Veteran Stories - The Soldier Who Wouldn't Quit: James R. Crooks

I’ve been diving deep into the military records of our Lepley Family, and I have uncovered a story that is too good to keep to myself. My first project focuses on James R. Crooks (son-in-law to Jacob & Eleanor Lepley), and his Civil War service was nothing short of extraordinary. Most soldiers enlisted once. James enlisted three separate times. His war began in humiliation: his regiment was trapped and forced to surrender to Stonewall Jackson at the Battle of Harper's Ferry. But rather than going home defeated, James waited out his parole, re-enlisted, and went back to settle the score. He marched through the freezing mountains to capture the Cumberland Gap. He fought off General Forrest in the cedar thickets of Murfreesboro. And in one of the most incredible feats of the war, he survived a massive 1,400-mile journey by rail and sea—the "Great Circle"—transporting an entire army corps to surround the enemy.

The man who started the war as a prisoner ended it as a victor. He was there at Bennett Place to witness the final surrender of the Confederate army, effectively closing the book on the war. Stay tuned for the full story of this dedicated and brave man.

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