Horace Brooks (August 14, 1814 – January 13, 1894) was an officer in the Regular Army of the United States from 1835 – 1877.

After graduating the United States Military Academy at West Point, he served in the Second Seminole War.

At the close of the civil war, he was awarded the honorary grade of brevet brigadier general.

Just months after graduating, Brooks saw combat when his regiment was deployed to Florida during the Second Seminole War.

During the years leading up to the Civil War, he was in command of the light battery school at Fort Leavenworth in Kansas.

In November 1861, the Trent Affair increased tensions between the United States and Great Britain and Brooks was transferred to Fort Jefferson in the Florida Keys to prepare for possible attack by the British.