E 422 .T28 Copy 1 3^ > J^5>1< Z> ''^l'^' .>■> ''Sp^"^:^^ >^ ^ ^ ^- ^ )- ^ 3> ^ ^LIBRARY OF CONGRESS.?' f UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. { >--> >> > >- ^v^ 3> 51^ > >>■^ ', ■> > 3>> ■5; %>: ^<'^' ^ vT.j"'?;; >'-; ^^' ") ■>^'' ) >? , :> :^ ~5 > - > >^- THE TAYLOR TEXT-BOOK, OR KOUGH AND READY EECKONER. BALTIMORE: ■,\)/ PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY SAMUEL SANDS, No. 2 Jarm Building, JVorth strut. 1848. H f\-^~r INDEX. T SKETCH OF THE LIFE ANO SERVICES OF GENERAL TAYLOR. 2 His early life, Page Comniissioncd in the army by Mr. Jefferson, 3 Battle at Fort Harrison, ..-.«' His services in the Black Hawk war, - " do. do. Florida war, - - - " Appointed to the command in Texas, - " Fights the battles of Palo Alto and Resacca de la Palma, - - - . - - - 4 Receives the Brevet of Major General, and the thanks of Congress, ..-.'< His attack on and capture of Monterey, - 5 Battle of Buena Vista, 6 HIS LETTERS RELATIVE TO THE PRESIDENCY. Published in the N.Orleans Bulletin, - - 8 The Signal Letter, Cincinnati, - - - " To Edward Delony, of La., - - - - " Dr. J. T. Clarke, of N. J., - - - 9 William Hall, of Md., - . . . « Gen. P. S. Smith, of Philadelphia, 9, 11 and 13 W. J. A. Birkey, of Pittsburg, - - -10 Wm. Dock, of Harrisburg, - - - " J. R. Ingersoll, of Philadelphia, - - " Dr. Bronson, of Charleston, - - - Col. Pickell, of Baltimore, - - . Wm. G. Wood, of New York, Hon. A. Stewart, of Pa., - Hon. Henry A. Muhlenberg, of Pa., The Citizens of Philadelphia, - - - do. do. Montgomery, Ala., Gov. Owsley, of Ky., - . . . Col. A. M. Mitchell, of Cincinnati, The citizens of Adams county. 111., - On the blessings of Peace, - ... To a gentleman of Iowa, .... The Richmond Republican, ... Capt. J. S. Allison, - . - Brantz Mayer, of Baltimore, Hon. Mr. Morehead, President of the Whig National Convention, .... Illrf MILITARY LETTERS. Defence of Fort Harrison, - - - 15 and 16 Battle of Okee-Cho-Bcc, .... jg Palo Alto and Rcsaca de la Palma, 20, 21, 22, 23 General Orders, congratulatory to the army, 21, 22 Battle of Monterey, 25 To Gen. Gaines on the Defence of the Capitu- lation of Montcry, . . - , , To the Sec'ry of War, relative to the Gaines letter, ....... 11 12 13 14 15 58 29 30 Col. Jefferson Davis' letter relative to the Ca- pitulation of Monterey, . . . - Gen. Henderson's do., do., ... Gen. Worth's do., do., Terms of Capitulation of Monterey, - Detailed report of the Battle of Buenna Vista, The Summons of Santa Anna, and Taylor's reply, Gen. Taylor to Gen. E. G. W. Butler, Letter in regard to the Indiana volunteers, Speech at Plaquemine, . . . - Gen. Humphrey Marshall's Sketch of Taylor's Character, --..-. Who's responsible for the movement of the troops to the Rio Grande ? - - - Opinions of European statesmen and military men of Gen. Taylor's conduct, Reminiscences of Gen. Taylor, ANECDOTES OF GENERAL TAYLOR. General Taylor's Schoolmaster, - - - Vigor, Courage and Manhood of Old Rough and Ready, .---.. Personal appearance of Gen. Taylor, Gen. Taylor headed, Gen. Taylor and the Gentleman's Son, " Let us ride a little nearer," ... Gen. Jackson's opinion of General Taylor, Gen. Taylor at Resaca, .... " He never fought a battle !" - Gen. Taylor's Titles, Anecdotes of Taylor in the Black Hawk war, Taylor and Hard Fare, - - - - - Taylor and his Slate Carriage, - - - Taylor and the barrel of ice, - - - - Asleep on deck, Who wrote his Despatches 't • Incidents of the Battle Field, - - . Gen. Taylor's literary talents, ... Disi'cgard of jicrsonal danger, ... Gen. Taylor and the young officer in Florida, Old Rough and Ready in Florida, - - - Origin of the phrase " Old Rough and Ready," His courage in the Florida war, - - - Ills determined conduct on the field of battle, Gen. Taylor and the Kentuckians at Buena Vista, - - ... Taylor's negotiation with Ampudia at Monterey Gen. Taylor'.s good things, ... Dodging the balls, ------ " Major Bliss and I," Old Rough and Ready's Pony, ... THE TAYLOR TEXT-BOOK, OR ROUGH AND READY RECKONER. BALTIMORE: PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY SAMUEL SANDS, ■JVo, 2 Jcmis Building, A'wih street, 1848. Biographical Sketch of General Taylor. WHO IS GENERAL TAYLOR? Who is General Taylor?— slightingljr asked some persons when it was ascertained that he had been se- lected by the Administration to take command of the expedition about to be dispatched to the fron- tiers of Texas. Who is General Taylor? anxiously asked thou- sands when the news arrived that the American army under his command, was threatened with destruction by an overwhelming force of Mexicans on the Rio Grande. Who is General Taylor? wonderingly and admir- ine;ly exclaimed millions, not only in this country, biit'in Europe, when the glad tidings were received that with consummate skill and gallantry, he had ex- tricated his little army from their perilous position, and driven the enemy beyond the Rio Grande. The storming of Monterey, esteemed almost a miracle, paled before the brilliant victory achieved at liuena Vista, and the anxiety to have the ques- tion at the head of this article answered, has at once a thousand-fold increased, and been, to some extent, gratified. Much information has been elicited, and yet not enough to satisfy the public mind. One in- forms us that he is a gentleman of wealth and fami- ly, who prefers the " chances and changes" of mili- tary life to an existence of idleness and ease. Anoth- er, that he is a modest, retiring, unostentatious, and meritorious veteran, who has seen more service, and had more hard knocks, than any of our military men now living. Others have raked from the ashes of the past a remembrance, faint and indistinct, of services rendered by him, in days past, at Fort Harrison,— in the Black Hawk war, — and at Okee-cho-bee. The army and the public know him as " Old Zach," — " Old Rough and Ready,"— the " Hero of Palo Alto, Resaca deluPulma, Monterey, and Buena Vista" — "One of the Great Captains of the Age," — "one with whose name defeat was never coupled," — one who equally well conceives his campaigns and bat- tles — executes them when conceived — and describes them when executed. The enemies of the country know him as " the man who never surrenders." General Zachary 'I'aylor was born in Orange county, Virginia, on the 24th Nov., 1784. He comes from an ancient Virginia family, which emigrated from England with other friends of liberty, and settled in the Eastern part of Virginia, near two centuries ago — a family which has since been greatly distinguished in its branches; which is connect-jd with or related to most of the first fami- lies of Virginia, the Taylors, Madisons, Lees, Bar- bours, Pendletons, Conways, Taliaferros, and num- bering among tiieir ornaments such names as James Madison, Richard Henry Lee, John Taylor of Caro- line, Judge Pendleton, James and Philip Barbour, Gen Gaines, Gen. Hunt, of Texas, and others. His father, Richard Taylor, went to Kentucky a few months after Boone; — he explored tiie country, and then alone and on foot, proceeded through the wilderness, now constituting the Stales of Tennes- see, Mississippi, and Louisiana, to New Orleans, whence he returned by sea to Virginia. Appointed a Colonel in the Continental army, he served with great credit to himself through the Revolutionary war, and was engaged in many of the most celebrat- ed battles of that period. He was with Washing- ton at Trenton on Christmas day, 1776. 