Charles Brooks lived during a time when the nation was experiencing a great upheaval that included the Civil War and westward expansion. He was born into slavery at Greenville, Mississippi, but made his way to Helena, Arkansas during the Civil War. Like thousands of other slaves, Brooks followed the federal army seeking freedom. They were granted that freedom in the Emancipation Proclamation, that went into effect on January 1, 1863. Shortly after, President Abraham Lincoln ordered the military to begin recruitment of African American men. The 1st Arkansas Infantry of African Descent was organized at Helena and sent southward to serve in Louisiana. Because of interest, another regiment was quickly begun. That unit would be designated the 2nd Arkansas Infantry of African Descent. Charles Brooks enlisted in this regiment on June 8, 1863.

      Like all volunteers, he had to list background information. Brooks stated that he had been born at Greenville, Mississippi and was a blacksmith. Although there had been keen interest at first among the freedmen, enlistment in the 2nd slowed, because many men did not want to leave their families. In fact, only four companies had been organized by the time confederate forces attacked Helena on July 4, 1863. Charles Brooks belonged to Company D and they held trenches along the Lower Little Rock Road during the battle. Following this union victory, the four companies of the 2nd transferred to Little Rock where they joined other companies to finally form the regiment. The 2nd was formally mustered into Federal service on September 4, 1863 and attached to the Department of Arkansas, Seventh Corps, Frontier Division, Second Brigade. On March 11, 1864, the Second was re-designated the Fifty-Fourth U.S. Colored Infantry Regiment. They were then marched back to Helena where they assumed garrison duty. While at Helena, Private Brooks was appointed corporal on April 19. In May 1864, the regiment was ordered to Fort Gibson in present-day Oklahoma. After constructing earthwork defenses around Fort Gibson, the regiment was engaged in the Second Battle of Cabin Creek on September 19, 1864. The 54th would participate in several more skirmishes as they protected supply trains going into Kansas and serving along the Arkansas River. On December 18, the 54th engaged Confederates along the Arkansas River and drove them away. For some reason, Corporal Brooks was reduced in ranks to private a day after this engagement. As the Civil War came to an end, the regiment was stationed at Little Rock. Charles Brooks was mustered out of service on August 27, 1866.