Benjamin T. Brockman facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Benjamin Thomas Brockman
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| Born | December 11, 1831 South Carolina |
| Died | June 12, 1864 (aged 32) Richmond, Virginia |
| Buried |
Hollywood Cemetery
Richmond, Virginia |
| Allegiance |  Confederate States of America |
| Service/ |
 Confederate States Army |
| Years of service | 1861-1864 |
| Rank |  Colonel |
| Commands held |  13th South Carolina Infantry |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
Benjamin Thomas Brockman (born December 11, 1831 – died around June 12, 1864) was a businessman and an officer in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. He was born in South Carolina. His father, Thomas Patterson Brockman, was a Colonel and a Senator.
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Starting the Brockman Guards
In the summer of 1861, Benjamin Brockman and his brother, Jesse Kilgor Brockman, created a group of soldiers in Spartanburg, South Carolina. This group became known as "The Brockman Guards."
By September, the 13th South Carolina Infantry was officially formed. The Brockman Guards became Company B of this new regiment. Benjamin was made the Captain of Company B. His brother Jesse became a lieutenant. Later, Benjamin was promoted to lieutenant colonel. Jesse then became the Captain of Company B.
Benjamin ran a business in the Reidville area. Ladies from this town made a special flag for Company B. It was blue with gold stars and a gold border. This flag is now kept safe in the Confederate Relic Room in Columbia. One side of the flag shows a South Carolina coast scene painted by A. Grinevald.
Fighting at the Bloody Angle
Benjamin Brockman became a Colonel of the 13th Regiment in 1863. He led his soldiers at the Battle of Chancellorsville.
On May 12, 1864, he was badly wounded during a charge at a place called "The Bloody Angle." This was near Spotsylvania Court House. He lost an arm in this fierce battle. He died about a month later in a hospital in Richmond, Virginia because of his wounds.
His brother, Jesse, was also hurt in the same charge. He lay on the battlefield for three days. Jesse died from his wounds in the hospital on May 28, 1864.
Stories from the Battle
At the Bloody Angle, soldiers fought very hard for hours. A large oak tree, 22 inches thick, was cut in half by the constant gunfire. This showed how intense the fighting was.
General L.A. Grant, a Union Army officer, described the scene: "Only logs separated the fighters. Our men fired into the enemy's faces over the logs. Many were shot through small gaps in the logs. Soldiers climbed onto the log walls and kept firing until they were shot down. Then others quickly took their places."
The Confederate soldiers, who were outnumbered, eventually moved back to a new defense line. The battle on May 12 ended. The fight at the Bloody Angle was different from other battles. The terrible number of deaths seemed to change how both sides saw the war. After this, Confederate General Lee's army was never strong enough to attack the North again. He now fought only to survive. Union General Grant also left with a clear, but harsh, idea of the future. He would fight Lee's army until it was completely defeated, no matter the cost.
Burial
Benjamin Brockman is buried at Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, Virginia. After he was wounded, he wrote a letter to his sister, Mrs. Harris.
- May 24, Richmond, Virginia
- Dear Sister Mary;
- I have been unlucky and lost my left arm in the Battle of May 12th. It was the bloodiest fight of the War. Jesse was wounded, I think badly, and was captured by the enemy. Poor fellow – my only brother is perhaps now dead. But we must accept these things. I am told he fought with great bravery when he was shot. Please excuse this short note. My regards to the Doctor and a kiss to Edgar.
- Truly your brother
- B.T. Brockman
About Captain Jesse K. Brockman
Colonel Brockman's brother, Jesse K. Brockman, was born on April 23, 1839. He married Kittie Bryson on January 10, 1861. They had two sons.
Images for kids
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Benjamin Thomas Brockman