1785 Col. Taylor removed to Kentucky — Zachary being at that time only a few months old. The State was then the hunting ground of the Indians, — their battle field, — the scene of their constant and bloody excur- sions against the white settlers. Hence it is called "Kentucky," meaning, in their language, " The dark and bloody ground." In the battles with the Indi- ans, Col. Taylor greatly distinguished himself, and Governor Grayson, of Kentucky, is known to have said — "If 1 were going to attack the gates of Tar- tarus, I would want Col. Dick Taylor to lead the stormers." When peace was established Col. Tay- lor filled many honorable and responsible stations. He was one of the framers of the Constitution of Kentucky; represented Jefferson county and Louis- ville city for many years in both branches of the State Legislature, and was a member of the elec- toral colleges which voted for Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, and Clay. Among the politicians of Ken- tucky, he IS remembered as one of the few men of the Old Court party, who could be elected during the excitement of the "Old Court and New Court question." Col. Taylor died on his plantation, near Louisville, leaving three sons, — (his second and fourth, George and William, having died previously,) — Hancock, Zachary, and Joseph, and three daughters, Elizabeth, Sarah, and Emily. Hancock, Elizabeth, and Emily, died since their father, so that Joseph and Sarah are the only broth- er and sister of Zachary now living. Amongst the dangers and difficulties of Indian war- fare, and the hardships and privations of a frontier life, General Taylor was reared and educated. As a boy and as a young man, he was noted for his manly character — his blunt, sturdy straightforward- ne;s — his firmness of purpose — his thoughtfulness — his foresight and decision — his modest and retiring demeanour. — Many family and neighborhood ancc- ("otes are told of his feats of hardihood and his ad- ventures. Night after night was he in the habit of seeing the house barricaded, and the arms prepared to repel any attack that might be made before the morning dawned. Scarcely a week passed that there wa3 not an alarm, or an actual incursion of Indians a- mongst the settlements. Even on his way to school was he in danger of the tomahawk and scalping knife. On one occasion, some of his school mates were murdered and scalped by the Indians, v/ilhin a hun- dred yards of the point where he and his brothers had separated from them. Who can say what efiect a boyhood so passed had in the formation of the character which has so won- derfully displayed itself in Mexico I Amongst his intimates at school, were his brother. Col. Joseph P. Taylor, who distinguished himself at the Battle of Okee-cho-beej and is now in the Com- BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF GEN. TAYLOR. missary Department, — and Col. George Croghan, subsequently the " Ilero of Sandusky." In 1808, after the affair of the Chesapeake and Leopard, the subject of this sketch applied for a commission in the Army, and was appointed by Mr. Jeficrson, then President of the United States, a 1st Lieutenant in the 7lh Infantry. His career from that time to the breaking out of the hostilities be- tween this country and JEngland, has but little inter- est for the public. Attending to the routine of his duties, he prepared himself for the more active ser- vice of his profession, when opportunity should offer. At the opening of the campaign in 1812, we find him a Captain in command of Fort Harrison, a rude and weak stockade on the Wabash, with a small force not exceeding fifty men, most of whom were, like himself, disabled, by sickness, from doing duty. In this state, a body of 400 British and Indians en- deavored to get possession of his defences by strata- gem. In this they were foiled by iiis wariness and caution. On the 5th September, 1812, they attack- ed him and made most strenuous efforts to carry his •works. They succeeded in firing a block house, which constituted one side of his defences, and thus opened a way for their assaults. In spite of this, his own sickness, and the inefficiency of his com- mand, he succeeded in repulsing them with consid- erable loss. They abandoned the undertaking. For this gallant defence, Mr. Madison conferred upon him the Brevet rank of Major — the first Brevet ever confeirid in our ^rmy. In 1832 he commanded the regular troops in the Black Hawk war, and endured the hardships and privations of that most vexatious campaign. For several years after that he remained in command of Fort Crawford, at Prairie du Chien, (built by him,) and kept in awe the Indian tribes in that quarter. — By them he was called the " Big Chief." In 1836, as Colonel of the 1st Infantry, he went to Florida — relinquishing a furlough to do so. There he was placed in command of a separate column, composed of the 1st, 4th, and 6lh Infantry, — some ar- tillery, and the Missouri volunteers. On the 25th day of December, 1837, — Christmas Day, — with the above named troops, amounting to about 500 men, he attacked and defeated, at Okee-clio-bee, seven hundred Indians under the command of Sam Jones, Alligator, and Coa-choo-chee. The Indians were strongly posted in a dense hammock, perfectly con- cealed, and confident of victory. The hammock crossed in front, and partially flanked, on either side, the only access to their position. This ap- proach was perfectly exposed, and led through a swamp, covered with saw-grass, in the mireof which our men sunk to the knee at every step. But Gen. Taylor (then Colonel) was not to be deterred by dif- ficulties and dangers. He attacked the enemy in their position, and after a blocdy and desperate en. gagement of three hours, succeeded in driving them before him with great slaughter, at the point of the bayonet. — Some idea may be formed of the severity of the contest