8th Illinois

Captain Rufus M. Hooker of the 8th Illinois and Connection to Robert E. Lee

Captain Rufus M. Hooker of the 8th Illinois and Connection to Robert E. Lee

The story of Rufus M. Hooker, who mustered into the 8th Illinois Cavalry on September 1st, 1861 as a Captain in St. Charles, IL. Through new research, it has been discovered that Hooker was subsequently the first blood drawn by Confederate General Robert E. Lee when he was killed at the Battle of Mechanicsville on June 26th, 1862.