318 HISTORY OF BROOKLYN.

tation which this amiable and talented soldier had won for himself, that all, and especially the officers, vied with each other in manifesting their own good-will, as well as their appreciation of his merits. The general’s headquarters were in a small house on the shore, where, early in the spring of 1781, he was joined by his wife and family. His domestic comfort, however, was much disturbed by his apprehensions of capture by the Americans, who were always on the alert, and to whom the peculiar nature of the country, with its bays, creeks, and inlets, afforded many chances of success. That his fears were not unfounded, was proved by the fate of one of his officers, Major Maibom, who, having just been exchanged, was one night surprised in his bed and hurried into a second captivity.1 Riedesel knew that he was a prize much coveted by the Americans, and having recently suffered from the inconveniences and hardships of captivity, took especial pains not to be caught “napping.” So careful was he, “that he slept only while his wife was awake; the least noise brought him out of his bed.” He had sentinels in and about his house, but never trusted entirely to their watchfulness.2 The detail of guard-service had been much neglected by the English officers previously in command, but Riedesel instituted very thorough and wholesome reforms in this respect. At a quarter to nine o’clock every morning the guards assembled at the rendezvous, where the parade was formed in four sections. The pickets who had been on duty during the previous night were also obliged to be present at this parade, but were allowed to return to their barracks at its conclusion. At half-past six o’clock in the evening was the

1 Probably the one mentioned by Onderdonk, Kings Co., sec. 189: “On Sunday night April 15th, Capt. Huyler, of Brunswick, made a descent on Michael Bergen’s house, at Gowanus, and captured a Hessian major and ensign, with their waiters. They were in the centre of two picket guards, yet the address of Huyler was such that the guards were not alarmed until be was fairly out of reach.”

2 There were at this time (1781) quartered at, Flatbush a battalion composed of Ger troops, with German officers, and commanded by Major Lucke. The exchanged Brunswick dragoons, who had been made prisoners at Bennington, were also stationed there, under Captain von Schlagenteuffel, sen., to whom, in general orders of April 29th, General Riedesel says, “Captain von Schlagenteuffel, sen., in locating (i. e. quartering) the officers of the regiment of dragoons, will make such arrangements that no officer runs the risk of being captured.” And, on the 6th of May, he issued “special instruct tions regulative for the different guards in and around Brooklyn.”