from the fact, that Taylor hero lost Colonel Thompson, Col. Gentry, Capt. Van Swear- engen, Lts. Brooke and Carter, and 149 men — more than one-fourth his whole force. Major Noel, who was breveted for his gallantry in this action, enter- ed the swamp with a full company and had only sev- en men at the close of the battle. This was the se- verest battle, and the last one in the Florida war. — Gen. Taylor, as is his custom, was everywhere in the thickest of the fight. For this action he receiv- ed the brevet rank of Brigadier Genetal, and the command in F'lorida. After four or five years hard service amongst the swamps and diseases of Florida, he desired to be recalled, and was assigned the com- mand of the 1st Military Department, composed of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, Sic. with his headquarters at Fort .lesup. There he remain- ed, waiting quietly until his country should again re- quire his active services. When it was determined by the Administration to send an army to the frontiers of Texas, Gen. Tay- lor was selected to command it. He was (we are informed) requested by the War Department to withdraw an application for a furlough wiiichhehad previously filed, and v/hich from his uninterrupted servicRS, the courtesy and custom of the Department could scarcely have denied him. Ever self-sacrific- ing and always scrupulously attentive to even the shadow of duty, he gave up his furlough, as he had before done, wiien ordered to Florida, and entered energetically upon the work assigned him. With his career since that lime, — glorious and dazzling as it is, — the country is familiar. Yet few, compara- tively, — strange as the statement may at first view appear, — appreciate Gen. Taylor as he deserves. The whole country rings with his fame, — the great and small, rich and poor, delight to do him honor, — scarcely a breath of detraction mingles with the ho- mage almost universally awarded him, — yet, we re- peat, but few appreciate him as he deserves. Caught and blinded by the splendour of his most astonishing victories, how iew consider the labours, the cares, the anxieties, the difficulties, he experienced in or- ganizing tills expedition. How few think of the ob- stacles to be overcome in the embarkation of troops, — upon the march, — and in the camp. How few con- sider his feelings, — his distress, — when in his camp he saw his men destitute of the commonest necessa- ries, dying, day after day, from disease and exposure. How few appreciate his extended views of policy and his great military plans since disclosed to us in his despatches to the War Department, written about that time. How few regard the readiness and ability with which he accepted and carried out the views, ludfmirunrij, halfpoHlical, rf the government, from the moment he landed at Corpus Cliristi and throughout the war; but more especially in his march to Mata- inoros, — his conduct on the march, — and his course whilst at Fort Brown ! At the risk of his life, and what was dearer than life. — his reputation, — he swerved not in the slightest degree from the spirit of the policy marked out lor him by his govern- ment. Who would envy him his feelings whilst in the face of an enemy, who, he knew, could make all preparations and strike him or remain friendly, at their own election, and at whatever time and under whatever circumstances best suited them, while he must rest quiet and await the blow? Who can suf- ficiently praise hiin for his foresight, forbearance and endurance, when, — although his camp was al- most in a state of mutiny — he refrained from crush- ing, as he could easily have done, the small parties which first crossed the Rio Grande? Had he done so, he would have had on his hands an endless, vexa- tious, guerilla war, and the glorious battles of the 8th and 9th would never have been fought. As much as Gen. Taylor deserves for those battles, he deserves ten-fold more for his conduct prior to the time when they were fought. The former showed him a General of skill, coolness, gallantry, — the lat- ter proved him not only a soldier, but a man of en- ergy and endurance, — one who could not only act but BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF GEN. TAYLOR. wait, — a man of strong mind, capable of extended military and political views. To follow Geii. Taylor's course throufx'i the Mex- ican campaign from the 7th of May, 1846, to the present time would be a work of supererogation. What man with American heart and feeliii<^ need be reminded of achievements which have done more to give us confidence in ourselves, and to raise us in the estimation of the world, than anythin:^ which has occurred since the gallant actions of the war of 1312? Through city and village, — upon hill and plain, — from the highest to the lowest, the name of Taylor has become a household word, — his victories and his despatches the theme of every tongue. On the Sth and 9th of May, were fought the bat- tles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma. Who has forgotton the intense anxiety which pervaded the country, when the news arrived that our little Army opposite Matamoros was surrounded by three or four times their number of the enemy, and their communications cut oil? Some commenced cavil- ling at the capacity of the General in command. The many inquired anxiously as to his character. The very Jew, knowing the man, recollecting his ser- vices in times past, predicted that all would be done that skill and gallantry could effect. Even the most hopeful inquired the number of rations in his camp, and calculated how long he could maintain Fort Brown, and when reinforcements could reach him. He however entertained no such ideas as these. He decided upon and performed acoii/u/e mitin, which at once stamped him as a general, and which, we are informed, is the same suggested by liie Duke of Wel- lington in conversation, upon the arrival in England of the news of the position of our forces. Leaving in Fort Brown a garrison with instructions " to hold out to the last extremity," he, with the main body of his army, moved down to Point l.