Horace Brooks facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Horace Brooks
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| Born | August 14, 1814 Boston, Massachusetts |
| Died | January 13, 1894 Kissimmee, Florida |
| Allegiance |  United States of AmericaUnion |
| Service/ |
United States Army Union Army |
| Years of service | 1835–1877 |
| Rank | Colonel Brevet Brigadier General |
| Commands held |
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| Battles/wars | Second Seminole War Mexican–American War American Civil War |
| Awards | Brevet Brigadier General |
Horace Brooks (born August 14, 1814 – died January 13, 1894) was an important officer in the United States Army. He served for many years, from 1835 to 1877. After finishing his studies at the West Point military academy, he fought in the Second Seminole War.
Later, during the Mexican–American War, he became a captain. He also received an honorary rank of lieutenant colonel. When the American Civil War began, he was in charge of artillery groups at different forts. He eventually led the 4th United States Artillery Regiment as a colonel. After the Civil War ended, he was given the honorary title of brigadier general. He continued his military career, staying in command of the 4th U.S. Artillery until he retired in 1877.
Early Military Service
Horace Brooks was born in Boston. When he was young, a famous French general, the Marquis de Lafayette, helped him join the military. Lafayette was a friend of Brooks's mother's family.
Brooks started at West Point on July 1, 1831, and graduated in 1835. He became a second lieutenant and joined the 2nd United States Artillery Regiment. Just a few months after graduating, Brooks faced his first battle. His regiment went to Florida to fight in the Second Seminole War. He was part of a small group led by General Duncan Lamont Clinch. Brooks fought bravely in the Battle of Withlacoochee against the Seminole people. General Clinch praised him for his courage. After this battle, Brooks worked as Clinch's assistant and was given the honorary rank of first lieutenant.
Brooks also served in the Mexican–American War from 1846 to 1848. During this time, he officially became a captain and received the honorary rank of lieutenant colonel. In the years before the Civil War, he was in charge of a special artillery training school at Fort Leavenworth in Kansas.
Service During the Civil War
In February 1861, as tensions grew and the Civil War was about to start, Captain Brooks's artillery group moved to Fort McHenry in Baltimore. He worked hard to get the fort ready for fighting. In April, he was sent to Fort Pickens, which was being threatened by Confederate soldiers.
In November 1861, there was a disagreement between the United States and Great Britain called the Trent Affair. Because of this, Brooks was moved to Fort Jefferson in the Florida Keys. His job was to prepare for a possible attack by the British. During 1861, Brooks was promoted twice, becoming a lieutenant colonel by the end of the year.
In 1862, Brooks became a leader in the army's recruiting service and moved to Ohio. On August 1, 1863, he was promoted to colonel. He was then put in charge of the 4th U.S. Artillery Regiment. This regiment was responsible for protecting Washington, D.C. Brooks played a big part in planning how to defend the capital city.
For his excellent service during the war, he was given the honorary rank of brigadier general in the U.S. Army. This honor was suggested by President of the United States Andrew Johnson.
After the Civil War
After the Civil War ended, Brooks continued to lead the 4th U.S. Artillery Regiment. From 1872 to 1877, he was in command of the Presidio of San Francisco, a military post. In 1877, Horace Brooks retired from the army. He had served for 46 years.
