<: « - <: « ■ '■'■SSf- <-<% 4C *Q c c ; "<:V ^< <2 < <_ < c < c < c <: c :< C3 C < c < < c c <■ < c c e c c C ; ^:> * < < < 5 > < c*^/^ #< < ■ ■ <- c Co CJ-. <<- - Is c< GC <: < - < ■ . c < c .<: <- < " < c < c CO <>• ■■■.. PHILADELPHIA: PUBLISHED BY T. K. & P. G. COLLINS. 1848. 6 o w H (^) rr> ? ggS LIFE OF MAJOR-GENERAL ZACHARY TAYLOR. T is not our purpose, in the present sketch of the life and services of General Taylor, to give a minute history of all those im- portant military transactions by which he has added lustre to the American name, in the several wars which have occurred since the year 1812. They form a'part of the history of our country ; and will serve to invigorate the national spirit for centuries to come. All men are familiar with the illustrious general's deeds of arms. We shall therefore confine ourselves to a very rapid sketch of his battles and sieges, while we dwell with more em- phasis on those anecdotes and personal traits which serve to exhibit in unmistakeable traits the character of the man. What the country wants in the present momentous crisis of na- tional affairs is, to place at the helm a man, who, by his long and faithful services, and by those individual acts, which are unpre- meditated, has evinced a character of firm- ness, disinterestedness, patriotism, and respect for the constitution and the laws, which cannot but inspire his fellow-citizens with LIFE OF GENERAL TAYLOR. confidence, and enable them to intrust their dearest interests to his care with a feel ing that in his hands they will be perfectly safe. The country has already uttered its voice on this subject, in tones which resound from Maine to Texas. It is our purpose to show, that in pronouncing that General Taylor is the man for the crisis, the country has made no mistake. ACHARY TAYLOR was born in Orange county, Virginia, in the year 1784. Soon after his birth, Colonel Richard Tay- lor, his father, emigrated to Kentucky, and settled near the present city of Louisville. When young, he was studious in his habits ; possessed an inquiring mind, and an uncon- querable love of action. He not only performed feats of strength, which elicited the applause of friends and the rivalry of his associates, but is said to have looked forward with anxiety to the time when his age would permit him to join the army._ The dangers to which the new settlements were then exposed, from the incursions of hostile Indians, tended to foster this feeling ; and young men, of less ardent minds, would frequently meet to drill and receive that training, which all then felt to be useful and necessary. 'On the 3d of May, 1808, immediately after the attack on the Chesapeake, he was appointed a lieutenant in the 7th regiment of infantry. From this time until the breaking out of hostilities in 1812, he performed various military duties, and was promoted to the command of a company. In the latter part of this year he was under Governor Shelby, both in Kentucky and Indiana, resisting the encroachments of the Indians, who, at every opportunity, would fall on the settlers, murdering, all, without distinction of age or sex. In the latter part of 1812, Captain Taylor was invested with the command of Fort Harrison, in Indiana, a small and weakly fortified work, situated in the heart of a country inhabited by the Miamis, and other hostile tribes. On the 3d of Sep- tember, a body of Indians, comprising men, women, and children, assembled before the fort and requested admittance, under pretence of holding a council. They also pretended to be greatly in want of provisions. The captain gave them some- thing to eat, but refused admittance. Notwithstanding this repulse, they loitered about the fort till the night of the 4th, when they fired one of the block-houses, while at the same moment a large body of warriors, who had been lying in am- bush, commenced a brisk fire. This was promptly returned by the little garrison, until some women, in the fort, rushed among the soldiers with loud cries, when the whole scene became one of inexpressible confusion. Taylor, however, remained cool, and by strenuous exertions restored order and maintained 'the defence. As the block-house burned down he constructed a work across the opening; and although the Indians made several desperate charges to enter the breach, they were repulsed in every attempt. At daybreak they retreated, but still hovered around the fort until \he 7th. In this affair Taylor had three men killed and three wounded. All his provisions, except a small supply of green corn, were consumed with the block-house, thus subjecting his men to great suffering, for want of food. The whole garrison did not exceed fifty men, of whom nearly one-half were sick; they were, consequently, in no condition to relieve themselves by a pursuit of the enemy. In consequence of his conduct in this affair, he was brevetted a major, and is the oldest brevet offi- cer in the United States. He accompanied General Hopkins in his expedition against the Indians of the Wabash, and was highly commended for the manner in which he performed various duties. Zealously performing his duty after the close of the war, Major Taylor remained in the West, shifting his position as the service of his country required him. In 1832, he became colonel of the 6th infantry. Of bis service in the Black Hawk war, the following characteristic anecdote is related : " Some time after Stillman's defeat by Black Hawk's band, Taylor, marching with a large body of volunteers and a handful of regulars in pursuit of the hostile LIFE OF GENERAL TAYLOR. 5 Indian force, found himself approaching Reck river, then asserted by many to be the true north-western boundary of the state of Illinois. The volunteers, as Taylor was informed, would refuse to cross the stream. They were militia, they said, called out for the defence of the state, and it was unconstitutional to order them to march beyond its frontier into the Indian country. Taylor thereupon halted his command, and encamped within the acknowledged boundaries of Illinois. He would not, as the relator of the story said, budge an inch farther without orders. He had already driven Black Hawk out of the state, but the question of crossing Rock river seemed hugely to trouble his ideas of integrity to the constitution on one side, and military expediency on the other. During the night, however, orders came, either from General Scott or General Atkinson, for him to follow up Black Hawk to the last. The quietness of the regular colonel, meanwhile, had rather encouraged the mutinous militia to bring their proceedings to a head. A sort of town meeting was called upon the prairie, and Taylor invited to attend. After listening sonre time very quietly to the proceedings, it became Rough and Ready's turn to address the chair. ' He had heard,' he said, ' with much pleasure the views which several speakers had expressed of the independence and dignity of each private American citizen. He felt that all gentlemen there present were his equals — in reality, he was persuaded that many of them would in a few years be his superiors, and perhaps, in the capacity of members of Congress, arbiters of the fortune and reputation of humble servants of the republic like himself. He expected then to obey them as interpreters of the will of the people; and the best proof he could give that he would obey them, was now to observe the orders of those whom the people had already put in the places of authority, to which many gentlemen around him justly aspired. In plain Eng- lish, gentlemen and fellow-citizens, the word has been passed on to me from Wash- ington to follow Black Hawk, and to take you with me as soldiers. I mean to do both. There are the flat-boats drawn up on the shore, and here are Uncle Sam's men drawn up behind you on the prairie.' " ' Stra-anger,' added the man who told the story, * the way those militiamen sloped into those flat-boats was a caution. Not another word was said. Had Zach Taylor been with Van Renssellaer at Niagara river, in the last war, 1 rayther think he'd a taught him how to get militiamen over a ferry.' " Taylor, as is well known, did follow Black Hawk through the prairies of north- ern Illinois, through the wooded gorges, the rocky fells, the plashy rice pools, the hitherto unbroken wilderness of western Wisconsin. The militiamen gave out from day to day; the country became impassable to horses, and the volunteer set- tlers who had first seized arms merely to repel an Indian foray, refused to submit their backs to the necessary burdens in carrying their own supplies, through the deep swamps and almost impervious forests. At last the very Indians themselves, whom Taylor thus desperately pursued from day to day, and week to week, began to sink from fatigue and exhaustion : they were found by our men stretched beside their trails, while yet the good Anglo-Norman blood of Taylor's band held out amid sufferings, in the wilderness, which the child of the forest himself could not endure. The battle of the Bad-Axe, and. the rout of Black Hawk, by Taylor, at length terminated this arduous march. " The steamer bearing Atkinson and his reinforcements reached the junction of the Bad-Axe and the Mississippi, just as the encounter was over, and we believe brought Taylor, along with his prisoners, back to Fort Crawford, where, after landing the former, she passed on to St. Louis." GENERAL TAYLOR S CARE FOR HIS SOLDIERS. General Taylor, in 1814—15, was a captain, or perhaps a major by brevet, and stationed