Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1848-06-07
For the Aduertiscr.
"REMINISCENCES OF THE PALMETTO REGT
LIT. WHIT. BUTLER BROOKS.

| LIT. WHIT. BUTLER BROOKS.
NO. XIII.
By heayen, ,nethinks, it were an easy leap,
To pluck bright honor from the pale fac'd
moon;
Or dive into the bottom Of the deep,
Where fatlom line could never touch the
ground,
And pluck up drowned honor by the locks
HENRY w.
w. B. Brooks was the young Harry
Percy of the Palmetto Regiment. With
more years OIL his head, AMI with broad.
Ell field Of action, he might have run ca.
reer in the field of arms, nnl less dazzling,
perhaps, than that of his ilusirious prolo.
typo himself. Within the narrow limits
10 which il was his destiny TO act, he dis
played qualities and performed deeds eve
ry way characteristic Of the hero Of Shake
speare. Brave. gallant, impeuous, he
was always ready 10 engage in the most
hazardous enterprises, aud never tailed TO
exhibit 10 his conduct noble bearing and
manly courage. And while displaying the
brilliant traits Of gallant warrior, he gave
evidence of the many excellent qualities
that characterize the true and polished
gentleman. IN The Litter point of Wow.
less than in the former, he represented,
inlrue spirit the best specimen ofthe south.
ern gentleman. With enough Of aristocraic
hauleur to avoid all low associations, yet
with affabilily of manners aud strong So
cial iucInations, tempered with chivalric
sentiments and love of glory, he was open
to The warmest attachments Of friendship,
and secured applause from his fellows
with no greater effort than by the exhibit
ton of that winning ease of manner en-
tirely nutural with him. If ;hcre was
anything after his acknowledged gallant
~, that rendered his character peculiarly
striking, i, was the strong element Of gen
llemanly principle that formed so promi.
nent feature in its composition. Thi 8
was, indeed, Distinguishing mark with
him. I, was in his every ac, and seemed
10 animate his every thought. Trace hin
through all the vicissitudes Of military
life, through the various grades Of sol.
der's duties, from the implicit obedience
required of him by the law, TO the partial
freedom of social revelry at times allow
ed, you will discover The principle alluded
10, 10 its noblest development. You will
see the same independence of character
the same ardent teT perament-ihe same
gentlemanly ,one-the same chivalric
bearing, displayed in all his acts, alike in
The camp aud on the field. As proof OF
what we state, may be ariduced the ,est-
mouy of all his comrades in arms, among
whom he enjoyed great popularity. hs
evidence still stronger. is the fact, that his
associations were by no means confined to
his equals in rank. He obtained the favor
and intimacy of those much above him .in
position. and whenever strict military Ell :
quette did not positively forbid. he was
admitted to all the privileges Of equality
and friendship. This may be regarded as
a mark Of decided merit, asitis very una
sual in-,he army, where, in order to pre-
serve proper discipline, rigid enforce
ment of outward formali,y, is most strictly
demanded. Governed by usual formalily.
in his subordinate station. .he must have been
excluded from equality Of intercourse with
those above him in rank; hnt by virtue OF
his siutellis sence. good breeding, & alloge,h
er gentlemanly department, hefnrmed one
of the few exceptions 10 favor IN the close
observance Of military etiquette.
By this exhibition Of qualities rarely
united in one oil his age, he exercised q
very i'm portani influence 10 preserving or.
der and decorutn in he Regiment. In his
example Of strict obedience to the orders
of his superiors, and in his readiness 10
condemn all low, riotous, or unbecoming
conduct, he taught the young men around
him a lesson oil practical wisdom, highly
important in the discharge Of military du
ty. This spirit of obedience aud order in
a soldier is virtue TOO shining in It's quail.
ties 100 important in its effects not 10
draw forth praise and admiration.
In this brief analysis of conduct, we
should not omit to mention the Zeal aud
energy, which marked the character OF
young Brooks in the discharge of his mil
itary dulies-quaIi'ics, he displayed in an
eminent degree before leaving The scenes
Of his boyhoud. 1t was in part by his iu-
s;rumentally, aided in his efforts by oth-
ers Of his comrades, Ihatlhe company from
his native district was raised in time 10 he
received into service. 70 effect this OBJ.
ject, he wrought with the greatest aclivi
ly. He rode by day and by uight. He
used persual;on upon persuasion. By
his chivalric appeals, he worked on the
imagination of his young friends in the
district, who could not withstand their
influence. and rallied under the banner Of
their country. But in his active zeal he
had damper to his feelings. An aged
father, feeble in health, leaned upon him
for mental support. He appealed t" bis
6liaJ affections: he begged him TO remain.
The sou, in sorrow and in tears, implored
for cons nj 10 60. The trial was severe.
/, required sacrifice. The young man
felt his honor pledge ged-aud he considered
it bis duty.to enroll. With heavy heart,
the father yielded him to his countrys call.
and invoked upon his head the blessings
of Providence. We were present when
this scene occurred iu the Court House at
Edgefeld village, and an occasion of more
deep and anxious excitement never hap
peued within our recollection. Tie large
assembly was filled with patriotic feeling,
and fathers with tears in their ewes. and