Portland gazette and Maine advertiser. (Portland, Me.) 1805-1818, 1816-03-12

stances, ana being 1ully SdtlSneu vi TIE eIror,
and that the officers and men of the regiment
had done their duty, assured them that the
mistake should be corrected and published in
General Orders. In this transaction was dis
played the magnanimity and goodness of our
immortal WAsHNGToN, the affection and re
gard he entertained for the officers and men OF
this regiment. The writer of this article per-
sonay knows that Gen. Washington at this
time considered Brooks as an officer of real
merit.
In i777 Brooks was ordered to the north,
to assist in repeing the invasion of Burgoyne,
at this time he commanded the 9th Massa-
chusetts regiment in the absence of Col. NJ.
Jackson On his rout to Albany he was or
dered to proceed and relieve Fort Stanwicks
on his arrival at Fort Dayton in August, Capt.
Butler with a number Of Indians appeared on
| the other side of the river as was supposed by
| the American commander, for the purpose of
watching the movements OF the army Vol
| unteers were called for TO tord the river in the
night and if possible, take them prisoners and
bring them into the fort. Col. Brooks step
ped forward, headed the detachment, and for
ded the river, took Butler and his party and
| brought them into the fort
| From fort Dayton he marched to fort Stan
wicks and assisted in relieving the distressed
situation that garrison were in by being sur
rounded by st. Ledger's corps of British
Grenadiers, & Buffers, Johnson's, az Grants
tribes Of Indians. On the appearance OF the
American army they gave way, and Col.
Brooks was ordered by Arnold TO follow them
and attack them in their rear, take all the
provisions and baggage possible. This order
was complied with cheerul!y and bravely by
Col. Brooks, who returned with prisoners and
baggage after driving them to the Lake by the
way Of Wood Greek. The Fort was left in good
order under the command of Col. Gansenvoort
of New FORK. This army returned down the
Mohawk and crossed by Lawdens Ferry and
joined Gen. Gates army at Saltwater. The
first action that was fought between these two
armies was on the 10Th day of September.
l777. Here we find this faithful officer SO
much inquired after, at the head of the eighth
regiment, bravely fighting IN bis country's
cause and in Gen. Gates and Lincolns rec
ords you will find the name of Brooks highly
estimated. On the 7th of October we find
him at the head of column OF bis regiment
ener Burgoyn's redoubt, driving whole Ger
man brigade before him, taking prisoners,
warIike implements, baggage, &c. which he
continued 10 hold aud send into the American
camp. On the l7th day OF October, Burgoyne
surrendered his army into the hands of Gen.
Gates. After this Col Brooks marched to
Valley Forge in Pennsylvania, and joined the
army under Gen. Washington Here we find
the name OF Brooks shining with double bril-
iiancy; he is now serving bis country in a
two fold sense the eighth regiment, under his
command, was taken down with the small pox,
he performed the duty Of commanding officer,
urgeon and surgeons mate for he had neither
II the two latter with him. Had not the
Colonel been bred physician, the regiment,
the army, and his country must have suffered
greatly at this distressing time. After tie
army, recovered from the small pox in the
spring of 1879 Baron Steuben, formerly a
Prussian Officer, arrived at Valley Forge with
the rank of Major General in the Continental
army and acted as Inspector General. He un-
dertook to regulate the Continental army and
teach them uniformity of discipline. When
the army was paraded for his inspection in
May 1878. he observed to Gen. " ashineton
he must have sub Inspector appointed to
assist him in performing this service the Gen.
told him that he might select any field officer
that he thought would render him the most
service. Alter he had gone through the line of
the army and seen all the officers exercise
Heterogeneous, the Baron made choice of Col.
Brooks, for his Sub Inspector in preference
to any other field officer in the army. Gen.
Washington being highly satisfied with his
choice, appointed him accordingly. Col.
Brooks performed this duty to the great salts
faction of all concerned. In the memorable
battle of Monmouth we find him Adutant Gen.
OF the advanced column of the army. In
1873 we find this great and good man doing
tie duty of Adutant General in the garrison Of
West Point. In 1880 he was appointed to
the command Of the 18th Massachusetts regi
ment, which he continued TO command until
the country was blessed with peace, freedom,
and independence.
Here we find the gentleman enquired after
so much, called upon as one out OF ten tLou.
sand.
when an anonymous summons was Giro ula-
ted IN the camp, so subversiye of all good or
der, General Washington convened the Off
GERS nj the army an1 Iol,ya,ol ~.