with his company at Green Bay — at that time far beyond the limits of civilization. The paymaster received from the government the necessary, funds to pay off the United States troops, which funds, save a small amount, he exchanged LIFE OF GENERAL TAYLOR. General Taylor refusing the Paymaster's paper. for the hills of J. IT. Piatt & Co., bankers, in the city of Cincinnati — this was a "business transaction" on private account. The paymaster proceeded to Detroit, and there paid off the soldiers in this individual responsibility paper — he then proceeded to Mackinaw, and there paid the soldiers in like manner; lastly he reached Green Bay. Here again the paymaster, with proper official solemnity, counted out to Captain Taylor the bills of J. H. Piatt & Co., bankers, for the sol- diers. " Old Zach looked at the " rags," and said — "Is this the stuff you intend to pay u'sP" The paymaster assured him it was the same he paid to the men at Detroit and Mackinaw, "but," says he, with a knowing wink, "I have United States Bank for your officers.'''' To this Captain Taylor replied — " Sir, my men can receive no money that I am unwilling to take myself — go back and get us good money." EATTLE OF OKEE-CHO-BEE. N 1836, Colonel Taylor was ordered, with his refifiment, to Florida. On the 25th of December, with about five hundred men, he met nearly seven hundred Indians, under Alligator, Sam Jones, and Coa-Cochee, on the banks of Lake Okee- Cho-bee. These chiefs had previously sent a challenge to the colonel, telling him where to find them, and bantering him to come on. The In- dians were concealed in a thick swamp, covered in front by a small stream, whose quicksands rendered it almost impassable; The Americans pushed through this obstacle in the face of a deadly fire, charged the swamp, and drove out — the enemy. The action was long and severe — the Indians disputing the ground inch by inch, and yielding only to the bayonet. At the end of three hours, a rapid pursuit com- menced, which lasted until night. Taylor lost one hundred and thirty-nine, killed LIFE OF GENERAL TAYLOR. 7 and wounded, among the former, five officers. He was on horseback during the whole engagement, passing from point to point, cheering his men to the conflict, and every moment exposed to the Indian rifle. Soon after this battle, Congress conferred upon him the rank of brigadier-gene- ral by brevet, together with the chief command of the Florida war. The Indians had learnt to fear him, and his future course in that country was more arduous than brilliant. In 1S40, he was relieved by General Armistead, and ordered to the com- mand of the southern department of the army, including the states of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia ; his head-quarters were at Fort Jessup, Louisiana. Claybank. GENERAL TAYLOR'S HORSE. » During the war with the Seminoles, the army was frequently supplied with corn which had become damaged by exposure to damp air. General Taylor had a horse which was called " Claybank," a very good animal, but he did not particularly fancy Uncle Sam's musty rations. The general used to partake of the same fare as the soldiers under him, and so did " Claybank," so far as the corn was concerned, but he was a little dainty. The general was very fond of hominy, and musty corn made any thing but a pleasant diet. He would not lay himself liable to the suspicion of picking, to the prejudice of the soldiers, so old " Claybank" would be let loose among the sacks of corn, and after smelling very carefully, the sagacious animal would commence gnawing a hole into one which pleased him. The general would watch the manoeuver juntil he saw " Claybank" had made a choice, then, calling his servant, would direct him to have " Claybank" stabled immediately, for fear he might do mischief; but he would say, " As the animal has gnawed a hole in the bag, take out a quart or so of the corn to make a dish of hominy." The trick was played several times, but by-and-by it became known that whenever " Claybank" gnawed into a sack, swe^t corn was to be found, and the incident became a standing joke during the war. GENERAL TAYLOR S INTREPIDITY. At the time General Taylor was conducting the Florida war against the Seminoles, he became remarkable among the Indians for his singular disregard of danger. He 8 LIFE OF GENERAL TAYLOR. never hesitated to move about unattended, and generally, when riding out on im- portant business, he kept a mile or two ahead of his escort. No matter how rainy Indians were prowling about, the old general seemed unconscious that they would harm him, and often, when only armed parties could escape attack, General Taylor would trust himself alone, under some wide-spreading tree in close proximity with the enemy, and thus circumstanced he would eat his frugal meal, and, if desirable, indulge in a sound sleep. At the time the Indians were most troublesome to our troops, General Taylor announced his determination to go from Fort King to Tampa Day, which journey would take him through nearly one hundred miles of hostile country. The jaunt was considered by every body as a most desperate adventure. The morning for starting came, when Old Zack's companions, Major Bliss and a young lieutenant, began to look wistfully around for the appearance of the escort. In due time, six dragoons, all saddled and bridled, made their appearance ; there was a force to meet several thousand wily Seminoles, who filled up every nook and corner between Fort King and Tampa Bay ! After some hesitation, one of the general's friends suggested that the escort was not sufficiently strong, and that a requisition should be made for a greater force. Old Zack examined the appearance of the six dragoons attentively for a moment, and then remarked, if the number was not sufficient, two more might be added to it. COMMENCEMENT OF THE MEXICAN WAR. HILE General Taylor was remaining at Fort Jessup, the difficulties between the United States and Mexico, con- cerning the annexation of Texas, were approaching a crisis ; and he was appointed to the command of a corps of observation, to be located in the disputed territory for ; its protection. He proceeded to Corpus Christi, re- mained there for some months, and afterwards marched towards the Rio Grande. Part of his forces he stationed on the river opposite Matamoras, and part at Point Isa- bel, a village twenty-eight miles eastward, on the Gulf of Mexico. The Mexicans, considering this occupation of a district which they claimed, as a declaration of war, notified Genesal Taylor of the same, and began active preparations for resistance. The Americans constructed a fort opposite Matamoras, while the enemy, after capturing a small party under Cap- tain Thornton, crossed the river, above the city, and spread themselves in the woody region west of Point Isabel. Their apparent design was to capture the latter station, and then besiege KBSBSBSBHSBBSiiiBHiEB ~" -— — - — 5 < the oilier fort with an overwhelming force, and compel its surrender. Learning, through Cap- tain Walker, the critical state of his main depot, General Taylor promptly determined upon a move- ment which should pro- tect it, and re-establish a communication with his supplies. Accordingly, on the evening of the 1st of May, 1846, leaving nearly eight hundred troops, under Major Brown, to protect the camp on the river, he marched with the main army towards Point Isabel. Defence of Fort Brown. LIFE OF GENERAL TAYLOR. 9 Two days after this movement the Mexicans commenced a bombardment of the river fort, both from the city and the open field to the eastward. This lasted three days. Although deficient in ammunition, and not more than a handful, compared to the masses that assailed them, the garrison sustained themselves nobly, and with but little loss. The gallant Major Brown was mortally wounded on the 5th, and in respect to his memory, the fort was denominated Fort Brown. BATTLE OF PALO ALTO. E AN WHILE the commander had reached Point Isabel unmolested, and after refreshing his men, and ascertaining the situation of Fort Brown, set out on the' 7th to return. His force was two thousand three hundred men, and with these he encountered, on the following day, six thousand Mexicans, drawn up in line of battle at Palo Alto. A battle commenced at four o'clock in the afternoon, and raged with such fury, that for awhile the thick prairie-grass was fired, enveloping both armies in dense volumes of smoke, and lending an air of terrible grandeur to the whole scene. The manoeuverings on both sides were masterly, but such was the slaughter of the Mexi- can cavalry by the artillery, that the movements of their whole force were effectually impeded. They made several furious charges on the American infantry, but were each time repulsed, and their whole army was finally driven from its position. The approach of night terminated this first battle of the Mexi- can war. The Ameri- can loss in this battle was nine killed, forty- four wounded, and two missing. Major Ring- gold, of the artillery, was among the former. The enemy lost, alto- gether, about five hun- dred. General Taylor encamped on the field, and the enemy moved Death of Major Ringgold. towards the Kio Grande. BATTLE OF RESACA DE LA PALMA. N the afternoon of the 9th of May, 1846, a second battle took place, at a deep gorge, called the Resaca de la Raima. This was an admirable defensive station for an army, as it commanded the road on each side, and was overgrown with almost impenetrable thickets. Here