--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
OF
COLONEL JOHN H. BROOCKS.
The subject of this sketch was born in the town of
October 12, A. D., 1829; was the son of the late
General Travis G. Broocks—a native of
Mrs. Elizabeth A. Broocks, a
native of
at the San Augustine University. His acquaintance,
however, with the practical relations of life, was formed
in the counting-room of his father, who did an extensive
mercantile business in San Augustine. At the
commencement of the Mexican war, young Broocks
joined, as a private soldier, the company of Captain O.
M. Wheeler, of Colonel Woods’ regiment of Texas
Cavalry, and rendered efficient services in this new and
stirring field of operations until the cessation of
hostilities. Returning home, Mr. Broocks entered into
the
mercantile business at San Augustine, at which place he
continued to reside until about the year 1852, when
the spirit of adventure and enterprise led him to migrate
to
Captain James A. Broocks,
and Captain A. D. Edwards, now of
young Texans first essayed mining, and then worked as hired
hands on a hay and small grain farm; and,
finally, as merchants, operating under the firm name of J. H.
Broocks & Co., at "Shaw’s Flat," in Ptoulumne
county. While in this business, they did their own
freighting with ox-teams, over execrable roads a distance
of sixty-five miles.
Having been quite successful in his business pursuits,
Mr. Broocks returned to
in 1854, and was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth J.
Polk. In 1855, he retired from mercantile pursuits
to his farm near San Augustine, where he has continued
to reside ever since. When
sons to march to battle in defence
of constitutional governments, in 1861, she found not one more ready to
respond to the summons than John H. Broocks.
A company was formed in San Augustine, and adjoining
counties, of which he was elected Captain. Captain Broocks at once set out at the head of his company to
join the army of General Ben EcCulloch,
in
battalion was formed of four detatched
companies, commanded by Captain J. H. Broocks,
Captain J. W.
Whitfield of Lavaca county,
Captain Whitfield was elected Major of the battalion.
Subsequently, Captain Brooks’ company was
transferred to Colonel McIntosh’s
the battalion. Under this organization, the battalion
served in the campaigns against the hostile Indians in
the winter of 1861, and at the battle of Elk Horn, in
March, 1862. After the campaign in March, an
accession of eight more companies was had, and the First Texas
Legion was organized with J. W. Whitfield,
Colonel; E. R. Hawkins,
Lieutenant-Colonel; and—Holman, Major. Major Holman resigned soon after his
election, and Captain John H. Broocks
was promoted Major. Subsequently, in 1863, Colonel Whitfield was
promoted Brigadier-General, Lieutenant-Colonel E. R. Hawkins,
Colonel, and Major Broocks, Lieutenant-
Colonel. Captain J. T. Whitfield was promoted Major. We
reproduce, in this connection, Colonel Broocks’
statement in regard to the action at
account of the same in the body of the narrative.
General Price was retreating from Abbeville, followed
by a large supply-train. A considerable force
of the enemy was disembarked from transports on the
strike the train in flank. Generals Hovey
and Washburne, we believe, commanded this expedition,
which
amounted to about 4,000 infantry, 500 cavalry, and 12 guns.
Nothing interposed between the unprotected
train and this daring Federal column, but the Texas Brigade
of about 1,500 men. Lieutenant-Colonel John S.
the gravity of the situation, and appreciated the value
of prompt action. Says Colonel Broocks:
"The Legion, Colonel Hawkins commanding, and
three companies as an advance-guard, under my
immediate command, fought Washburne’s
advance fifty-six minutes, near
charged, and captured two guns, one of which, only, we
brought off the field, as the team attached to the
other were killed. Lieutenant-Colonel Griffith, commanding
the brigade, was present, and in the charge,
bearing himself most gallantly, and but for an accident, we
perhaps would have captured Washburne. The
Legion was driving the enemy in some confusion. The
Sixth Texas had arrived, dismounted, and were ready to join in the fight. The
Third Texas, Lieutenant-Colonel J. S. Boggess
commanding, had been dispatched to the enemy’s rear, and directed to dismount
and attack. At this interesting stage, Colonel Griffith received a report
(false) that we were being outflanked. Placing credence in the report, he
retired his men, and firing ceased. Colonel Boggess who was just ready to attack in the rear at
this time, hearing the firing no more in front, did not attack. Thus an
excellently planned engagement was suffered to pass by default. But the Legions’
spirited attack had discomfited the enemy, and, undoubtedly, saved from capture
the wagon-train of General Price. Had Colonel Griffith’s original plan been
carried out, it is probable we would have captured the greater portion of the
Federals present. Some idea may be had of the spirited nature of the engagement,
from the fact that sixty-four cannon-shots were fired during the fifty-six
minutes of action.
After we were called off from the charge, the enemy
recovered from the confusion caused by our
unexpected charge, and their long lines of infantry, ‘double-quicking’ into position, revealed too much force for
Colonel Griffith to again venture an attack." The enemy accorded the
Texans equal respect, and immediately retired from the field, and returned to the
protection of their iron-clads on the
Owing to the ill health of the gallant Hawkins,
Colonel Broocks was very often left in command of
the Legion, in which responsible station he acquitted
himself always with credit, and won the love of his
men and the confidence and respect of his superiors in
rank. The Confederacy bore upon its rosters the
name of no braver, or truer man to its cause, than that of
Colonel John H. Broocks. Colonel Broocks
has,
since the termination of the war, lived a somewhat retired
life on his farm, in the midst of his many friends,
and surrounded by his interesting family. His name has
been repeatedly mentioned in connection with a seat in the State Senate; and,
though eminently fitted to grace the councils of State, he has persistently
declined the honors which his fellow-citizens would gladly confer, contenting
himself with the laborious and unremunerating
position of Chairman of the Democratic Congressional District Committee.
Colonel
Broocks is an educated gentleman—a man of firm will, fixed
opinions, and the courage to advocate the
same at all proper times. Though it seemed that the moral
obliquity of "our army in
Colonel Broocks, at all times;
and never did he hear a profane expression escape his lips. These pages,
though in an inadequate manner, testify to the heroism of
Colonel Broocks; but of the many high qualities,
both of head and heart, of which he is possessed, none may
know except those who are drawn into personal
contact with him. If heroic services on the battle field,
augmented by capacity, probity, and patriotism,
entitle a man to civic preferment, then is Colonel John H. Broocks entitled to the highest office in the gift of the
people of
Handbook of Texas Online, s.v. "," <http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/articles/BB/fbr64.html