Instructions to engineer officers, General Gillmore, envelope, August 22 [Verso]
National Park Service
Table of distances, Charleston SC
National Park Service
The first table is a table of distances of various Batteries of the approaches to Fort Wagner from certain active batteries of the Enemy which resisted the attack. The second table is of distances in Charleston harbor and the vicinity, taken from the U. S. Coast Survey Map, and compiled by Lieutenant Talcott.
Drawing of a siege mortar platform
National Park Service
Drawing of a siege mortar platform, including a bill of materials used.
Diagrams by Lorigan, of wire anchoring used for sand bag revetment
National Park Service
Diagrams by Lorigan of wire anchoring used for sand bag revetment in breaching batteries, with a scale of 1/2 inch to 1 foot.
Facts relating to siege operations against defenses of Charleston harbor
National Park Service
Notes by Major Brooks regarding the Siege Operations against defenses of Charleston Harbor, including information on earth works, bombproofs and splinterproofs, Parrott rifles, mortars, boat infantry, look intos, and shot proof parapets. Stevens Battery, James Island, Morris Island, Block Isle, and Folly Island are mentioned.
Envelope:Â Experiments relating to Boats [Recto]
National Park Service
Front & back of envelope containing the words 'Experiments relating to Boats'
Description of Mississippi signals, page 1
National Park Service
Description of Mississippi signals, including combinations of short and long whistles, signal numbers, and corresponding sentences. Possibly by Thomas Benton (T.B.) Brooks.
Drawings by Brooks, of a single gun battery for 200 pounders
National Park Service
Series of drawings of single gun battery for 200 pdrs. made by Captain Brooks. Drawings show dimensions.
Numbers and Names of Steamers in the Department of the South [Verso]
National Park Service
List of the numbers and names of Steamers in the Department of the South. Possibly by Thomas Benton (T.B.) Brooks.
Parable written by Brooks, page 2
National Park Service
Parable written by Brooks about a ruler of a kingdom and his appointed captain. The people loved the ruler but believed him wrong for not changing the captain, who was not a fighting man.
Drawing by Lorigan, of Inclined Palisading (Chevaux de Freize)
National Park Service
Drawing of Inclined Palisading (Chevaux de Freize) by Lorigan, showing side view, front view, receiving trench, and view when complete. Lorigan notes the weight of the panels, how many panels can be made each day, and how far soldiers can carry them.
Document listing rules for women nurses, Adjutant General's Office, War Department
National Park Service
Facts relating to siege operations against defenses of Charleston harbor
National Park Service
Notes by Major Brooks regarding the Siege Operations against defenses of Charleston Harbor, including information on earth works, bombproofs and splinterproofs, Parrott rifles, mortars, boat infantry, look intos, and shot proof parapets. Stevens Battery, James Island, Morris Island, Block Isle, and Folly Island are mentioned.
Sketch, of proposed works in the ridge in front of the 4th Parallel
National Park Service
Sketch of proposed works in the ridge in front of the 4th Parallel, showing swamp and beach. Possibly by Thomas Benton (T.B.) Brooks.
Report, relating to artillery and fatigue duty in the siege
National Park Service
Report of general observations and conclusions relating to artillery and fatigue duty in the siege of the defense of Charleston. Brooks writes about the effectiveness of 8-inch shells, and that shells falling at a high angle are the only projectiles available against the earth works built on this coast. He writes that black troops will do more work than white troops and will have far less sickness. The siege of Sebastopol is also mentioned.
Facts relating to siege operations against defenses of Charleston harbor
National Park Service
Notes by Major Brooks regarding the Siege Operations against defenses of Charleston Harbor, including information on earth works, bombproofs and splinterproofs, Parrott rifles, mortars, boat infantry, look intos, and shot proof parapets. Stevens Battery, James Island, Morris Island, Block Isle, and Folly Island are mentioned.
Information from General Turner obtained by Brooks, on the use of siege mortars and battery
National Park Service
Information obtained by Brooks from General Turner on the use of siege mortars and battery, etc.
Memoranda, providing data on 300 pounder Parrott guns
National Park Service
Memoranda providing data on 300 pounder Parrott guns, such as the number of rounds fired, repairs needed, and the elevations used when firing shots.
Diagram by Wilcken, splinter proofs sections & elevations
National Park Service
Diagram by Wilcken showing the sections and elevations of splinter proofs. The number of men and amount of material required are also included.
Letter to Brooks from the Assistant Quartermaster's office, Lexington (K.Y.), 1863 July 22, page 1
Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park
Copy of Brooks journal with notes attached, August 24 - September 7 1863, page 4
National Park Service
Copy of Brooks journal with notes attached, August 24 - September 7 1863, page 5
National Park Service
Letter, 1861 November 14, F. Brown to Brooks, page 1
National Park Service
Letter to Brooks from F. Brown in Sloatsburg, NY regarding Brown's pleasure at the results of the naval expedition which began at Fortress Monroe some weeks ago. Brown provides news from his town, including that of a great storm.