the Mexicans were securely posted, having their infantry and Avalry sheltered by the chaparral, and their cannon so placed, as to rake the gorge through its whole extent. The action commenced with the aSkanee of the Americans, extended to the light artillery ; and, finally, the main body was ordered up, 10 LIFE OF GENERAL TAYLOR. Battle of Resaca de la Palma. when a most furious general battle ensued. After a gallant struggle, the Mexican infantry were routed, but the position of their artillery enabled them to retrieve the disaster, and baffle all efforts to force their position. Perceiving that no effectual advantage could be gained until these batteries were silenced, the commander ordered Captain May to charge them with his squadron of dragoons. This was gallantly executed, the enemy driven from their guns, and General La Vega made prisoner. A short but vigorous strusr- gle then commenced with the infantry, but the spirit of the Mexi- cans sunk with the loss of their guns, and at length they broke in con- fusion, and fled towards the Rio Grande. The Americans pursued them to the river ; numbers were killed in the flight, and num- bers more in attempting to cross. The rout was total, and all night Mataraoras rang with the sounds of defeat, terror, and anguish. The force of the Americans at Resaca de la Palma was about seventeen hundred men ; their total loss one hundred and twelve, of whom thirty-nine were killed. The enemy numbered six thousand, and probably lost one thousand, inclusive of prisoners. The news of these two victories caused a sensation throughout the country pro- portionate to their magnitude and importance. Taylor was raised to the rank of brevet major-general, and received the thanks of Congress for himself and his army. The splendour of his success in these battles attracted attention to General Tay- lor. Who is he ? What is known of him ? Such inquiries were every where made, and his acquaintance began to report anecdotes and traits of his character. T is on the authority of Colonel Haskell, of Tennessee, that the following is given: — " On one occasion, General Taylor was descending the Rio Grande on a small steam- boat, with a large number of discharged sick soldiers on board. The boat being very crowded, these poor fellows had been very uncomfortably stowed away on the deck, as the lowest part of the western steamboat is te rmed. As soon as General Taylor ascer- tained their condition, he ordered the officers, «fec, out of the cabin, and had the sick men all transferred to their places. He himself took a blanket and gave up his berth. The night passed, and in the morning there was a good deal of inquiry for General Taylor; but nobody could tell where he was. At length, one of the servants in the' boat mentioned that a man was lying, wrapped up in a blanket, on the fore- cattle. The officers repaired thither, and found the old man truly there, and still locked in his honest sleep, with his blanket wetted and soiled by the slop- water which the servant, supposing him to be some- common soldier, had carelessly- swept against him. Was not this a study for the admirers of benevolence and self- denial ? The conquering general of the American army sleeping in his blanket, in the open air, on the forecastle of a steamboat, whilst his berth was occupied by a LIFE OF GENERAL TAYLOR. 11 poor soldier, without rank, but receiving his generous consideration because disabled by disease, contracted in the service of his country." General Taylor's fame extended to Europe. A traveller in England savs : " The greatest compliment yet paid to Taylor I heard of in London. The com- pliment is this. When the steamer of May 16th brought to England the news of Taylor's difficult position, the Duke of Wellington met Mr.' . and tiie subject was introduced. ' Why,' said the duke, 'does he not do this and that V (mentioning the steps he thought Taylor ought to take.) When the steam .r of June 1st brought the news of his victories, Mr. met the duke again. ' Your grace,' said h. . 'must have been advising General Taylor, for you see he has done exactly what you said he ought to do.' ' So he has,'' said the duke, as much gratified as if. he had won the victories himself. As I got this from General , to whom Mr. related it, it is undoubtedly authentic ; exact in substance, and, I think, also verbatim." GENERAL TAYLOR S REPUBLICAN HABITS. HE committee from New Orleans, which presented General Taylor a sword on be- half of their fellow-citizens, gave the fol- lowing account of the interview: "We presented ourselves at the opening of one of the tents, before which was standing a dragoon's horse, much used by hard ser- vice. Upon a camp-stool at our left sat General , in busy conversation with a hearty-looking old gentle- man, sitting on a box cushioned with an Arkansas blanket, dressed in Attakapas pantaloons and a linen roundabout, and remarkable for a bright flashing eye, a high forehead, a farmer look, and 'rough and ready' appearance. It is hardly necessary for us to say that this personage was General Taylor, the commanding hero of two of the most remarkable battles on record, and the man who, by his firmness and decision of character, has shed lustre upon the American arms. "There was no pomp about his tent; a couple of rough blue chests served for his table, upon which was strewn, in masterly confusion, a variety of official docu- ments : a quiet-Jboking, citizen-dressed personage made his appearance upon hear- ing the significant call of 'Ben,' bearing, on a tin salver, a couple of black bottles and shining tumblers, arranged around an earthen pitcher of Rio Grande water. These refreshments were deposited upon a stool, and we 'helped ourselves,' by imitation. We bore to the general a complimentary gift from some of his fellow-citizens of New Orleans, which he declined receiving for the present; giving at the same time a short but ' hard sense' lecture on the impropriety of naming children and places after men before they were dead, or of his receiving a present for his services ' be- fore* the campaign, so far as he was concerned, was finished.' " With the highest possible admiration of the republican simplicity of the man- ners and character of General Taylor, we bade him good-day, with a higher apprecia- tion of our native land, for possessing such a man as a citizen, and of its institutions for moulding such a character." Among the volunteers in the Florida campaign was a "gentleman's son," — a full private, who, heartily sick of rainy weather, mud, and no shelter, first went to his captain with his complaints, but meeting with no particular sympathy, resolved to have a talk with General Taylor himself. Arrived at the commander's quarters, the general was pointed out to him, but he was rather incredulous. " That old 12 LIFE OF GENERAL TAYLOR. fellow General Taylor? Nonsense !" Satisfied, however, that such was even the case, he marched up, and rather patronizingly opened his business. " General Tavlor, I believe." "Yes, sir." 11 Well, general, I'm devilish glad to see you — am indeed." The general re- turned the civility. "General, you'll excuse me, but since I've been here I've been doing all I could f or you — have, indeed; but the facet is, the accommodations are very bad — they are," indeed ; mud, sir ! bleeged to lie down in it, actually ; and the fact is, general, I'm a gentleman's son, and not used to it !" The ireneral, no doubt strongly impressed with the fact of having a gentleman's so?i in his army, expressed his regret that such annoyance should ever exist, under any circumstances, in a civilized army. " Well — but, general, what am I to do ?" " Why, really, I don't know, unless you take my place." " Well, now, that's civil — 'tis, indeed. Of course don't mean to turn you out, but a few hours' sleep — a cot, or a bunk, or any thing, would be so refreshing ! Your place — where is it, general?" "Oli, just drop down — any where about here — any place about camp will answer." The look which the " gentleman's son" gave the general was rather peculiar. " Well, no wonder they call you ' Rough and Ready,' " said he ; and, amid the smiles of all but " Rough and Ready" himself, the "gentleman's son" returned to take his chance of the weather. Bishop's Palace, Monterey SIEGE OFJHONTEREY. On the 15th of May, the town of Barita quietly surrendered to the American arms On the 17th, General" Taylor received overtures from the Mexican generals, Arista and Ampudia, desiring an armistice, alleging as a reason, the probable speedy settle- ment of all difficulties by the two governments. This the general refused to grant, and on the next day received undisputed possession of Matamoras. Arista had LIFE OF GENERAL TAYLOR. 