^abei, put that post in a state of security, obtained additional ammu- nition and provisions, and commenced retracing his steps to the relief of the gallant men left behind him, and to the maintenance of the position he had tirst taken. To the war Department he wrote detailing his proceedings, and saying, " if the enemy ob- struct »1Y MARCH, I.V WHATEVEn FORCE, I WILL FIGHT niM." At Palo Alto he found Gen. Arista with COOU men prepared to meet him. His own force amounted to :iUOO men, encumbered with a long train of wagons. He could bring into the tight only 1700 men, yet, with these he drove the enemy from their position with great loss, and slept upon the Battle Field. On the morning of the 9th a coun- cil was called as to the expediency of proceeding,— fortifying themselves and awaiting reinforcements, — or falling back to Point Isabel. In the council there was a difference of opinion. Gen. Taylor's decision deserves to be recorded in history — " If 1 live, 1 WILL sleep in Fort Brow.v to-night !" He was as good as his word ; and thereby saved the noble garrison which had defended Fort Brown against the unremitting attacks of the Mexicans for live days and nights. He resumed his march and continued it until he reached the Resaca de la Palma. Here he found the enemy, who being reinforced, now amounted to about 9000 men, advantageously posted in a position of their own selection, crossing the road along which he must pass, having their front protected by the ravine and their Hanks by the tliick chapparal. He did not hesitate to attack them, and a n)ost glorious and complete victory crowned his arms. The ene- my were driven beyond the Rio Grande and that night Gen. Taylor slept in Fort Brown! The loss of the Mexicans in these battles, amounting it is be- lieved in killed and wounded to near two thousand men (though General Taylor's modesty estimates the number less in his despatches,) proves that they fought well. There, were the choice troops of Mexico. Rank after rank was mowed down, and replaced, — the guns were again and again captured, retaken, and manned, and the victory was only com- plete when at least one seventh of the whole Mexi- can Army had been placed hors du combat. The limits of this sketch will not allow us to speak fully Gen. Taylor's praises, nor to recount the thousand acts of gallantry displaced in these two days. The. first mail which tended to relieve our anxieties, brought us the news of the brilliant victories. The country was electrified, the world astonished, and Gen. Taylor was at once, and deservedly, ranked amongst the Great Captains of the world. His in- dillerence to danger was attested by his being every- where in the thickest of the fight, and by the perfect coolness and calmness with which he surveyed the field and gave his orders. When desired by his staff", to retire from a position where the balls fell thick, he replied, " Let us move a little 7ien?-ej- and they will pass over our heads." We cannot refrain from tell- ing one anecdote illustrative of his tact. A large body of Mexican cavalry was about charging a weak battalion, which was thrown into square to repel it It being impossible for Gen. Taylor in the then stage of the fight to detach any troops to its support, he himself, alone, rode amongst them saying — " Men, I place myself in your square." The soldiers recog- nised their General, gave him a cheer, and receiving the enemy with a well directed fire, repulsed them with loss. For these battles Gen. Taylor received the Brevet rank of Major General, the thanks of Congress, and a gold medal commemorative of the events. Thanks were voted him, and swords presented him by Louis- iana and other States. He was subsequently ap- pointed a full Major General under the Supplement- ary war bill. A few days after these battles Gen. Taylor crossed the Rio Grande, and took possession of Matamoros. From that time to the early part of September he was engaged in receiving, organizing, and disciplining his reinforcements, principally vol- unteers ; establishing depots, — collecting provisions and munitions of war, — and procuring means of transporting his army into the interior of Mexico. These duties, always more vexatious and labori- ous than fighting, are at the same time less ajjpre- ciated. After making every effort in his power, he found in the early part of September that he had barely transportation sufficient for the provisions, munitions, and materiel, for COOO troops. With this number however, he determined to move forward to Monterey, the capital city of the State of Nuevo Leon. 'Phis he found admirably fortified, as well by nature as by art, and defended by 10,000 troops, be- sides the armed inhabitants. The situation of the city rendered it defensible. There were strong works upon the right and left of the town extending to the rear. In front there is the Black Fort, — al- most impregnable when properly manned. Besides all this their streets were barricaded, and every house constituted a fortress, being looped for musketry. Nothing daunted, Gen. Taylor attacked this Gibral- tar, and after three days hard fighting compelled Gen. Ampudia the commandant to capitulate. That he should have succeeded against such odds, and BIOGRAPHICAL. SKETCH OF GEN. TAYLOR. under such disadvantages, is as he himself ingenii- done, sounds like romance. Yet was it real,— al- ously remarks, " one of the nnaccountable events of most loo real— as many a saddened heart and vacant the age." It was acknowledged to be an achieve- | seat round the firesides in our country manifest, inent more brilliant than the victories of Palo Alto | To follow General Taylor hum the capitulation and Resaca, and has been characterised as " an at Monterey and do him justice is the most difficult instance of daring and success which has few if any . part of the duty we have undertaken. Were it not parallels in modern warfare." Never was more j that all who read this have sufficient information to consummate generalship displayed than by Gen. Tay- ' eke out that in vviiich we may be at loss, or sufficient lor on this occasion. It had been his plan originally j enthusiasm in the subject to excuse it, we would to send Gen. Worth's division to the right of the abandon the attempt. town, Gen. Butler's to the left and rear, and to have [ Gen. Taylor, as we have seen, from a deficiency retamed Gen. Twiggs' in front. These positions in means of transportation, had been able to take were to have been taken on the 21st. On the night i with him to Monterey, so little provision and so fe-Y of (he 21st he, with Twiggs' division would have ' munitions of war, and his little army was so cut up carried the citadel. On the morning of the 22d the ! in the battle and worn out by its fatigues, that, v/hen three divisions were to have moved simultaneously to the attack from their various positions, and the city must have fallen under this well digested plan. " Man proposes, but God disposes." It was a part of the original plan of Gen. T. to create on the morning of the 21st a diversion in favor of General Wor(h,"who had on the 2()th been ordered to take up the position contemplated as above described. On the night of the 20th Gen. Worth