Private Charles Brooks

Charles Brooks was born in Summit County, Ohio on October 22, 1842. On August 19, 1862 he enlisted in Company E of the Fifth Iowa Infantry. The Official Roster records no details about his service, which is usually a good thing (since, aside from promotions, the most common entries deal with capture and injury). On August 8, 1864 he transferred with his closest friends into Company G of the Fifth Iowa Cavalry. He mustered out of the regiment on June 17, 1865 at Nashville, Tennessee.

The History of Buchanan County, Iowa 1842 to 1881 concisely describes his contented life after the war. It simply says, "He immediately went to farming at the old home in Buffalo township. He is now one of the leading men of his township."