13 Storming of Monterey. left with his army during the night. An American system of government was im mediately established, and Colonel Twiggs appointed to enforce it. Soon after, the Texan Rangers, under the command of Captain MeCulloch, took possession of Reynosa, Camargo, and Mier, without meeting with any opposition. The next object of General Taylor was an attack upon Monterey, where the Mexicans had concentrated numbers of their best troops, together with large supplies of military stores and provisions. After receiving reinforcements, he left Matamoras on the 5th of September, and marched as far as Camargo, where he was detained some time, through the want of the necessary means of transportation. Mean- while he received an express from General Worth, stating that information had been received of the arrival of General Ampudia at Monterey, with a force of three thousand men. On the reception of this news, he selected a portion of his army, and leaving the command of the remainder with .Major-General Patterson, marched rapidly for the city. His advance was harassed by parlies of cavalry, with whom some skirmishing* took place,- but nothing of importance transpired until the 19th of September, when the army arrived before Monterey. This city is situated in a fertile and beautiful valley, bounded on the west, north, and south, hy immense mountains. It is approachable from the east by an open plain, while, on the other sides, the only thoroughfares -are formed by the gorges of the mountains. It is built id the old Spanish style, strongly fortified with redoubts and stone walls, and surrounded by deep ditches. In addition to this, every church, before the arrival of General Taylor, had been converted into a fortress ; every street was barricaded, and every house-top presented a parapet bristling with mus- ketry. All the streets leading to the east of the city were raked by heavy cross- fires; and the side and rear approaches were commanded by the Bishop's J and two redoubts, all strongly situated on steep heights, and flanked by a river. This city, thus fortified, well-garrisoned, well-victualled, filled with heavy cannon, and an immense supply of warlike munitions, General Taylor proposed to attack with less than seven thousand men, mostly raw volunteers ! The American army encamped at the Walnut Springs, three miles from Monterey, and on the same evening a reconnoissance of the ground was made by Major Mans- field and Captain Williams. The next morning General Wortli was detached to storm the Bishop's Palace. On the 21st, the main army was led to the attack, and after a desperate struggle, captured the advanced redoubt, turned its guns, and drove the Mexicans towards the centre of the town. Generals Quitman and Butler, though • 14 LIFE OF GENERAL TAYLOR. exposed to a galling fire, penetrated into the city, and captured some prisoners ; but the latter officer being wounded, and his regiment greatly thinned, it became necessary to withdraw the troops. About the same time, three parties of cavalry were routed, outside the city, by the batteries of Bragg and Ridgely. This closed the first day's attack. During the night, the Americans strengthened the captured works, and made every preparation for' a more vigorous demonstration on the morrow. In this first day's action, the total loss of the Americans was three hundred and ninety-four; on one occasion, one-third of a company was struck down by a single discharge from the Mexican batteries. The 22d passed without any active operations in the lower part of the city. The citadel, and other works, continued to fire at parties exposed to their range; but the enemy evacuated nearly all their defences, in the lower part, before morning. Early on the 23d, a portion of General Quitman's brigade entered the town, and forced their, way towards the main plaza. Captain Bragg was ordered to support them, and after firing for some time at the cathedral, a portion of it was thrown down. The troops advanced from house to house, and from square to square, until they reached a street but one square in rear of the principal plaza, in and near which the enemy's force was" mainly concentrated. Meanwhile Captain Ridgely had served a piece of the captured battery against the city, until the advance of the Americans rendered it imprudent to fire in the direction of the cathedral. At the same time, General Worth, after capturing the Palace, had pressed into the town, and was now actively engaged in an opposite quarter. On the 24th, the Mexicans opened negotiations for a sunender, and hostilities were suspended. After considerable delay in the adjustment of terms, the city and public stores surrendered to General Taylor, and the Mexicans retired into the inte- rior on parole. An armistice of eight weeks was agreed on, during which neither army was Jo pass a certain line, unless the Mexican government or that of the United States should decide otherwise. Monterey was now chosen for the head-quarters of the army, while Worth was sent to Saltillo, and Wool to the town of Parras. These places were occupied with- out opposition. General Butler took command of the reserve in place of General Patterson. Instead of filling up our space with the minor military incidents of the'period of repose which now ensued, we will insert some characteristic anecdotes of General Taylor. GENERAL TAYLOR AND HIS STATE CARRIAGE. HE extreme simplicity of General Taylor's habits has become proverbial ; but, like all human beings, if the old general was not proud of his dress, or of the pride and pomp of "glo- rious war," he had his weakness, and it dis- played itself in his stale carriage. This magni- ficent vehicle was one of the last purchases the old soldier made before he started for the wars. It was not one of those high-backed, four-hor*3, soft-cushioned, coat-of-arms-panelled affairs, such as Martin Van Buren imported from England to ride in when he was president, ^»*«'M«'-*m^ but it was, in vulgar parlance, the ugliest and most inconvenient ever sent out from that sand-soil state. We have no doubt that this same wagon was kept on hand in some little country town until it was discovered thai no one would buy it, and it was sent out to New Orleans to sell. Now, Old Zack looked at it, and it struck his fancy as one of the most luxurious, strong-axletreed, hard-seated, low-backed, first-rate carriages ever made ; sohe bought it, shipped it, and in due time, landed it at Corpus Ciuisti. It was evidently General Taylor's pet; he kept it standing right beside LIFE OF GENERAL TAYLOR. 15 General Taylor and the Teamster. < Ringgold's and Duncan's batteries, as if he would have those sons of thunder blaz^ away at any body that did not say it was the greatest carriage that ever was made. The old general was never seen in it. By many it was supposed that the top was so low that, such a thing was impossible. When he started to Matamoras from Corpus Christi, it was made the carrier of the old general's blue chest, and the cele- brated overcoat that got wounded at Buena Vista. After the battles of the 8th and 9th, a change for two hours and fifty-seven minutes came over his feelings — he had read, no doubt, of " General Scott's splendid military carriage" — and Old Zack came to the conclusion that he must put on a little grandeur, so he got into his military carriage and started from Point Isabel to Matamoras, to complete his victories by driving Arista from that town. No record was made when he resumed his old gray, but long before half the distance was completed, a sick soldier was in the old general's place, and he was himself again on horseback. Nothing of an excitino- nature occurred to the old " Jarsey carryall" for a long time.. It was duly dragged about, and stationed where its owner could see it taken care of and honoured. It went up to Monterey, and fiually down to Victoria. When the general was ordered back from his march to Vera Cruz, the old wagon top seemed exceedingly surly, and its wheels screeched awfully. On this trip it met with a sad disaster. A drunken teamster ran his baggage wagon into it, tore the hind wheels oft*, and otherwise laid it in ruins. Now, the old general had phi- losophy enough to pocket, without repining, the orders that were so humiliating to his pride, but he had not philosophy enough to pocket the destruction of his state carriage, so he rode up to the unfortunate teamster, and catching him by both ears, he shook the fellow's head violently, exclaiming, " what did you do that for ? I brought the wagon all the way from Corpus Christi." -The excitement passed away, the old gentleman cast a lingering glance at the ruins of his pet, and left it to decay beside the road. — New Orleans National. GENERAL TAYLOR AND THE DESERTER. It is said, that the night before the battle of Monterey, a number of the regulars as well as volunteers, were trying to make themselves scarce! When Old Zack heard of this feeling amongst the men, he ordered an old man, not scared at trifles, 16 LIFE OF GENERAL TAYLOR. General Taylor and the Deserter. but who had been found crawling off- under very suspicious circumtsances, to be brought before him. "Why, Borden," said Old Zack, "I'm told you were trying to desert your colours — you certainly are not a man of tha*t stripe." " Well, gineral," said the downcast soldier, "to tell you the God's truth, I was, and am sort of skeer'd a little, for they say old Santy's got 'bout fifty thousand the best troops in Mexico, has picked his ground, and will give the boys here the hardest fight any of us ever did see ! So I thought there'd be a mighty small chance for our crowd to-morrow, and the best chance for a while would be to ." " Well, you go back to your mess, things do look a little desperate to-night, but do your duty to-morrow, and if we lose the fight, come and find me, and I'll desert with you .'" GENERAL TAYLOR S CLEMENCY. ^ HE following anecdote of General Tay- lor, while at Monterey, is related by Lieutenant Reid : " Passing the head-quarters of Gene- ral Taylor, our attention was attracted to a line of some fifteen or twenty de- linquents, regulars and volunteers, who were brought up before the general for reprimand. We were surprised to see with what patience the general listened to each man's excuse or com- plaint. On the extreme left of the line stood a volunteer, over six feet in height, and stout in pro- portion, who, on being asked what he had to say, replied : " • Why, we haven't had any bread for two days, and mighty little to eat, any how ; and you see, general, a man can't fight well without he gets somethin' to eat.' " ' Very well,' said the general, turning to the officer, ' see that every man has as much as he can eat, and I'll see that they have plenty of fighting.' " The squad was dismissed well pleased — one fellow observing that « the general LIFE OF GENERAL TAYLOR. 