Lewis
Francis Brest was born on May 15, 1842 in Mercer Co., Pennsylvania. On
December 13, 1861 he enlisted as a private in the 57th Penna. Volunteer
Infantry Regiment, Company 'E'. During the next four years Private
Brest would remain with his regiment and share the hardships of warfare
with his comrades. Together they would fight on the fields of
Virginia, during the Peninsula Campaign, The Seven Days Battle, Second
Battle of Manassas, Fredericksburg, and Chancellorsville Campaign. In
June of 1863, Private Brest would suffer the effects of typhoid fever
which would confine him to the regimental hospital, and prevent him
from being in the ranks of the 57th, as they fought along the
Emmitsburg Rd just South of Gettysburg. He would slowly recover from
the effects of the fever and return to his regiment later that year. He
would be present in the front lines from the last months of 1863 to the
end of the war. During those last months of 1863 the Country would ask
the men of the 57th to reenlist for three more years to see the end of
this terrible Civil War. Private Brest would reenlist like many of his
comrades and they would be designated as Veteran Volunteers.
He
would march with the 57th as they crossed the Rapidan River under the
command of General U.S. Grant during the spring of 1864. During this
campaign Private Brest would be wounded in the neck, however the wound
would not keep him out of action for long. The 57th Penna. Infantry
would continue to fight and die with the Army of the Potomac on their
final move toward Richmond and the defeat of the rebel Army of Northern
Virginia. The 57th would find themselves in the trenches surrounding
Petersburg, Va., where they entered into the tedious trench warfare for
the next several months. During this period many of the companies were
consolidated due to increasing casualties, Prvt. Brest would now find
himself a part of Company 'D'. As the ever tightening noose began to
tighten around |
Lewis Francis Brest
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General
Lee and his rebel army, the time finally came when Richmond City and
the rebel government had to be abandoned. As the 57th pushed into
Petersburg in their pursuit of the retreating confederates, Private
Brest and his comrades realized the end of four terrible years was
rapidly approaching. On April 6, 1865 as the battle lines were again
forming near a stream known as Sailor's Creek, the 57th was preparing
to deliver a death blow to their vanquished foes. As the two lines of
battle crashed together in the hand to hand combat that ensued, Private
Brest captured the enemies battleflag. For his bravery in this action
he was awarded our Countries Highest Honor, the 'Medal of Honor.'
On
April 24, 1865 Private Lewis F. Brest received for his meritorious
actions on the battlefield, a thirty day Leave of Absence from the War
Department. This furlough would take him out of the camps of his
regiment to a well deserved rest, and away from the terrible scenes of
war. After his thirty day leave, Lewis returned to duty with his
regiment and would take part in the Grand Review through the streets of
Washington, D.C. On June 29, 1865, along with the rest of the 57th Pa.
Regiment, he would be mustered out of the United States Army.
Lewis
F. Brest would return to Mercer County after the end of the War and
here pursued the quiet life of a civilian. He would marry, Margaret J.
Hummel, and live the rest of his life with the effects of his wounds
received in the defense of his beloved country. He was a member of the
local 'Grand Army of the Republic' (GAR) Post in Mercer, Pa, enjoying
the company of his comrades of old. On the 2nd day of December, 1915 at
the age of 73 years, this hero of forgotten battlefields died at the
home of his daughter. In the announcement of his death in the local
newspapers, no mention was made of his distinguished service to his
country in time of war, or of his being awarded the Congressional Medal
of Honor. Private Brest was buried in Citizen's Cemetery in Mercer, Pa.
in a grave donated by the local GAR Post, with a headstone which simply
read; Prvt. Lewis F. Brest 57th Pa. Infantry.
On May 30, 1997
'Memorial Day', the members of the Western Pennsylvania Civil War
Reenactors Society, Mercer County Historical Society, planned a special
Dedication Ceremony for this important part of our American Heritage.
Through their efforts the United States Government awarded Private
Lewis F. Brest a new memorial headstone, that has engraved upon it in
gold; Lewis F. Brest 'Medal of Honor' Pvt Co 'D' 57 Pa Inf. May 15,
1842 Dec 2, 1915
Also in October 2000 for the first time in
over 90 years the 'Soldier and Sailors Memorial Hall' in Pittsburgh,
Pa. inducted Lewis F. Brest as one of the newest member into their
prestigious 'Hall of Valor'. This was also the first time that a
Veteran outside of Allegheny County had been honored in this manner.
Members of the Western Pa.Civil War Reenactors Society were invited to
take part in the ceremony and to accept the award on behalf of Private
Brest and Mercer County. Now the veteran who had been laid to rest
without any recognition of his personal contribution to our American
History has been finally recognized as one of Mercer Counties most
illustrious Sons.
Source: Biography taken from the Dedication Ceremony Program MCHS, Submitted by Timothy Bennett |
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