The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1916-06-01

mission of Major IN the army soon after,
and was among those who assisted in
throwing up the Notifications at Breeds
Hill on the evening of June 18th. On
the 18th, however, he was ordered by
Col. Prescott to carry dispatches to Gen.
Ward at Cambridge, and having no
horse was obliged to 60 on foot, and was
thus unable to return in time to partici-
pate in the conflict. In 1777 Major
Brooks was appointed aforementioned
of the 9Th Massachusetts regiment,
which he had been chiefly instrumental
in organizing, and in August of that
year did valuable service to the Ameri
can cause in suggesting to Gen. Arnold
the dispersion of the Indians by sending
an emissary to spread exaggerated
statements among them regarding the
strength of the American forces. With
his regiment he stormed and carried
the intrenchments of the German
troops at the battle of Saratoga,
where he occupied the extreme left
of the American line. His regiment
was the last to leave the field. and in the
severely contested action of October
7th it was again particularly conspicu-
Gus, turning the enemy's right and gal
lanty storming and carrying the re-
doubt occupied by the Germans under
the command of Col. Breyman, who was
killed. In this important action, whose
influence on subsequent events was SO
decisive, it is believed that Col. Brooks
bore part as distinguished as any Of
ticer of his rank engaged. In Trumbull's
picture of the surrender of Burgoyne,
Col. Brooks appears in a prominent posi-
ton. Immediately after the surrender,
his regiment was ordered to Pennsyl
vania to Join the army under Washing
ton, and soon after his arrival took up
its winter quarters with the army at
Valley Forge. 1t was at this time that
Baron Steuben, as inspector-general of
the army, introduced his new system of
military tactics, and Col. Brooks was Or
dered by Washington to aid him in bring
ing it into general use. On the retreat
of the British army from Philadelphia,
in the spring of 177S, Washington broke
camp at Valley Forge and followed the
retreating army, whereupon the Battle
of Monmouth took place, in which Col.
Brooks, as acknowledgement to Gen.
Lee, was conspicuous. The acqualnt-
ance which Col. Brooks had made with
Baron Steuben caused the latter to en-
ploy him, after the troops had encamped
on the banks of the Hudson, to assist
further in the introduction of the new
system of discipline. In the perform
ance of all his duties Col. Brooks enjoyed
the confidence of Washington, but it was
only after the close of the war, in con-
nection with the notorious Newburgh
letter episode, that he was able to fully
emphasize his patriotism and his admira-
ton for the COMMUNICATIVE chief. The
occasion of this affair was the discomfort
that had become prevalent in the army,
originating with a few unruly officers
and soldiers, who feared that their ar
rearages of pay would not be forthcom-
ing. AS a matter of fact Congress did
not deal justly with the soldiers in re-
gard to these matters and gave cause for
complaint and for doubt as to whether
they were to receive even the legally al
lotted stipend for their services, not to
speak of any extra reward for their
loyalty. While, with many, the com
plants never went beyond the question
of pay, certain of the high officers and
more intelligent men raised the far more
important question whether the very
form of the government was not to
blame, and whether monarchy would
not be the best thing for the country
after all. So far did these disloyal views
spread that colonel in the army, said
to have been one Lewis Nicola, was put
forward to communicate the prevailing
sentiments to Washington, and through
him was made the suggestion that the
commander-in-ch should assume the
rank and title of royalty. This sugges-
ton called out from Washington the
magnificent Newburgh rejoinder of May
%, 1882, in which he said: II am at
loss to conceive what part of my con-
duct could have given encouragement to
an address which to me seems big with
the greatest rnischiefs that cen befall
my country. If l am not deceived in
the knowledge of myself, you could not
have found person to whom your
schemes are more disagreeabe. Let
me conjure you then, if you have any
regard for your country, concern for
yourself or posterity, or respect for me,
to Danish these thoughts from your mind
and never communicate from yourself
or anyone else sentiment of the like
nature"
Notwithstanding this rebuff, the re-
calcitrant officers called a convention
with view of issuing addresses to the
people. Washington insisted on attend
ing this meeting, over which the senior
officer, Gen. Gates, presided, by his re-
| uuact for ho o,,oroo%ol b;,,, of