William R. Brewster
William Root Brewster (July 27, 1828 – December 13, 1869) was an officer in the
Early life
William Root Brewster was born on July 27, 1828, in Goshen, Connecticut, the son of Nelson Brewster and Lucretta Hannah Root. He later moved to New York State, probably to Brooklyn.
Civil War
When the war broke out, Brewster was commissioned as the major of the 28th New York State Militia at Brooklyn in the spring of 1861. He and his regiment were not engaged at the First Battle of Bull Run because it was on guard duty along the Potomac River.
Brewster returned to New York, where he became involved in the recruiting efforts of the controversial politician
Brewster was in command of his regiment at the
Brewster again fell ill after the battle, and the brigade was led by Brig. Gen.
When the Army of the Potomac was reorganized for the
Colonel Brewster was mustered out with the 73rd New York on October 24 near Petersburg, Virginia, and subsequently returned to New York. He was given the brevet rank of brigadier general on December 2, 1864.
Postbellum activities and memorialization
Following his mustering out of the service, Brewster returned to Brooklyn and resumed his civilian life. He was active in early reunions of his former regiment.
William R. Brewster died in Brooklyn on December 13, 1869, at the age of 41. He was buried there at the Green-Wood Cemetery, a cemetery that also contains the remains of several other Civil War officers and generals.
A monument to the Excelsior Brigade stands in the field in which it deployed at Gettysburg, now known as the Excelsior Field. It was dedicated on July 2, 1893.[3]
See also
Notes
- ^ Brewster's official report.
- ^ Townsend, p. 318.
- ^ Draw the Sword.
References
- Dyer, Frederick H., Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, 3 vols., New York: Thomas Yoseloff, 1959.
- Eicher, John H., and ISBN 0-8047-3641-3.
- Gottfried, Bradley M., Brigades of Gettysburg: The Union and Confederate Brigades at the Battle of Gettysburg, Cambridge, Massachusetts: Da Capo Press, 2002.
- Pfanz, Harry W., Gettysburg: The Second Day, Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 1987.
- Townsend, Thomas Seaman, The Honors of the Empire State in the War of the Rebellion, New York: A. Lovell & Co., 1889.
- U.S. War Department, The War of the Rebellion: a Compilation of the Official Recordsof the Union and Confederate Armies, U.S. Government Printing Office, 1880–1901. Series I, vol. 42.