having dis- covered tiial the opposition otfered him would be most formidable, wrote a note to Gen. Taylor urging him to make the diversion a strong one. In effect- ing this on the morning of the 21st, Garland's divi- sion became involved. To save it, Gen. Taylor found it would be necessary to move up the whole volunteer division. On the instant he changed his entire preconceived plan of operations, and deter- mined to make the fight then. He ordered up all the troops with the exception of his reserve — pressed the enemy so in their fortifications as to force them to concentrate their forces upon that part of the town — and thus left to Worth a comparatively easy task in accomplishing the work intrusted to his divi- sion. This Worth did gallantly — as gallantly as man could do — but the Hero of Monterey is the commanding General — he who planned the attack and ordered the details — he who where balls flew thickest and death was busiest, bore the brunt of the battle. The hard fighting at Monterey was on the lift of the town. The first shot fired at Monterey was from one of the long culverins, aimed at Gen. Taylor himself, whilst recoinioitering. It struck a short distance in front of him and boimded over his head. "There ! I knew it would fall short of me, "he calmly remarked. One anecdote of Gen. Taylor at Monterey, told by his staff, has never appeared in print. In travers- ing the field of battle, it was necessary to cross a bridge which was constantly swept by the Mexican artillery. When approaching it, it was agreed that Ihey (the General and his staff) should cross it singly at a gallop. Four had crossed thus, when it came to the General's turn. Just as he reached the middle of the bridge, and when the balls were show- ering around him, something going wrong in another part of the field attracted his attention. Stopping his horse, (much to the discomfiture of those follow- ing him,) he deliberately look out and arranged his spy-glass, satisfied himself, and then closing it, rode on ! In the streets of the town, where there was not a foot of ground which was not riddled by balls, he was seen, walking to and fro, directing his men in their attacks upon the barricades and houses. Any eulogium we could pass on the storming of Monterey, would fall far short of the reality. Barely to state the facts, as we have hastily and imperfectly the administration directed him to terminate the armistice which constituted one of the provisions of the capitulation, he was unable to move onward. To move up men and munitions, — to establish depots and extend properly his base of operations, — to dis- pose of his forces so as to secure the country which had fallen into his power with the taking of Monte- rey, — required time and labor. The administration about this time concluded to change in some measure the plan of the campaign, and for the first time asked General Taylor's views upon the subject. He gave them fully, clearly and succinctly — in a manner to challenge the admiration of the civilian as well as the soldier. Any one, to rightly appreciate General Taylor, must read, carefully and thoughtfully, his despatches to the War Department from the time he entered Mexico to the present, — especially those written subsequently to the taking of Monterey. They show him the man as well as the general, — the civilian as well as the soldier — Their great merit consists not in their conciseness, and the aptitude and pertinency of every word and expression, — (though in these they are models,)— but in the ex- tensiveness of their views of civil policy, — the grand- ness of their conceptions of military operations. The administration, not approving what Geperal Taylor had done and proposed doing, — or for some cause not known to us, — determined to take from hita the control of the campaign, and to commit it to Gen. iScott. Of this General Taylor was of course ignorant. He first threw forward General Worth with his division to occupy Saltillo,— a point com- manding the great pass through which alone an army of any size, with artillery, &c., could make a de- monstration upon his positions and lines of commu- nication, and operation. He next ordered General Wool to occupy Parras, a position where he com- manded the approaches from the State of Chihuahua, and which would enable him to attack on the flank any force marching from San Luis Potosi upon Sal- tillo. His intention was moreover, and in chief, that in the event of an expedition into the interior of Mexico, General Wool should hold the Patos pass, and prevent a force being thrown through that, upon the communications in his rear. With the same general purpose. Gen. Tay lor,— (that he might occu- py che only other road through the mountains, the Tu- la pass,)— left a garrison in Monterey, and in person, moved down with the remainder of his force to Vic- toria. At the same time he ordered General Patter- son to move with his forces along the coast, by that means protecting his (Gen. Taylor's) flank and con- centrating the forces at Victoria. With Tampico in our possession, this plan of operations would have secured to us, beyond the possibility of redemption, the Slates of New Leon and Tamaulipas, and the passes thus held would have most efl'ectually pre- BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF GEN. TAILOR. vented the enemy from penetrating into the con- quered territory. With the passes thus in our pos- session and our whole line defended hy 10,000 men — the new levies in some measwe supplying the place of a portion of the regulars and more experienced vol- unteers who might have been withdrawn from Point Isabel, Matamoras, Camargo, and even partly from Monterey, — an expedition mii!;ht wisely have been organized against Vera Cruz. Taylor however was at this point checked in his operations. At Victoria he received from Gen. Scott information that he had assumed the command, a requisition for all his regulars with the exception of about 1000 artillery and dragoons, and all of the volunteers who had seen any service, with the exception of the 2d Mississippi regiment, and directions to return to and remain at Monterey. The scene here presented to the mind might touch the heart of the most callous — a general who had organized and trained his troops — suffered with them the hardships and privations of the most arduous portion of the campaign — and fought three battles which had elevated the charac- ter of the country and shed an enduring halo round the American arms — parting from his army, with a mere escort, to go into a retiracy which diii'ered from banishment only in name. Who has not his sympathies aroused for the