Brooks, William S. - Col. 1839-1864

BROOKS, WRIGHT

Posted By: Debbie Nash (email)
Date: 2/23/2004 at 23:38:29

"DEATH OF COL. W. S. BROOKS. We are pained to record the death of Col. W. S. Brooks, of the 56th U.S.C.T. He was killed in battle with the rebels, near Nelson, 18 miles from Helena. . . . ."
Fairfield Ledger
August 4, 1864, 2-3.

"FUNERAL OF COL. BROOKS. Our citizens held a meeting on Tuesday evening, and resolved that the military would attend at the Depot yesterday evening, and on the arrival of the corpse of Col. Brooks would escort it some distance on the way to the residence of his parents, who live nine miles from town. Today the military will proceed to their residence, and escort the corpse to the grave. All members of the company are expected to be ready to start from town at 11 1/2 o'clock."
Fairfield Ledger
August 4, 1864, 3-1.

"FUNERAL OF COL. BROOKS: Notwithstanding the rain on Thursday last, a very large number of citizens of our county were in attendance at the funeral of the lamented Col. Brooks. A portion of the Union Guards of this city, and under the command of Capt. Wright, assisted in paying the last tribute of honor to the remains of the noble dead. . . . ."
Fairfield Ledger
August 11, 1864, 3-1.

"KILLED -- At Big Creek, near Helena, Ark., on the 26th of July, 1864, Col. Wm. S. Brooks, of this county. He was born in Butler County, Ohio, Sept. 4th, 1839, emigrated with his parents to Iowa in the spring of 1846. . . . He entered the service as a private of the 1st Iowa Infantry. He was promoted to a Lieutenant of the 19th Iowa. He distinguished himself at the Battle of Wilson's Creek, and again at the Battle of Prairie Grove, where he was wounded. He as appointed Lieut. Colonel of his regiment, now the 56th U.S. Colored Infantry, and promoted to be its Colonel. . . . .On the morning of the 26th, Col. W. S. Brooks, early in the engagement -- mounted -- was holding and encouraging his men at the post of duty and honor, fell mortally wounded. . . . . His career, which promised fame and glory, was thus cut short. . . . .To use his own language, while he lay suffering in death: "God knows I did not love to fight, but I loved my country.". . . . .Thus lived and thus died a talented boy -- a brave soldier -- an uncompromising patriot. Peace be to his ashes; honor, love and glory to his name."
Fairfield Ledger
September 8, 1864, 3-2.