, 1863. Without enjoying the honor and rank he deserved and had won by desperate fighting as only a Colonel, he handled this brigade at Chancellorsville and on the march from in front of Fredericksburg to Gettysburg, where he arrived with the troops on the evening of July 1st. Early the next day his force was under arms, and in the afternoon he was ordered to move to the left of the line near Round Top, to assist in defeating Longstreet in his attempt to capture that position. He

led his brigade on a charge through that terrible fight in the wheat field, driving the enemy nearly a mile. In this fearful assault Colonel Brooke was wounded, but did not leave the field. His command was also engaged in the third day's battle at Gettysburg.

After the battle he followed in the pursuit of Lee until he passed beyond the Rapidan. In the fall of 1863, while a large number of the Army of the Potomac were in New York on duty in suppressing the draft riots, Lee made an attempt on the right of Meade's line, which resulted in various combats and compelling Meade to retire to Cartersville to more thoroughly secure Washington. In this movement Brooke was actively engaged in several engagements with the enemy. The manoeuvering of the armies resulted in the occupation of the ground held by each before it commenced. Then followed

the Mine Run campaign, in which his command took a prominent part. This military movement closed active operations in the field until the following spring, which found him still commanding the Fourth Brigade.

When General Grant reorganized the Army of the Potomac in April, 1864, Colonel Brooke, who for a year had commanded the brigade above mentioned, was now with his force placed in the First Division of the Second Army Corps, under General Hancock. Colonel Brooke (or rather General Brooke, as it should have been) at once took an active part in the battles of the Wilderness and Po River. On the 12th of May, at Spottsylvania Court House, his brigade was in the advance in Hancock's famous charge on the enemy. In this, the grandest charge of the war, Brooke distinguished himself again for his bravery and skill. His command captured several pieces of artillery, and immediately turned the guns of the enemy upon them, doing good execution. An entire rebel division, with its commander, General Johnson, were taken prisoners. Speaking of this fight a correspondent in one of the daily papers, writing under date of May 20th, says:

"It is understood, on good authority, that Colonel John R. Brooke, commanding the Fourth Brigade, and Colonel Nelson A. Miles, commanding the First Brigade, Barlow's division, will be appointed to the rank of Brigadier General. These promotions are

the reward of a long series of gallant services culminating in the brilliant assault of the rebel entrenchments on the 12th instant."

This brilliant affair the Government could not fail to recognize in the corps commander and his subordinates. Accordingly Colonel Brooke was made a Brigadier General, to date from this famous battle of May 12th, 1864. It was a promotion earned long before.

General Brooke remained in command of this brigade, and participated in all the battles and skirmishes in which the Second Corps was engaged. On the 3d of June, while leading his brigade at Cold Harbor in a charge against the rebels, who were in a fortified position, he was struck in the side by a grape-shot and so severely wounded in two places that for some time his recovery was considered very doubtful, and which retired him from active service for a time.

While still suffering from the wound, however, he reported at Washington for duty, and was assigned as President of a general court martial sitting at Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and afterwards detailed at Washington, District of Columbia, to examine officers for a veteran corps that General Hancock had been authorized to raise. After Brooke had received his commission of Major General, dated August 1st, 1864, and Hancock had organized the Army of the Shenandoah, General B. commanded the Second Division under him, being assigned to this position in March, 1865. The records of the War department will show many letters from his superiors, commending the services of General Brooke during the war of the rebellion. His eminent services, courage and fidelity are indicated by the following appointments and promotions in their order:

April 20th, 1861. Commissioned Captain of Company C, Fourth Regiment of volunteers, and was honorably mustered out at the end of the three months' service.

August 17th, 1861. Commissioned Colonel of Fifty-third Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, at Harrisburg, and mustered into the service of the United States, at Washington, on the 7th of November following.

May 12th, 1864. Volunteers.

August 1st, 1864. Volunteers.

Promoted Brigadier General of United States

Promoted Major General of United States

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