1807 - 1866

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• Birth	4 Jan 1807	Watertown, Canadaqua, New York
  Gender	Male
  Died	17 Jan 1866	Watertown, Jefferson, New York
  Person ID	I2278	Brainard (Brainerd) / Foster / Fish
  Last Modified	26 May 2004 00:00:00
  Father	Daniel BRAINERD, b. 29 Dec 1782, Of, Watertown, Jefferson, New York
  Mother	Larrain HUNGERFORD, b. 1784, Bristol, Hartford, Connecticut
  Family ID	F897	Group Sheet
  Family	Mary Seymour HOOKER, b. 28 Nov 1808
  Children	1. Orville Hungerford BRAINERD, b. 2 Nov 1838
  Family ID	F900	Group Sheet

• Notes

  Dr Brainard: Herewith I enclose you my commission of Brigadier General which I desire you file away with the others. I do not know whether you have written me or not lately for I have really been so busy with my brigade that I have not been able to go into town. If I can find time I shall try to get to the city today when I shall hope to hear from you. I am in camp about six miles from the city on the Bladensburg road & pretty near the old battle ground of that name ? a name which Americans do not care to remember. I have now the full machinery of my command in motion with the exception of my staff. These I shall appoint as soon as I can determine on the proper persons to hold the positions. I have done nothing in regard to Orville. I shall not until after I learn his wishes - It is my wish that he should join me but in matters of this kind I do not feel disposed to advise you. It is for you and Mary to determine. I have four good regiments tho they require discipline & instruction before I can place much reliance on them under fire. I have the 1st and 11th Regt from Mass, the 2d N Hampshire & the 26th Penn. ? & not the N.Y. Regts as was at first contemplated. I am now endeavoring to make good use of the time in preparation. It is with deep regret that I learn of Lyons death ? for with the exception of McClelan he is the only officer who has done anything worthy of mention from the [beginning] of the rebellion. I suppose you remember him. He made some of the elements required for a popular and successful commander. Stupendous preparations are now making in the vicinity for another advance. I do trust & believe that something will come from it besides disaster. No movement however will be likely to be made inside of from four to six weeks. Give my best love to all. I write in haste as you will conclude when I tell you that I have almost four thousand men to look after without a single staff officer. Will write you as often as I can. Yrs truly, Jos. Hooker