The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 9, July 1905 - April, 1906 Page: 201
ix, 294 p. : ill. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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Capt. John Sowers Brooks.
201
I have been waiting here for passage to Texas in the armed
schooner Invincible. Capt. Brown.
To Mr. A. H. Brooks, Staunton, Va.
(Post Marked New York Oct. 8th 1836.)
9.
China Grove, Texas, 20th Jan., 1837.
To Mr. A. G. Brooks,
Staunton, Va.
Dear Sir.-At the request of Dr. Field I address you these few
lines in relation to your deceased son. I was acquainted with him,
and as you want some little information in relation to him, I can
give you a little, although you must excuse this bad writing, as I
am still laboring under a severe attack of bilious fever and saliva-
tion; He was made adjutant of the Post of Goliad and acted as
such until a Mr. Bristow arrived in February, when he was super-
ceded. He was then advanced to the Staff, and in fact was, as I
have heard Col Fannin say, the most useful person about the fort.
He built, or at least he drafted the plan of laying a half-moon bat-
tery, which gave great satisfaction, and was a masterpiece which
did him great credit. It was called Brooks's Battery, and the sol-
diers performed the work. Also several other things, which if
Fannin had remained, would have played havoc amongst the Mex-
icans. Amongst them all was a frame of wood containing 100
muskets, which they call in France an Infernal Machine. He and
Chadwick used to drill the whole of the men every day, Your son
was loved by all, as a good officer, as a gentleman, and for his
amiable disposition. He was severe, but commanded respect from
all. I lived with Fannin and knew his sentiments toward your
son, which were the following;-that when I started to see the
Govt in relation to some Mexicans and other business of Fannin's,
he recommended your son and Chadwick strongly to the Govt. I
hoped that they would both be forwarded to the Regular Service
instead of the Volunteer Service, and to be commissioned not less
than Major, as they were military men, Your son he also stated,
was an excellent Engineer. I carried these letters on to the Gov-
ernor myself. I saw a letter from Mr. Brook's sister in June last.
A Mr. Atwell opened it and told me to read it, He stated to me
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Texas State Historical Association. The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 9, July 1905 - April, 1906, periodical, 1906; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101036/m1/205/: accessed April 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.