old veteran, when, with the small troop that was to accompany him, await- ing his leave-taking, he addressed those with whom he had conquered on the Rio Grande and at Monte- rey commending their past conduct, — speaking of the hardships they had together endured, — urging them on to fresh deeds, and continued patriotism on other fields, and under another leader ! His ready and uncompromising obedience to the civil authorities in this most trying and mortifying circumstance is a sublime moral spectacle, and sheds additional brightness on his name. Gen. Taylor retired to Monterey. But a remnant of an army was left with him, and he was directed to remain on the defensive. The country supposed that he would either retire from the army, or ne- cessarily remain in inglorious inactivity. He did neither. His country could not spare his services, and he felt it his duty to give them whenever re- quired, whether they were appreciated or not. It was moreover not his disposition to remam idle, however small the means at his command might be. Here he displayed over again, most conspicuously, at once the noble generosity of his character, unadulterated patriotism, and the great military sa- gacity which have become synonymous with his name. Scott was about attacking Vera Cruz. Gen. Taylor knew that any demonstration towards San Louis would aid in the success of this undertaking. He, however, had not been well treated, — yet the best interests of the country might be served and he smothered all personal considerations. He at once perceived that Monterey was not the point at which his stand even on the defensive should be made. He took the responsibility, instead of remaining in security and shielding himself behind his orders as he might have done, and marched to Saltillo. At that point he found the volunteers, who constituted the mass of his forces flurried, at having the regulars with- drawn from them, and disheartened by the inactivity of a camp life without any prospect of action. His presence restored their confidence — as it always has the remarkable power of doing, — such is the un- bounded confidence of the soldiers in his skill, gal- lantry and resources. For the purpose of encour- aging his men, and counteracting this despondency incident to volunteers in inactivity, he removed hif> camp to Agua Nueva — 20 miles in advance of Sal- tillo. The next tidings we have are that his small army of 500 regulars and 4200 volunteers — most of whom had never been in battle — are about being overwhelmed by 20,000 Mexicans led by Santa An- na in person. Gen. Urrea with 6000 cavalry had thrown himself in his rear by way of Victoria, thus demonstrating General Taylor's wisdom in desiring the Tula pass occupied. For more than a week the whole country was kept in a state of the most in- tense anxiety for his fate and that of his small, yet gallant army. Report followed report, — now that he was defeated, — again that with great loss he had succeeded in making his retreat to Monterey. Hi3 best friends and those who had the greatest reliance upon his great capacity and readiness for every emer- gency, entertained gloomy forebodings, and dared not hope more than that he would by great exertions be able to escape with the remnant of his army into the Black Fort at Monterey. Again, — (as had been the case in May, 1846,) — were calculations made as to the number of rations in that place, and the length of time his army, there cooped up, would be able to subsist. Did he think of defeat and retreat? No! He had weighed well every circumstance. He had chosen his battle field. He knew that the proper place to fight was in front of Saltillo. He knew that should the Mexican army once get him in Monterey, they would, with part of their force, threaten and hold him in cheek, whilst the rest would pounce down upon his depots at Camargo and Matamoros, cut off his communications, and destroy his base line of operations. He knew that they would occupy the Rinconada pass, the pass " de los Muertos," and thence be able, with impunity, continually to annoy his forces. He had, moreover, planted himself at Agua Nueva — the position suited his fancy — and he was not disposed to relinquish it without some hard knocks. " Will Santa Anna attack you. General !" inquired one of his officers. " Let him come," was the reply, with a shrug of the shoulders, " he will go back faster than he came." To Dr. Wood, his son-in-law, he wrote, " I will fall back to a position proper for the manceuvering of my artillery, and then if Santa Anna wishes to distinguish himself, I will give him a chance." He retired to the battle- tleld he had chosen — Bucna Vista. Santa Anna ap- proached and demanded an unconditional surrender. The reply was, " Come and take me!" On the 22d of February the battle commenced between 21,000 regulars, picked troops, under their favorite leader, " the Napoleon of the West," figliting in their own country, for their homes, ihek families, their very exist- ence — and 5000 raw volunteers — carrying on a icar of invasion. The night of the 2.'M closed upon the greatest victory of modern times, and beheld the strength of Mexico broken — her last hope destroyed . The battles of the 8th and 9th of May were esteemed wonderful. These were eclipsed by the storming of Monterey. Even this last must pale before the hard fought battle of Buena Vista. The papers teem with incidents and descriptions of the fight — the country rings with praises of the hero and his gallant men! The effects of this battle are in the last degree important. Had fjanta Anna defeated Ctcu. Taylor, he would have instructed the garrison of Vera Cruz and San Juan De Ulua to hold out to th^ last extremity, whilst with his army , flushed with jtory, and supplied with the spoils, he would have caaturcd Camargo and Matamoros, and then falleti BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF GEN. TAYLOR. on Scott's rear, or attacked the former with a portion of his troops, whilst with tlie remainder he attempted the latter. With tlie city and castle in front, Santa Anna's inspirited troops in the rear, and the vomito threatening him, Gen. Scott's position would have been anything but comfortable or safe. By the battle of Buena Vista, however, the best disciplined and most efficient army that Mexico ever had, was annihilated — the military power and resources of the country were shaken — Santa Anna was stripped of his influence and prestige — our own troops were ren- dered invincible, and those of the enemy panic-struck and utterly demoralized. The garrisons of Vera Cruz and of San Juan De Ulua, dispirited and unsustained, surrendered after a