Bio: John Brooks : Pittsfield, Merrimack County, New Hampshire

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Submitted by: Rick Giirtman rickman@worldpath.net
Date: March 9, 2001
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From the Book
'History of Pittsfield, N. H. in the Rebellion'
by H. L. Robinson, published 1893


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JOHN   BROOKS

John Brooks was a son of Samuel and Eliza (Willey) Brooks. He was born at
Pittsfield, December 24, 1842, and always resided here until he enlisted in
Company H, Third New Hampshire volunteers, August 23, 1861. He was wounded
June 16, 1862, was made corporal September, 1863, and reiinlisted January
31, 1864. He came home on a furlough in March, 1864, and visited the grave
of his cousin, C. O. Ring, with that young soldier's mother. While standing
there, he said, " Aunt Mary, Charley fared better than I shall, for his body
was brought home, but I shall be laid in Southern soil."

At the time his company was surprised on Pinckney island, where Ring was
killed, he was sick in the hospital. When he heard of his friend's tragic
death he left the hospital, although the surgeon told him he would die if he
did. To this he replied, "I don't care to live now that Charlie is gone."
(See sketch of Charles O Ring.) Soon after his return to his regiment, the
army invested Petersburg. In just two years from his first wound, June 16,
1864, he was wounded again, and was taken to Point of Rocks, where he died
the next day. He was in the service nearly three years.

When Brooks received the last wound, a comrade hastened to assist him to the
rear, but he declined the proffered aid, saying, " Load my gun so that I can
give them villains one more shot." This he did until his officers put a stop
to it by giving orders to two of the men to carry Brooks to the hospital.