William Miller Alsobrook

ALSOBROOK, WILLIAM M. (1834~1916) Confederate Veteran, William M. Alsobrook is also listed in military records as W.M. Alsobrooks. He was born in South Carolina in 1834. Not much is known about his early life. A physical description from records states he had a dark complexion, black hair, dark eyes, and was 5'11'' in height.

When Alsobrook enlisted in the 4th North Carolina Cavalry, Dearing‘s brigade, (which merged later with the 59th Regiment, North Carolina State Troops) on May 10, 1862 he was a trumpeter. He served four years and was present on military roll calls during the Brandy Station conflict, Upperville, Williamsport and Gettysburg. According to military records he was hospitalized in July of 1863, around the time of Williamsport and Gettysburg, and returned to duty November of 1863.

Alsobrook himself states the nature of an injury he received in Reminiscences of the Boys in Gray, 1861 - 1865, compiled by Miss Mamie Yeary, saying he "was wounded badly at Dinwiddle Court House, Virginia by shot in right leg."

He appears on military records as present until September of 1864, and then there is a gap in the time in which he is unaccounted for. Alsobrook appears on a Roll of Prisoners of War captured in Richmond, Virginia Hospitals on April 3, 1865 and he was transferred to a hospital at Point Lookout May 2, 1865. He then appears of a Roll of Prisoners of War at Washington Street Hospital in Petersburg, Virginia May 25, 1865. By wars end, his title had changed to bugler. According to Alsobrook‘s pension application he was released on June 26th, 1865 upon taking the Oath of Allegiance to the United States government.

Alsobrook moved to Texas in 1879, and lived in Taylor County from 1881 until his pension application was made in 1902. His post office box was in Abilene. He listed his occupation as a farmer, producing agriculture for hosiery and undergarments. Alsobrook was married at some point, though no there is no information concerning his wife, other than she was deceased when he entered the Confederate Men‘s Home November 26, 1908. He did list a daughter, a Mrs. A.A. Johnson of Buffalo Gap, Texas, and a S.M. Alsobrook of Dania, Florida as correspondents. His records indicate that he was a Presbyterian. William M. Alsobrook died February 26, 1916 and was buried in the Texas State Cemetery.

Source Information from: Compiled military records, Confederate‘s Application for a Pension, Confederate Home Roster, and the National Park Service website at itd.nps.gov.