17 General Taylor and the Volunteer. was on their side, any how,' and, as soon as they were at a respectful distance, they seconded the motion of one of the party to give ' Old Zaclc' a cheer, which was forthwith put into execution." m GENERAL TAYLOR S TREATMENT OF AMPUDIA. General Taylor's abrupt close, of the conference with Ampudia, when treating for the surrender of Monterev, is as full of meaning as any thing in Wellington's 3 18 LIFE OF GENERAL TAYLOR. despatches — " Sir, I hold you, and your town, and your army, in the hollow of my hand, and you know it. The conference is closed — in thirty minutes you shall hear from my batteries." Of course General Taylor would not have said this to a gallant and respected enemy. He would have spoken in a very different vein to a brave and gallant gene- ral, who had maintained his position as long as it could be maintained, and now, having satisfied the demands of honour and duty to their full extent, was ready, with the frankness of a soldier and a gentleman, to accept the necessity of his position. But to Ampudia, neither brave nor gallant, and whiffling over a capitulation which he knew to be inevitable, the response was as fitting as it was well-timed and effective. «• CATTLE OF BUEXA VISTA. REVIOUS to the capture of Monterey, a revolution in Mexico had* deposed Paredes, and placed Santa Anna at the head of affairs. That officer immediately took the field, and exerted his utmost influence in raising an army sufficiently large to resist the invasion of his country. Manifestos were issued to the various States composing the republic, calling on them to fur- nish troops and money necessary to carry on both offensive and defensive warfare. By this means he . raised 20,000 men, in a very short period, and marched -^ for San Luis Potosi. This place he fortified in the strongest manner, and prepared for a vigorous cam- paign. The American government having refused to sanction the armistice concluded at Monterey, Santa Anna was notified of that fact by General Taylor, and hostilities immediately recommenced. In December the American general marched for Vic- toria, but on his way received notice from General Worth, that Santa Anna designed to take advantage of the division of the American forces, and by a rapid movement to strike a heavy blow at Saltillo, and if successful, to follow up his victory upon General Wool, at Parras. On hearing this he returned to Monterey, in order to be in a position to reinforce Saltillo if necessary, but subsequently resumed his former march on ascertaining that the above report was unfounded. While things were in this situation, General Taylor received notice from Major- General Scott, the commander-in-chief of the American army, that an attack upon Vera Cruz was about to be made ; and, also, a demand of the greater part of the troops with whom the former general had so long been associated. These soldiers parted with him as with a father ;tmd his address to them on that occasion, shows how deeply his heart was touched. According to orders, General Taylor fell back upon Monterey, where he remained until the arrival of reinforcements, in February, at which occasion we find him once more marching towards the interior. On the 20th, his army of 5,000 men encamped at Agua Nueva, eighteen miles south of Sal- tillo ; but receiving intelligence that Santa Anna was rapidly approaching, he broke up his camp, and fell back to the strong pass of Angostura, near Buena Vista. On the morning of the 22d of February, the enemy were descried marching towards this position, over the neighbouring hills. As they approached, the engi- neers and officers spread themselves over the field, to arrange their cannon and cavalry : but so rugged and broken was the ground, that they were prevented from opening*upon General Taylor's army until late in the day. Meanwhile a summons to surrender was sent to the American commander, which he thought proper to decline. In the afternoon, an attack commenced on the American left, which was briskly sustained until evening, and resulted in the. loss of eight or ten of our troops. At daybreak of the following morning, the battle began in earnest. The Mexicans LIFE OF GENERAL TAYLOR. 19 >xgBSSs Battle of Bcena Vista. numbered full 21,000, covering the country far as eye could reach, with dark col umna of infantry, and masses of mounted lancers. Between the infantry and cavalry was their cannon, numbering thirty-two fine pieces, and protected by a large cavalry force. In the early part of the action, General Taylor advanced his artillery, pro- tected by a volunteer force, aVainst their infantry, while General Wool led the main body, composed chiefly of new soldiers. Both armies were soon engaged in close and'desperate conflict ; but the broken nature of the ground prevented the action from becoming altogether general. Both armies fought with a determination to conquer, and several times during, the day, each felt sure of victory. The manceuvering was brilliant, and the furious charges of the enemy, and the stubborn resistance of our infantry, hung the result in suspense until the very last moment. A tremendous charge of cavalry was then repulsed by the battery of Captain Bragg, and the battle ceased for the night. In the morning, when the Americans were expecting a re- newal of the fight, it was ascertained that Santa Anna and his army wye in full retreat. In fact, the army was utterly disorganized and dispersed. In the battle of Angostura the Americans lost 267 killed, 456 wounded, and 23 missing. The slaughter among the officers was dreadful, and shows how gallantly they maintained their stations at the head of their troops. According to the official report of General Taylor, sixty-eight were killed and wounded, comprising one brigadier-general, five colonels, one major, eighteen captains, and forty-three lieu- tenants. Among the killed were the lamented Hardin and Yell, formerly U. S senators, and Henrv Clay, son of the distinguished statesman. Santa Anna lost in killed and wounded 1,500, and from 2000 to 3000 by desertion. During the night of the 23d, the Mexican general abandoned the field of battle, and fell back to Agua Nueva. The fatigue of the Americans, and their great dis- parity in numbers, made it inadvisable to pursue, but a corps was sent after him to harass the rear, and cutoff supplies. An exchange of prisoners took pfacc soon after, and the wounded of both sides were taken care of by the Americans. This is the last great battle in which General Taylor has been engaged. Soon after the 23d, the splendid army of Santa Anna was disbanded, through want of pro- visions, and their leader retired to Mexico, in order to suppress scditionary move- ments, and provide means to retrieve the late disaster. Early in March, about 250 Americans, under Major Giddings, encountered 1,500 Mexicans, commanded by General Urrea, and, after a slight skirmish, defeated them. Receiving news of this 20 LIFE OF GENERAL TAYLOR. affair, General laylor broke up his camp near Agua Nueva, and moved in pursuit of LI n-ea, but by rapid marches, the latter managed to get among the mountains, and elude his adversary. Taylor then fell back to the Walnut Springs GENERAL TAYLOR AT BUENA VISTA. N the first day of the battle of Buena |]r| Vista, a Mexican officer approached the American lines % and requested to be shown /£/ to General Taylor. The brave old man was sitting quietly on his old white charger, with his leg over the pommel of the saddle, watching the movements of the enemy, when the Mexican officer was presented. In a very courteous and graceful manner, the officer stated that' he had been sent by his excellency, General Santa Anna, to his excellency, General Taylor, to inquire in the most respectful manner, " what he (General Taylor) was waiting for." From the silence of General Taylor's batteries, and the quiet manner in which he received Santa Anna's terrific cannonading, the Mexican supposed he was asking a very searching question, to which, however, old Rough and Ready gave the very pertinent reply, that " he was only waiting for General Santa Anna to surrender." The Mexican returned hastily to his lines. The message proved to be a ruse to ascertain what General Taylor's position was, for after the return of the Mexican officer to his own ranks, the whole Mexican bat- tery seemed to open upon the Old Hero, and the balls Hew over and about him like hail. Utterly indifferent to the perils of his situation, there sat the chief, on his conspicuous white horse, peering through his spy-glass, at the long lines of Mexican troops that could be seen at a great distance on the march. The persuasion of his aids could not induce him to abandon his favourable point for observation, nor to give up his white horse. To the suggestion of his staff, that old Whitey was rather too conspicuous a charger for the commander, he replied, that " the old fellow had LIFE OF GENERAL TAYLOR. 