These letters were written by Brooks to his mother and sister between 1862 and 1865 when he was serving with the 1st New York Mounted Rifles. Most of his time was spent in Virginia (1863-1865), but he was also in Deep Bottom and South Mills in North Carolina (unknown date-Summer 1863). Brooks wrote more about daily life as a soldier and his own circumstances than he did about the war. None of the letters discuss fighting that Brooks himself engaged in, but he does mention "a brush with the Mosby Gang." The subject of money comes up often; he is frequently borrowing, lending, paying off debts, and looking forward to payday. Brooks does not reveal a great deal about himself in these letters, but the glimpses that they afford us into his character are illuminating. He has a subtle, wry sense of humor. Brooks' stoicism is evident in the way that he reassures his mother that he is well and relatively comfortable. Some of the more noteworthy items in this collection make reference to the progress of the Union Army and rumors thereof. Brooks mentions a controversial agreement reached by General Sherman and General Johnston in April of 1865. He also refers to an article by "Ned Buntin", a former member of the Mounted Rifles, who wrote an article about them in the New York Mercury.
Brooks, Jewett H.
Rank: Sgt., Pvt. (May 1865)
Regiment: 1st New York Mounted Rifles (1861-1865)
Service:1862 June-1865 July 21
Jewett H. Brooks' family appears to have come from New York. His mother, Eliza Angelina Brooks of Redfield, N.Y., was remarried on December 1, 1854 to Stephen Lillie of Cicero, N.Y. Brooks' father is not mentioned in the letters, and a sister "Ann" does not appear to have been married when these letters were written. Brooks enlisted as a member of the 1st New York Mounted Rifles in the Civil War. In May of 1865, Brooks was demoted from Sergeant to Private for refusing to accept a promotion to orderly sergeant. Brooks probably mustered out with the regiment in July, 1865.