siiort struggle; and, at Cerro Gordo, along the National Road, and at the City of Mexico, the recollections of what Taylor and h is men had accom- plished on the Rio Grande and at Buena Vista, gave assurance of victory to our own gallant troops. The Americans felt confident of success against any odds and under any circumstances, whilst the Mexicans were sure that defeat must continually await them, whatever might be the superiority of their numbers, or the advantage of their position. Many interesting reflections suggest themselves in a review of the Mexican campaign, connected as it is with the name and fame of General Tay- lor. Leading almost " a forlorn hope" — forced to reconcile and combine political views with his military operations, — ordered at once to spur and to soothe, to strike and to conciliate, — there have been required of Gen. Taylor, the highest qualities of both the soldier and the civilian. Cramped in his means and continually instructed that we were on the eve of a peace, his sword has been rendered less trench- ant by the olive branches twined around it, — his arm has been paralysed in dealing its most sturdy blows, — he has been prevented from pressing and improving to their full extent the advantages he has gained. Yet withal,— quietly, — without parade, — without a single intrusion of self, — by hard fighting and hard working, — by indomitable energy and perseverance, — nobly seconded by the discipline, the gallantry, the endurance of his troops, he drove the enemy from the Rio Grande, — occupied the country as far as Saltillo, — gained within twelve months, four of the most splendid victories on record, — completely hioke the military power of Mexico, — and effected, a;* far as was permitted him, the objects of the adminis- tration. In every instance, from the defence of Fort Harrison to the battle of Buena Vista, he has fought with great odds against him. He has fought with his best officers and without them, — with regulars, — with volunteers and regulars conjoined, — and with volunteers alone. He has attacked the enemy upon the plain,— he has stormed their fortifications,— ho has been attacked by them in his position. In every fight has he been victorious, — underevery variety of circumstance, — great! He has been found equal to every emergency, and has astonished the world by his skill and gallantry,— his power and resources. His announcements of his victories are models of military correspondence, — the plans of campaign contained in his more lengthy communications to the War Department, stamp him (infinitely more than the mere man of military etiquette and detail), the General— the Great Captain. His views of policy, military and civil, prove that he would adorn any station he might be called upon to fill. His great foresight, — his strong common sense, — his skill in conceiving and promptitude in executing, — his cool judgment, — his calm determination, — his gallantry and presence of mind in the heat of battle, — his hu- manity and forbearance in the hour of victory,— his stern sense of justice and right, — his great simplicity of character, — mark him as a man who would have compared with the old Romans, and proved "the noblest Roman of them all,"— a man who should have taken place among our revolutionary fathers. Brave in war, — gentle in peace, — modest in victory, —just and generous in every thing, — it seems as if one of the giant race of men of preceding ages had been, in Gen. Taylor, providentially endued with new life, that he might grapple with this crisis in our affairs. Letters from General Zachary Taylor, RELATIVE TO THE PRESIDENCY OF THE UNITED STATES, No. 1. FROM THE NEW ORLEANS BULLETIN OF MAY 20. West Baton Roitge, (La.) J\Iaij I5ih, 1847. \V. L. Hodge, Esq. — Dear Sir: I send you, an- nexed, an extract of a letter which I have recently received from Gen. Taylor ; and, as it shadows forth the feelings and views of the General on the subject of the next Presidency in a manner which can do no violence to the feelings of any one, I have determined to publish that portion of it which relates to a subject in whicli liis name has been very generally associated Ihrougliout the country for some time past. I do so with the more readiness, because it is eminently calculated to give a proper insight into the real character of this eminent man. Please let il have a place in your columns. Yours, very sincerely and respectfully. EXTRACT FROM GEN. TAYLOR'S LETTER. " In regard to the Presidency, I will not say that 1 would not serve, if the good people of the country were to require me to do so, however much it is op- posed to my wishes — for I am free to say that I have 110 aspirations for the situation. My greatest, per- haps only wish, has been to bring, or aid in bringing, this war to a speedy and honorable close. It has ever been, and still is, my anxious wish that some one of the most experienced, talented, and virtuous statesmen of the country should be chosen to that high place at the next election. I am satisfied that, if our friends will do their duty, such a citizen may be elected. " I must, however, be allowed to say, that I have rot the vanity to consider myself qualified for so high and responsible a station; and, whilst we have far more eminent and deserving names before the country, I should prefer to stand aside if one of them could be raised to the first office in the gift of a free people. " I go for the country, the whole country ; and it is my ardent and sincere wish to see the individual placed at the head of the nation, who, by a slricl ob- servance of the Constitution, (be he who he may,) can make us most prosperous at home, as well as most re*pected abroad." No. 2. THE " SIGNAL" LETTER, Head-quarten Jinny of Occupalion, Camp near J\Ionlerey, May 18, 1847. Sir : I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, with the enclosure of your editorial, extracted from the "Signal" of the 13th April. At this time rny public duties command so fully my attention that it is impossible to answer your let- ter in the terms demanded by its courtesy, and the importance of the senlinicnts to which it alludes; neither, indeed, have I the time, should I feel myself at liberty, to enter into the few and most general subjects of public policy suggested by the article in question. My own personal views were better with- held till the end of the war, when my usefulness as a military chief, serving in the field against the com- mon enemy, shall no longer be compromised by their expression or discussion in any manner. From many sources I have been addressed on the subject of the Presidency, and I do violence neither to myself