21 missed the fun at Monterey, on account of a sore foot, and he was determined he should have his share this time." GENERAL TAYLOR S COURAGE AND DETERMINATION. Y way of illustrating an important characteristic of Gen- eral Taylor, to wit, determination, I will briefly relate a scene that occurred on the battle-ground of Buena Vista, during the action of the 23d. At a time when the for- tunes of the day seemed extremely problematical — when many of our side even despaired of success — the General took his position on a commanding height, overlooking the two armies. This was about three or perhaps four o'clock in the afternoon. The enemy, who had succeeded in gaining an advantageous position, made a fierce charge upon our column, and fought with a desperation that seemed for a time to insure success to their arms. The struggle lasted for some time. All the while," General Taylor was a silent spectator, his countenance exhibit- ing the most anxious solicitude, alternating between hope and despondency. His staff, perceiving his perilous situation, (for he was exposed to the fire of the enemy,) approached him and implored him to retire. He heeded them not. His thoughts were intent upon victory or defeat. He knew not at this moment what the result would be. He felt that that engagement was to decide his fate. He had given all his orders and selected his position. If the day went against him he was irretrieva- bly lost; if for him, he could rejoice in common with his countrymen, at the trium- phant success of our arms. • " Such seemed to be his thoughts — his determination. And when he saw the enemy give way and retreat in the utmost confusion, he gave free vent to his pent- up feelings. His right leg was quickly disengaged from the pommel of the saddle, where it had remained during the whole of the fierce encounter — his arms, which were calmly folded over his breast, relaxed their hold — his feet fairly danced in the stirrups, and his whole body was in motion. It was a moment of the most exciting and intense interest. His face was suffused with tears. The day was won — the victory complete — his little army saved from the disgrace of a defeat, and he could not refrain from weeping for joy at what had seemed to so many, but a moment before, as an impossible result. Long may the noble and kind-hearted Old Hero live to enjoy the honours of his numerous and brilliant victories, and many other honours that a grateful country will ere long bestow upon him." — Lieutenant Convin. GENERAL TAYLOR AND MAJOR BLISS SUPPORTING CAPTAIN BRAGG. But the best thing he is said to have said was also at Buena Vista. It was irbt only quaint but grand ; there was a sort of heroic largeness about it, in. conception and expression, than which we know of nothing that more fills the mind's eye. It was wheu the last, desperate, almost overwhelming ofcarge was made upon Captain Bragg's battery. The captain saw the mighty cohort coming with an anxious gaze, for there was no infantry at hand to sustain him. Placing his pieces in position, he hurried to the general, who was not far off, to represent that his little band would be ridden over, and to beg for a reinforcement. " I have no reinforcement to give you," answered the general, " but Major Bliss and I will supptfrt you." "Major Bliss and I" accordingly put spurs to their horses, and took post beside the cannon. We all know what the result was. 22 LIFE OF GENERAL TAYLOR. I "GIVE them more grape." AFTER every man belonging to O'Brien's battery was either killed or disabled, Captain Bragg antici- pated that bis own guns might, from the same causes, fall into the hands of the enemy, and he prepared to take another position. At this critical juncture, when a single false move might have proved fatal to the whole- army,' Major Mansfield, of the engineer department, spurred to General Taylor, and informed him of the contemplated change of position. "Go back instantly," replied General Taylor, "and tell him not to move an inch, but give them grape and canister." General Taylor embracing General Wool. GENERAL TAYLOR AND GENERAL WOOL. m ENERAL WOOL had charge of the de- tails of the battle of Buena Vista, being the second in command on that memorable occasion. He had been intrusted with a part of the army, called the Central Divi- sion, which he led by a most fatiguing route, and joined General Taylor 3fter the / storming of Monterey. His services in the battle of i i Buena Vista have been given ; fie led the main army in tL,v«4 person, and no man was more instrumental in gaining the victory of that action.. Connected with the battle, a pleasing anecdote is related of the two generals. After' ~*m&)A '*" x — "^ the lasf charge of the Mexicans, Wool enthusiastically embraced the old general, and in the proud overflowings of triumph, congratulated LIFE OF GENERAL TAYLOR. 23 him upon the victory. " Ah, general" replied Rough and Ready, " Ws imjwssible to whip us when we all pull together.'''' GENERAL TAYLORS HUMANITY TO A CONQUERED ENEMY. To show that courage and humanity are kindred virtues, the Albany Evening Journal, on the authority of a venerable chaplain who was attached to the army in Mexico, states that after the battle of Buena Vista, General Taylor made his dispo- sitions for the renewal of the conflict on the following morning. But at the dawn of the next day Santa Anna was in full retreat. The American cavalry were de- spatched in pursuit. Soon messengers returned, informing the general that the Mexicans, broken and scattered, were in rapid flight, but that the roads and the way-sides were strewn with exhausted, famished, and wounded soldiers, all of whom, in the precipitation of Santa Anna's flight, were left to die, without either food, water, or medical attendants. Upon receiving this information, General Tay- lor immediately ordered twenty wagons to be furnished with all that was required for the relief of those whom the Mexican general had left to suffer and die. These wagons were promptly despatched, accompanied by surgeons, who were directed to find and administer to all the sufferers. And to the quartermaster who executed this order, General Taylor said, " Keep an exact account of every article sent, so that if any doubt should arise of the propriety of thus relieving the enemy's wounded, I can pay for them myself." GENERAL TAYLOR S RETURN TO THE UNITED STATES. FTER the battle of Buena Vista, General Taylor remained in comparative inactivity in the neighbourhood of Monterey, unable, from his small number of troops, to strike any decisive blow. His pursuit of Urrea took place soon after the battle of Buena Vista. But the wily guerrilla escaped by his speed and superior knowledge of the passes. It must have been a severe trial to General Taylor to remain inactive, while General Scott was conducting his glorious campaign in southern Mexico. But he was too noble to complain, and it was not until late in the autumn of 1847, that, tired of inaction, he at last solicited and obtained leave of absence, and returned to his residence at Baton Rouge to attend to his private affairs. On his way home he had to pass through New Orleans, where one of the proudest triumphs that ever welcomed a conquering hero was accorded to him. Since his return to Baton Rouge he has lived in the strictest retirement, declining all invitations to public dinners and other manifestations of the popular feeling in his favour. His modesty shrinks from these demonstrations, and his duty as a soldier, he observes, requires him to be at his own residence, ready to obey the first call to duty. General Taylor's nomination as the candidate of the Whig party for the office of president, as well as that of various other parties and communities, has been received by the great mass of the people with enthusiasm. His character has taken firm hold of the hearts of the people. His unwillingness to give pledges to support par- ticular measures, or local interests, is a trait which the people approve. They are willing to trust to the man, assured by his past actions that his every public act will be dictated by patriotism and a regard to the interests of the whole Union. 24 LIFE OF GENERAL TAYLOR. A DEMOCRAT S OPINION OF GENERAL TAYLOR. OLONEL JEFFERSON DAVIS, who, from the connection existing, is not very likely to be influenced by other than true and proper motives, is represented by the New Orleans papers as having used the following language concerning Gene- ral Taylor: — "After complimenting his fellovv-com- panions from other states, he for a moment dwelt upon the virtues of the old hero who had led them all to victory, and to whom they looked up as chil- dren to a parent. Colonel Davis said that General Taylor had shown himself the distinguished soldier of the age, yet he was equally remarkable for his kind- ness of heart and simplicity of habits, his strong judg- ment, and excellent sense. He alluded to the fact that General Taylor had shared the humblest soldier's fortune in the campaign ; that he had in every thing identified him- self with his troops. He alluded to that hour of the battle of Buena Vista when the day seemed, if not lost, to be going against our arms, when General Taylor, amidst the thickest of the iron hail, rode upon the plateau, and calmly surveyed the scene. Vast as were the consequences of that hour, he appeared to fear no danger, expect no harm. From that moment, said Colonel Davis, the volunteers felt assured of vic- tory. The presence of that old man inspired a courage that could not be overcome ; and not a soldier present, said he, (pointing to the regiment before him,) but felt then willing to die rather than yield an inch. It was not, continued Colonel Davis, alone LIFE OF GENERAL TAYLOR. 