Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1904-04-01

At the age of 10 years he returned to
Hrattleboro and assisted in raising com
panN +, of the 4th regiment, Vermont
Volunteers, going tn the front with that
regiment as first lieutenant of his com
panN Soon afterwards he was appointed
adjutant of the 18th regiment 1t was
said that his voice was SO loud and his
orders so distinct that he was easily
heard throughout the line Subsequently,
was commissioned major of the 7th
Regiment. which position he held until
sent To the Department of the Gulf.
After the death of Col Roberts of the
Seventh, who was killed i'm battle. and
on the earnest recommendation of the
general commanding that department. he
vas commissioned colonel of the eth
regiment which position he held until
the close of the war. He was the young
est colonel in the United States army.
Icing few weeks over 20 years old at
the time of his commission. His regiment
was stationed at Fort Pensacola and Fort
Parrancas adjoining. and Col. Hulbruul
was ever after m command # the north
EN- district of Florida. He also served as
brigade commander of the 18th and 18th
Army Corps The battles in which he ac-
lively participated included Nicksbulg.
Grand Gulf, Baton Rouge Jackspn's
Bridge Gonzales Station. Spanish Fort,
BlakeH Whistler and Mobile.
Admiral Farragut had his headquarters
'tltl'lltb It ltHSdtbld, ana NOl ltOlD1oOk
became intimately acquainted with the ia
nous adr.iral and his staff which in
cluded Admiral Clark. afterwards com
mander of the world famed battle ship
Oregon, which made the famous cruisa
around Cape Horn ana participated so
Srandly in the capture OF admiral Ger
Vcras fleet at Santiago. Admiral Farra-
suit, of congenial spirit. and his staff used
occasionally to dine with Col. HolbrOok at
his headquarters, where wild turkey and
other wild game of Florida were served,
to the delight of sailor friends Occas-
ionaly the colonel in return dined with
the admiral aboard ship.
Col. Holbrook regiment became eX-
pert gunnerS in heavy artillery by prac-
tce al Fort Barrancas. The 18th Yer
mont was a part of the land force par
ticipating with Admiral Farragut i'm the
capture of Mobile, the soldiers advance
ing by land as the admiral sailed up the
harbor, and they We're in at the capture
of the city.
1t was through the efforts of Col. IIol-
brook that the Seventh Regiment of Yer
mont Volunteers obtained redress after
being grossly traduced by Major Cen
eral BENJAMIN F. Butler after the battle
of Baton Rouge. During the engagement
Col. George T. Roberts was killed. Col.
Holbrook, then major, was ordered to
report in person to Gen. Butler. who in
formed him that he had been recommend
ed for the vacant colonelcy, and at the
same time told him tnat he had prepared
an order rebuking the regiment for dis
creditable behavior in the face of the
enemy" Col Holbrook stoutly maintained
that the regiment had done nothing mer
| ting censure, but in spite of his remon-
STRANGE Gen. Butler issued his order stat
! ing that they broke in confusion when
not pressed by the enemy that Col. Rob
erts fell while rallying his men, that the
! regiment refused to marcel to the aid of
an Indiana regiment, and that they fired
| into the Indiana regiment killing and
| wounding several. For these reasons Gen.
| Butler said he should not permit the
| name of the battle to be inscribed on the
regiments colors.
Col. Holbrook demanded of the adju-
! tant general "a complete investigation,
which was ordered, but unfortunately the
court of inquiry was selected by Gen.
Butler. and although many of the charges
were proven to be untrue the findings
were not satisfactory Afterwards board
of officers was convened by Gen. Phil
| Sheridan to report concerning the SER
vices of the Seventh at Baton Rouge.
They gave the regiment full vindication,
and Gen. Sheridan ordered that the name
of the battle be inscribed on the regi-
mental colorS.