He was born in 1841/42, in Nova Scotia. [sources: date: 2. place: 2]
When he enlisted, he was a sailor. [source: 2 (also 'seaman')]
When he enlisted, he was 5 feet 8 inches tall, and had blue eyes, brown hair, and a fair complexion. [source: 2]
On 12 September 1862, he enlisted at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for three years. He was enlisted by Lieutenant J A Gregory. He had been vaccinated for smallpox, and was (reportedly) healthy. He was a private, in company B. [sources: 1, 2]
Since he was less than twenty-one years old, Army Regulations required 'the written consent of his parent, guardian, or master'. On 12 September 1862, Lieutenant J A Gregory was appointed Brooks' guardian, and consented to his enlisting. [source: 2]
He is listed on a Muster and Descriptive Roll of a Detachment of US Vols forwarded for the 91 Reg't Pennsylvania Inf, dated 16 September 1862. However, he is not listed on the muster rolls of any company. He had received $25 in bounty, and a $4 premium. [source: 2]
1 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (Thomas Brooks)
2 compiled service record (Thomas Brooks)
I, Thomas Brooks born in Nova Scotia in the State of [blank] aged Twenty years, and by occupation a Sailor DO HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGE to have volunteered this Twelfth day of September 1862, to serve as a Soldier in the Army of the United States of America, for the period of THREE YEARS, unless sooner discharged by proper authority: Do also agree to accept such bounty, pay, rations, and clothing, as are, or may be, established by law for volunteers. And I, Thomas Brooks do solemnly swear, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the United States of America, and that I will serve them honestly and faithfully against all their enemies or opposers whomsoever; and that I will observe and obey the orders of the President of the United States, and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to the Rules and Articles of War.
Thomas BrooksI CERTIFY, ON HONOR, That I have carefully examined the above named Volunteer, agreeably to the General Regulations of the Army, and that in my opinion he is free from all bodily defects and mental infirmity, which would, in any way, disqualify him from performing the duties of a soldier.
J K Mason [?] Act Ast Surgn U.S.AI CERTIFY, ON HONOR, That I have minutely inspected the Volunteer, Thomas Brooks previously to his enlistment, and that he was entirely sober when enlisted; that, to the best of my judgment and belief, he is of lawful age; and that, in accepting him as duly qualified to perform the duties of an able-bodied solider, I have strictly observed the Regulations which govern the recruiting service. This soldier has Blue eyes, Brown hair, Fair complexion, is 5 feet 8 inches high.
I, Thomas Brooks desiring to VOLUNTEER as a Soldier in the Army of the United States, for the term of THREE YEARS, Do declare, That I am Twenty years and - months of age; that I have never been discharged from the United States service on account of disability or by sentence of a court-martial, or by order before the expiration of a term of enlistment; and I know of no impediment to my serving honestly and faithfully as a soldier for three years.
GIVEN at PhiladelphiaI, Lt. J. A. Gregory DO CERTIFY, That I am the Guardian of Thomas Brooks; that the said Thomas Brooks is Twenty years of age; and I do hereby freely give my CONSENT to his volunteering as a SOLDIER in the ARMY OF THE UNITED STATES for the period of THREE YEARS.
GIVEN at PhiladelphiaI Certify, That at an ORPHANS' COURT, for the County aforesaid, held at PHILADELPHIA, on the Twelfth day of September A.D. one thousand eight hundred and sixty-two before the Honorable OSWALD THOMPSON, President, and his Associate Justices of said Court.
Witness my hand and the seal of the said Court, this Twelfth day of September A.D. one thousand eight hundred and sixty-two.
A. J. Forton