25 on the battle-field that we learned to love General Taylor. The excitement of the carnage over, the same soul that could remain unmoved when his friends were fall- ing like leaves around him, who could look unblanehed upon the front of the thun- dering artillery, became the poor soldier's most sympathizing friend ; and the eye, so stern in battle, was as mild as the tender-hearted matron's." •general" Taylor's indifference to office. HEN the army was at Matamoras, a Mr. Reader, (I think,) from Baltimore, came there to distribute medals to the non- commissioned officers and soldiers who had distinguished themselves at Palo Alto, &c. It is reported, that, while there, Mr. R. informed " Old Zack" that he had been nominated by some persons in New York for the presi- dency. The old general's reply was characteristic. '• Mr. Reader, I don't want it — I have no other or higher ambi- tion than to remain at the head of my noble little army. I have always considered myself an honest man — my neighbours so consider me — but were I to accept a nomination, there are persons who would call me every thing that is bad, and others who would say of me, as they said of General Harrison, that I never was within two miles of a field of battle. No ! no ! — I don't want it! I don't want it !" General Taylor and the Mississippi Men. general Taylor's affection for his soldiers. Tins fine trait in the character of the general was evinced on his taking leave of some of his veteran troops. It is stated that the parting scene between the Mississippi regiment and General Taylor was affecting in the extreme. As the men marched by him to return to their homes, overpowered with a recollection of the high deeds which had endeared them to him, and with their demonstra- tions of respect and affection, he attempted in vain to address them. With tears 26 LIFE OF GENERAL TAYLOR. General Taylor and Staff starting for Saltillo. streaming down his furrowed cheeks, all he could say was, " Go on, boys — oo on — I can't speak." The same trait is displayed in the - following anecdote. The New Orleans Na- tional says, that a little while before the battle of Buena Vista, a party of twenty athletic young men, direct from Saltillo, met General Taylor near his camp at Walnut Grove. " Where are you fforn ?" inquired the " good old man," of the foremost of the youngsters. "Just from Saltillo, general," was the reply, in a voice such as a favourite son assumes when speaking to a beloved parent. " Well, well," said the general, looking at the party with solicitude, " you had better be careful, boys, and not trust yourselves out on the road in such small force, you will get cut off some time ; very imprudent to do so." That evening General Taylor and staff, seven persons, all told, started for Saltillo. GENERAL TAYLOR S AFFABILITY TO THE SOLDIERS. General Taylor's markee, at Victoria, was about a mile above that of General Patterson, and between the two the Tennessee cavalry was encamped. General Taylor was riding from his quarters to General Patterson's one day, and on his route passed close to a Tennessee trooper, who was rubbihg down his horse. Totally ignorant of the rank of the plainly dressed old man, and struck by the beauty of his animal, he accosted him with, " Look here, stranger, wouldn't you like to swap that ar pony ?" " No, friend," quietly responded the general ; " he is a favourite nag of mine, and I do not desire to part with him." LIFE OF GENERAL TAYLOR. 27 A comrade of the trooper's recognizing the general, said to him in an under tone, " Bill, you fool, don't you know who you're a talking to ? That's Gineral Taylor." Now Bill, regarding "Rough and Ready" as the greatest man on the lace "of the earth, was terrified that he had put his foot on it, and stammered out — " G-g-gineral, I-I-I didn't know it was you — I heg p-p-pardon, g-g-gineral." The old commander kindly offered his hand to the trooper, to relieve him from his embarrassment, inquired his name and residence, complimented the Tcnnesseeans, telling him that he had found them the bravest of the brave, and rode quietly on. General Taylor relieving the Soldier. A THRILLING INCIDENT. BU — i N the course of the Hon. R. W. Thompson .■. ,t> remarks at the Baltimore ratification meet- ing, he asked : " What had Old Zack done ?" Here a voice from the crowd replied, " I'll tell you what he has done. About two weeks ago I stopped at General Taylor's house, and he received me in the most cordial manner, gave me a comfortable meal, and a good feather bed to sleep on, and in the morning, ten dollars to pursue my journey with." Mr. T. then inquired of the person speaking, who he was ; to which he replied that he was a wounded soldier on his return from the army in Mexico. This incident created great enthusiasrq among^the crowd of listeners, and was the pre- lude to the mention of various anecdotes by Mr. T., illustrative of the goodness of heart and kind feelings of General Taylor. HON. MILLARD FILLMORE. LIFE AND PUBLIC .SERVICES MILLARD FILLMORE HE history of Millard Fillmore affords jg a useful lesson, as showing what may be Hp accomplished in the face of the greatest ob- SBjj stacles, by intellect, aided and controlled bf energy, perseverance, and strict integrity, in a public and private capacity. His father, Nathaniel Fillmore, is the son of one of like name, who served in the French war, and was a true Whig of the Revolution, proving his devotion to his country's cause by gallantly fighting as lieu- tenant under General Stark, in the battle of Bennington. He was born at Bennington, Vermont, in 1771, and early in life removed to what is now called Summer Hill, Cayuga county, NeV York, where Millard was born, January 7, 1800. He was a farmer, and soon after lost all his property by a bad title to one of the military lots he had purchased. About the year 1802, he removed to the town of Sempronius, now Niles, and lived there till 1819, when he removed to Erie county, where he still lives, cultivating a small farm with his own hands. He was a strong and uniform supporter of Jefferson, Madison, and Tompkins, and is now a true Whig. The narrow means of his father deprived Millard of any advantages of education beyond what was afforded by the imperfect and ill-taught schools of the county. Books were scarce and dear, and at the age of fifteen, when more favoured youths are far advanced in their classical studies, or enjoying in colleges the benefit of well- furnished libraries, young Fillmore had read but little except his common school- books and the Bible. At that period he was sent into the then wilds of Livingston county, to learn the clothier trade. He remained there about four months, and was then placed with another person to pursue the same business and wool-carding in the town where his father lived. A small village library, which was formed there soon after, gave him the first means of acquiring general knowledge through books. He improved the opportunity thus offered; the appetite grew by what it fed upon. The thirst for knowledge soon became insatiate, and every leisure moment was 29 30 LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE. spent in reading. Four years were passed in this way, working at his trade, and storing his mind, during such hours as he could command, with the contents of books of history, biography, and travels. At the age of nineteen he fortunately made an acquaintance with the late Walter "Wood, Esq., whom many will remem- ber as one of the most estimable citizens of that county. Judge Wood was a man of wealth and great business capacity ; he had an excellent law library, but did little professional business. He soon saw that under the rude exterior of the clothier's boy, were powers that only required proper developement to raise the possessor to high distinction and usefulness, and advised him to quit his trade and study law. In reply to the objection of a lack of education, means and friends to aid him in a course of professional study, Judge Wood kindly offered to give him a place in his office, to advance money to defray his expenses, and wait until success in business should furnish the means of repayment. The offer was accepted. The apprentice boy bought his time; entered the office of Judge Wood, and for more than two years applied himself closely to business and to study. He read law and general litera- ture, and' studied and practised surveying. REARING he should incur too large a debt to his benefactor, he taught school for three months in the year, and acquired the means of pariiaHy supporting himself. In the fall of 1821, he removed to the county of Erie, and the next spring entered a law office in Buffalo. There he sustained himself by teaching school, and continued his legal studies until the spring of 1823, when he was admitted to the Common Pleas, and commenced practice in the village of Aurora, where he remained until 1831, when he again removed to Buffalo, and has continued to reside there ever since. His first entrance into public life was in January, 1829, when he took his seat as a member from Erie county, to which office he was re-elected the two following years. His talents, integrity, and assiduous devotion to public business, soon won for him the confidence