Letter, Head quarters volunteer engineers, Hilton Head, February 7 1862, page 1
National Park Service
Letter, 1862 July 29, Brooks (Hilton Head) to James Hall (Hilton Head), page 1
National Park Service
Letter, 1862 July 29, Brooks (Hilton Head) to James Hall (Hilton Head), page 4
National Park Service
Letter, 1862 December 15, H.C. Macaulay (Saint Helena Island) to T.B. Brooks
National Park Service
Data from experiments on sand, sand bags, etc. and work relating to siege works, Morris Island, July-September 1863
National Park Service
Tables of data from experiments measuring weights of dry and wet sand, data showing penetration of Sharps, Enfields, and Spencer Rifles and Coehorn mortar shells into materials such as sand bags, sand bags filled with cotton, fascines, and pine. Also contains tables of data showing how much dirt can be dug by men in a period of time.
Data from experiments on sand, sand bags, etc. and work relating to siege works, Morris Island, July-September 1863
National Park Service
Tables of data from experiments measuring weights of dry and wet sand, data showing penetration of Sharps, Enfields, and Spencer Rifles and Coehorn mortar shells into materials such as sand bags, sand bags filled with cotton, fascines, and pine. Also contains tables of data showing how much dirt can be dug by men in a period of time.
Data from experiments on sand, sand bags, etc. and work relating to siege works, Morris Island, July-September 1863
National Park Service
Tables of data from experiments measuring weights of dry and wet sand, data showing penetration of Sharps, Enfields, and Spencer Rifles and Coehorn mortar shells into materials such as sand bags, sand bags filled with cotton, fascines, and pine. Also contains tables of data showing how much dirt can be dug by men in a period of time.
Major Brooks' Journal of Siege Work, Morris Island, July to September 1863, page 8
National Park Service
Major Brooks' Journal of Siege Work, Morris Island, July to September 1863, page 9
National Park Service
Jerry to Brooks, special orders number 50, Morris Island, August 6 1863 [Recto]
National Park Service
Major Brooks' Journal of Siege Work, Morris Island, July to September 1863, page 17
National Park Service
Diagram by Suess, of zig-zag approaches with defensive batteries, proposed for Fort Wagner
National Park Service
Diagram by Suess of zig-zag approaches with defensive batteries, proposed for Fort Wagner.
Brooks to Crane and Chandler, instructions to clear sap of all obstacles, August 24 1863
National Park Service
Instructions sent to Crane and Chandler by order of Brooks, that they will twice in each turn of duty examine the whole line of trenches from the 1st Parallel to the Head of the Sap, clearing it of all obstacles. Brooks also writes that obstructions put in by the Guard must be removed by them, or their refusal to do so reported.
Letter, 1863 August 26, Walker to Brooks, recommending another sap roller
National Park Service
Letter to Brooks from Walker, suggesting that another sap roller be immediately got up to the 4th parallel, and that another sap be started on the higher grounds to the right. Walker states that this can be done as to make a decided advance, and will not interfere with the firing of mortars upon the enemy's rifle pits.
Sketch and plan of direct communication with the front along the beach
National Park Service
Suess' sketch and written description of the plan of forming a direct communication along and parallel to the beach, connecting forward lines. Includes detailed drawing of trenches, 4th and 5th Parallels.
Letter, 1863 September 11, Captain Joseph Walker (New York) to Major T.B. Brooks (Morris Island), colored troops for work, page 4
National Park Service
Letter, 1863 September 12, Captain F. H. Cruso to Brooks [Verso]
National Park Service
Letter to Brooks from F.H. Cruso regarding furnishing paddles according to Lt. Baldwin's drawing, and regarding Cruso's application for additional men.
Letter, 1863 September 12, Captain F. H. Cruso to Brooks [Recto]
National Park Service
Letter to Brooks from F.H. Cruso regarding furnishing paddles according to Lt. Baldwin's drawing, and regarding Cruso's application for additional men.
Letter, 1863 September 15, Baldwin to Major Brooks [Verso]
National Park Service
Letter to Brooks from Baldwin, reporting results of Baldwin's experiments with the boat and oars constructed at the Engineer Depot. Baldwin reports that the 1000 pound boat can be carried with difficulty by twenty men.
Letter, 1863 September 15, P. McGuire (Morris Island) to Major T.B. Brooks [Recto]
National Park Service
Copies of orders issued by General Seymor relating to fatigue detail, Morris Island, September 15 1863, page 4
National Park Service
Instructions for the officers in charge of the Engineer Depot, September 17 1863
National Park Service
Letter, 1863 September 18, James Wallace to Brooks [Verso]
National Park Service
Letter to Brooks from James Wallace regarding the serving of the guns in the Naval Battery. Wallace reports that he thinks the Navy Gun carriages are superior to the iron army carriages.
