Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1891-08-01
EOIInI Dead

Found Dead.
Jackson Butt, an engineer on the
Eckhart branch railroad, discovered
Tuesday morning the dead body of a
man lying under the bridge in the
roadway leading from Eckhart to
Washington miEe. An inquest
followed, Justice Purncll, of Frost
burg, officiating. The jury returned
verdict of accidental death. 1t is
supposed that in attempting to cross
the bridge during Monday night he
fell off His neck was broken. A
satchel by his side contained papers
showing that he was Il soldier of the
civil war-private i'll Company II, 55th
Regiment of Volunteers, Pennsylvania
Infantry. His name was John H.
Brooklns. Letters addressed to him
at Point, Bedford county, Pa, and
1926 were found in his pockets.
Messrs. Gehauf & Mayer, undertakers,
took charge of the remains until 6
o'clock Wednesday evening, when
they were inferred in the old grave
yard. A reply to a telegram of in
quiry Tuesday, sent to Point, stated
that Brookins had no living relatives
Since the above was written the fol-
lowing letter has been received.
POINT, Pa, July %, 1891.
Mr.. CLAYTON PURNELL.
| received your dispatch last evening and
just merely answered that John H. Brooklns
did not have any friends living.
| will now give you all the information |
can about him:
John H. Brookins enlisted in Co. II, 55th
Regt, Pa, Vols, in the summer of 1862. |
was then orderly sergeant Of the company.
He was brave soldier and always ready for
duty, but a private's duty was distasteful to
him. He was splendid penman, and final
ly got a clerkship at headquarters, where he
remained most of his service. He was pro.
NOTED to chief clerk at the headquarters of
Gen. Grant in 1864 and serve as such, | be-
lieve, until his discharge on the ID day of
June, 1863
Since the war he has been rowing all over
the United States, teaching writing school
and preparing and selling family records for
a living. He would come to see me about
once year and was here in the spring. He
was an applicant fora pension under the new
law and his claim was about complete he
would probably have received it soon. He
would write to me once a month to let me
know where he was, SO that | could COM
municate with him in regard to his pension
claim, which was attending to for him. He
has no friends living; he told me of a brother
who lived in New York State that died sever
al years ago.
don't think the man ever had or carried
much money, as he would drink hard. He
was dyspeptic and in very bad condition
at times. His mind, | think, was sometimes
affected of late years. am very truly
yours, JOSIAH HIssoNG.
In addition to the above, the follow
lug endorsement is written upon
Brookins' certificate of SERVICE" a
paper found among his effects:
The night before the capture of Petersburg
and Hatcher's Run, Va, private John II.
Brookins was selected by Capt. NJ. " Barber
officer Of picket, guard, under orders from
Brig. Gen. Foster, to examine the grounds
between the two forces and ascertain any
natural or artificial impediments in view of
an early attack. He made the examination
returning under musketry firing by both
forces, and brought correct information. On
the following morning, in advance Of his
regiment and brigade, he went on the
enemys ground before he knew they had
surrendered
The above is an extract from the military
record of John H. Brookins.
JOSIAH IIssoNG,
Late Capt. Co. H. 55th Reg, P. V.
The letter to Mr.. Purnell furnished
no particulars other than was con-
tanned in Capt. Hissong's telegram,
the burial took place as above stated,
members of the Grand Army and other
cold soldiers attending, Thoburn Post,
of this place, bearing the expense.
Brookins appeared to be between So
and TO years of age. He was, as in
dictated by Capt. Hissong's letter, Il
man of more than ordinary education
and culture.