of the House in an unexampled degree. It was a common remark among the members, " If Fillmore says it is right, we will vote for it." The most important measure of a general nature that came up during his service in the State Legislature, was the bill to abolish imprisonment for debt. In behalf of that great and philanthropic measure, Mr. Fillmore took an active part, urging with unanswerable arguments its justice and expediency, and, as a member of the committee on the subject, aiding to perfect its details. That portion of the bill relat- ing to Justices' Courts was drafted by him, the remainder being the work of the Hon. John C. Spencer. The bill met with a fierce, unrelenting opposition at every step of its progress, and to Millard Fillmore, as much as to any other man, are we indebted for expunging from the statute book that relic of a cruel and.barbarous age — imprisonment for debt. He was elected to Congress in the year 1832. The session of 1S33-4 will long be remembered as the one in which that system of politics, known under the com- prehensive name of Jacksonism, was fully developed. He took his seat in the stormy session of 1833-4, immediately succeeding the removal of the deposits. In those days, the business of the House and debates were led by old and experienced members 1 — new ones, unless they enjoyed a wide-spread and almost national repu- tation, rarely taking an active and conspicuous part. Little chance, therefore, was afforded him as a member of the opposition, young and unassuming, of displaying those qualities that so eminently fit him for legislative usefulness. But the school was one admirably qualified more fully to develope and cultivate those powers which, under more favourable circumstances, have enabled him to render such varied and important services to his country. As he has ever done in all the sta- tions he has filled, he discharged his duty with scrupulous fidelity, never omitting, on all proper occasions, any effort to advance the interest of his constituents and the country, and winning the respect and confidence of all. At the close of his term of service, he resumed the practice of his profession, which he pursued with distinguished reputation and success, until, yielding to the LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE. 31 public voice, he consented to become a candidate, and was re-elected to Congress in the fall of 1836. The remarks above made in relation to his service in the Twenty-third Congress, will measurably applv to his second term. Jacksonism and the Pet Bank system had, in the march of the " progressive Democracy," given place to Van Burenisuf'and the Sub-Treasury. It was but another step towards the practical repudiation of old republican principles, and an advance to the Loco : focoism of the present day. In this Congress, .Mr. Fillmore took a more active part than he had during his first term, and on the assembling of the next Congress, to which he was re-elected by a largely increased majority, he was assigned a pro- minent place on what, next to that of Ways and Means, was justly anticipated would become the most important committee of the House — that on elections. It was in this Congress that the famous contested New Jersey case came up. It would swell this brief biographical sketch to too great a length to enter "upon the details of that case, and it is the less necessary to do so, inasmuch as the circumstances of ♦ the gross outrages then perpetrated by a party calling itself republican, and claiming to respect state rights, must yet dwell in the recollection of every reader. more took in that case, his patient | investigation of all its complicated, EJ minute details, the clear, convincing manner in which he set forth the facts, the lofty and indignant elo- quence with which he denounced the meditated wrong, all stronglv directed public attention to him as one of the ablest men of that Congress, distin- guished, as it was, by the eminent ability and statesmanship of many of its members. Public indignation was awakened by the enormity of the outrage, and in that long catalogue of abuses and wrongs, which aroused a long-sufferincr people to action, and resulted in the signal overthrow of a corrupt and insolent dynasty, in 1840, the New Jersey case stood marked and conspicuous. On the assembling of the next Congress, to which Mr. Fillmore was re-elected by a majority larger than was ever before given in his district, he was placed at the head of the Committee of Ways and Means. The duties of that station, always arduous and responsible, were at that time peculiarly so. A new administration had come into power, and foiyid public affairs in a state of the greatest derange- ment. Accounts had been wrongly kept, peculation of every kind abounded in almost every department of the government, the revenue was inadequate to meet the ordinary expenses, the already large existing debt was rapidly swelling in magnitude, commerce and manufactures were depressed, the currency was deranged, baftks were embarrassed, and general distress pervaded the community. To bring order out of disorder, to replenish the national treasury, to provide means that would enable the government to meet the demands against it, and to pay off the debt, to revive the industry of the country, and restore its wonted prosperity; these >ks devolved upon the Committee of Ways and Means. To increase s, the minority, composed of that party that had brought the country ana ^ "to such a condition, instead of aiding to repair the evil they had done, uniforml} i >posed almost every means brought forward for relief, and too often their unavailing efforts were successfully aided by a treacherous Executive. But with an energy and devotion to the public weal, worthy of all admiration, Mr. Fillmore applied himself to the task, and, sustained by a majority whose en- lightened patriotism has rarely been equalled and never surpassed, succeeded in its accomplishment. The measures he brought forward, and sustained with matchless ability, speedily relieved the government from its embarrassnv and have fully justified the most saoguine expectations of their benign infiu unon the country at large. A new and more accurate svstem of keepin its, rendering them clear and 32 LIFE OF MILLARD MILLMORE. intelligible, was introduced. The favouritism and peculation which had so lono- disgraced the departments and plundered the treasury were checked by the requisi- tion of contracts. The credit of the government was restored, ample means were provided for the exigencies of the public service, and the payment of the national debt incurred by the former administration. Commerce and manufactures revived, and prosperity and hope once more smiled upon the land. The country has too recently emerged from the disasters of Mr. Van Buren's administration — it yej too keenly feels the suffering it then endured, and too justly appreciates the beneficent and wonderful change that has been wrought, to render more than illusion to these matters necessary. The labour of devising, explaining, and defending measures productive of such happy results- was thrown chiefly on Mr. Fillmore. He was nobly sustained by his patriotic fellow Whigs; but on him, nevertheless, the main responsibility rested. Fillmore writing his Report on the Tariff of 1842. After his long and. severe labours in the committee room — labours sufficiently arduous to break down any but one of an iron constitution, — sustained by a spirit that nothing could conquer, he was required to givfe his unremitting attention to the House, to make any explanation that might be asked, and be ready with a complete and triumphant refutation of every cavil or objection that the ingenious sophistry of a factious minority could devise. All this, too, was required to be done with promptness, clearness, dignity, and temper. For the proper performance of these varied duties, few men are more happily qualified than Mr. Fillmore. At that fortunate age, when the physical and intellectual powers are displayed in the highest perfection, and the hasty impulses of youth, without any loss of its vigour, are brought under control of large experience in public affairs, with a mind capable of descending to minute details, as well as conceiving a grand system of national policy, calm and deliberate in judgment, self-possessed and fluent in debate, of dignified presence, never unmindful of the courtesies becoming social and public int and of political integrity unimpeachable, he was admirably fitted r . th leader of the 27th Congress. In 1844 he was selected as the Whig c -hdate fijt .- 1 ork, but in consequence of the Barnburners and' ••■ -aeir support upon the late Silas Wright, he failed to be ek . ^wever, that he could commanithe strongest vote in New York, fch* ' .ng, again selected him as their candidate for comptroller, in 1847, and succeeded in electing him by an unprece- dented majority. Such was the boy, and such is the man whom the Whigs present as their candi- date for Vice-President. In every station in which he has been placed, he has shown himself "honest, cap' and faithful to the Constitution." He is em- phatically one of the people. ' . all that he has and is, he is indebted, under God, to his own exertions. ■■*£* c < c c c C C CX c . c: c c <: c c <: c < C c c . <• c< C C CCC - c < , c <■- c c C C < * W crc ccc <• •• «r c ■" c c C < c d c; < < c < < C : I i c - x ~ ■ ' ^-- ■ -:<■'&■ II C c ' < CT <•< < C7 t< ( « « *- . < ^d_ ' < « c • < c < c