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Post by Robert Braun on Apr 15, 2002 14:01:25 GMT -5
Yes.. that new image posted by Mike Thorson is a neat one.
Joseph Brookens, a farmer from the Blakes Prairie region of Grant County worked a farm adjacent to his brother, who has enlisted in Co. C, Second Wisconsin ("Grant County Grays") and was captured at Bulls Run. These farms were located west and a little north of Tafton (today "Bloomington").
Brookens enlisted in Company D, "Blakes Prairie Rangers." He and his neighbors who likewise enlisted tramped over Horace Lord's farm as they learned the drill. Captain Earnhart headquartered in Schoolhouse No. 4, which amazingly still exists today, although altered from its original appearance.
Brookens survived the war, got married, was active in veterans affairs, was a member of the Soldiers and Sailors Association of Grant County, and lived to a ripe old age. He is buried in a cemetery south of Bloomington.
In this image, he wears a nice infantry jacket. In fact we're seeing more evidence of jackets being worn in the Thirty-third, apparently in the second half of the regiment's history. The majority of the men still wore fatigue blouses or dress coats (particularly in cooler weather.)
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