Letter, 1863 September 22, James Wallace to Brooks, regarding Parrott guns that failed [Recto]
National Park Service
Letter to Brooks from James Baldwin, reporting results of Baldwin's examination of the 100 and 200 Pdr Parrott guns that failed during the bombardment of Ft. Sumter. The number of rounds at which guns failed, signs of crystallization, cracks, and fractures in the guns are detailed.
Letter, 1863 October 30, Smith to Brooks, regarding the Requa Battery
National Park Service
Letter to Brooks from Smith stating that Smith and Mr. Bradley own the Patent from Billinghurst & Requa, and that a printed pamphlet of reprints is enclosed where Brooks will find all of his inquiries regarding the guns answered, except as to operations in the field. Smith writes that he has a great personal feeling in seeing the Batteries tested.
Letter, 1863 November 3, Talcott to Brooks
National Park Service
Letter to Brooks from Talcott, including detailed information on Parrott guns in Fort Putnam (Gregg), Battery Chatfield, and Fort Strong (Wagner). Facts are provided for each gun, such as the date of bursting, number of rounds fired before bursting, the number of pieces each gun burst into, and how far the pieces were thrown. Descriptions of any fractures are provided, as well as other observations on the conditions of the guns after bursting.
News about Captain Ferdinand Levy and military operations, Department of the South, page 3
National Park Service
Letter to Brooks from Baldwin on the material and sewing of sand bags
National Park Service
Letter to Brooks from Baldwin reporting that gunny cloth was used to make the sand-bags used in seige operations, and that the bags were sewn with cotton twine. He reports sand bags are now sewn using a lock-stitch, which retains its hold.
Letter to Brooks from Baldwin on the material and sewing of sand bags
National Park Service
Letter to Brooks from Baldwin reporting that gunny cloth was used to make the sand-bags used in seige operations, and that the bags were sewn with cotton twine. He reports sand bags are now sewn using a lock-stitch, which retains its hold.
Document on misconduct by Albert Persons, Adjutant General's Office, War Department, page 7
National Park Service
Document on misconduct by Albert Persons, Adjutant General's Office, War Department, page 4
National Park Service
Letter, 1863 December 1, J.L. Suers (Fort Wagner)
National Park Service
Letter, 1863 December 11, Eaton to Brooks, reporting the number of torpedoes seen in front of Ft. Wagner
National Park Service
Letter to Brooks from Eaton reporting the number of large and small torpedoes he has seen at Ft. Wagner. Eaton writes that Wilcken can provide a more definite account. Eaton also reports that he thinks the firing would have been called "Moderate" compared with that against the approaches during the siege.
Letter, 1863 December 12, James H Harrold (Folly Isle) to T.B. Brooks, page 1
National Park Service
Letter, 1863 December 14, Rumsey to Gillmore, with a review by Major Brooks, page 4
National Park Service
Letter to Gillmore from Rumsey containing a proposal for building a spy boat. Rumsey's proposal includes detailed plans for a narrow metallic vessel, including the propelling power, ballast, doors, and roof. Gillmore responded that this plan is to be examined & reported upon by Major Brooks. Major Brooks wrote that the boat described is deficient in two ways, and he suggested that Rumsey be sent for and examined in reference to scouting duty.
Letter, 1863 December 17, Pratt (Folly Isle) to Major Brooks, page 4
National Park Service
Letter, 1863 December 22, Eaton to Brooks, reporting dimensions and weight of filled sand bags
National Park Service
Letter to Brooks from Eaton reporting the average dimensions and weight of filled sand bags.
Letter, 1863 December 28, Wilcken to Brooks, on an arrangement for exploding torpedoes [Verso]
National Park Service
Letter to Brooks from Wilcken stating that a sketch of an arrangement for exploding torpedoes is enclosed. Wilcken also provides the names of the officers who assisted him in the sapping operations and in building splinter-proofs. Wilcken writes that to the best of his knowledge nine (9) torpedoes exploded accidentally during the siege.
Letter, 1863 December 28, Wilcken to Brooks, on an arrangement for exploding torpedoes [Recto]
National Park Service
Letter to Brooks from Wilcken stating that a sketch of an arrangement for exploding torpedoes is enclosed. Wilcken also provides the names of the officers who assisted him in the sapping operations and in building splinter-proofs. Wilcken writes that to the best of his knowledge nine (9) torpedoes exploded accidentally during the siege.
Letter, 1863 December 28, Brooks (Folly Island) to Charles B. Stuart, page 1
National Park Service
Letter to Major Brooks from Mueller
National Park Service
Letter to Major Brooks from Mueller at Fort Pulaski answering questions asked by Major Brooks in a previous letter about troops, work, and enemy fire during a siege.
Letter, 1864 January 18, J.F. Ranulen (Morris Island) to Brooks, page 3
National Park Service
Letter, 1864 March 17, WC Hanford to Brooks
National Park Service
Letter to Brooks from Hanford enclosing the Signals and Sentences for Steamers, and advising Brooks to have Gillmore make application for procuring a boat.
Generously Supported By