nor to my position as an Officer of the Army, by acknowledging to you, as I have done to all who have alluded to the use of my name in this exalted connexion, that my services are ever at the will and call of the country, and that I am not pre- pared to say that I shall refuse if the country calls me to the Presidential office, but that I can and shall yield to no call that does not come from the spontane- ous action and free will of the nation at large, and void of the slightest agency of my own. For the high honor and responsibilities of such an office, I take this occasion to say that I have not the slightest aspiration. A much more tranquil and sat- isfactory life, after the termination of my present duties, awaits me, I trust, in the society of my fami- ly and particular friends, and in the occupations most congenial to my wishes. In no case can I per- mit myself to be the candidate of any party, or yield myself to party schemes. With these remarks,! trust you will pardon me for thus briefly replying to you, which I do with a high opinion and approval of the sentiments and views embraced in your editorial. With many Avishes for your prosperity in life, and great usefulness in the sphere in which your talents and exertions are embarked, I beg to acknowledge myself, most truly and respectfully, your obedient servant, Z. TAYLOR, Maj. Gen. U. S. Army. Jas. W. Taylor, Esq., Cincinnati, Ohio. No. .3. TO EDWARD DELONY. Camp near Monterey, Mexico, June 9, 1847. Dear Sir: — Your letter of the 15th ult., from Clinton, La. has just reached me, in which you are pleased to say, "the signs of the times relative to the next Presidency, and the prominent position of your name in connection with it, is a sufficient excuse for the letter." That "it is a happy feature in our government, that official functionaries under it, from the lowest to the highest station, are not beyond the reach and partial supervision of the humblest citizen, and that it is a right inherent in every freeman to possess himself of the political principles and opinions of those into whose hands the administration of the government may be placed," &.c., to all of which I fully coincide with you in opinion. Asking my views on several subjects, "First — As to the justice and the necessity of this war with Mexico on our part. Second — As to the necessity of a national bank, and the power of Congress for creating such an institution. Third — As to the effects of a high protective tarifi", and the POLITICAL LETTERS. right of congress, under the Constitution, to create such a sj'stem of revenue." As regards the first interrogatory, my duties, and the position I occupy, I do not consider it would be proper in me to give my opinion in regard to the same ; as a citizen, and particularly as a soldier it is sufficient for me to know that our country is' at war with a foreign nation, to do all in my power to bring it to a speedy and honorable termination, bv the most vigorous and energetic operations, without inquiring about its justice, or any thing else connect- ed with it ; believing, as I do, it is our wisest policy to be at peace with all the world, as long as it can be done without endangering the honor and interests of the country. As regards the second and third in- quiries, I am not prepared to answer them; I could only do so after duly investigating those subjects, which I cannot now do; my whole time being fully occupied in attending to my proper official duties, which must not be neglected under any circum- stances ; and I must say to you in substance what I have said to others in regard to similar matters, that I am no politician. Nearly forty years of my life have been passed in the public service, in the army, most of the time in the field, the camp, on our western frontier, or in the Indian country ; and for nearly the last two, in this country or Texas, during which time I have not pass- ed one nio-ht under the roof of a house. As regards be- ing a candidate for the Presidency at the coming election, I have no aspirations in that way, and re- gret the subject has been agitated at this early day, and that it had not been deferred until the close of this war, or until the end of the next session of Con- gress, especially if I am to be mixed up with it, as it is possible it may lead to the injury of the public service in this quarter, by my operations being em- barrassed, as well as produce much excitement in the country growing out of the discussion of the me- rits, &c., of the different aspirants for that high of- fice, which might have been very much allayed, if not prevented, had the subject been deferred, as 1 suggested ; besides, very many changes may take place between now and 1848, so much so, as to make it desirable for the interest of the country, that some other individual than myself, better qualified for the situation, should be selected ; and could he be elect- ed, I would not only acquiesce in such arrangement, but would rejoice that the republic had one citizen, and no doubt there are thousands more deserving than I am, and better qualified to discharge the du- ties of said office. If I have been named by others, and considered a candidate for the Presidency, it has been by no agency of mine in the matter ; and if the good people think my services important in that sta- tion, and elect me, I will feel bound to serve them, and all the pledges and explanations I can enter into and make, as regards this or that policy, is, that I will do so honestly and faithfully to the "best of my abilities, strictly in conformance with the Constitu- tion. Should I ever occupy the White House, it must be by the spontaneous move of the people, and by no act of mine, so that I could go into the office untrammelled, and be the chief magistrate of the nation, and not of a party. But should they, the people, change their views and opinions between this and the time of holding the election, and cast their votes for the Presidency for some one else, I will not complain. With con- siderations of respect, I remain your ob't serv't, Z. TAYLOR. P. S. I write in great haste and under constant in- terruption. No. 4. TO DR. J. T. CLARKE. Headquarters ^rmy of Occupation, Camp near Monterey, Mexico, June 21, 1847. Sir : 1 have the honor to acknowledge, with senti- ments of high gratification, the receipt of a copy of the Resolutions recently adopted at a meeting of the Democratic Whigs of the county of Mercer, N. J. My thanks are specially due to my friends of the State of New Jersey, for their flattering expression of approval and esteem, and which 1 can assure them is as truly reciprocated. I embrace this occasion to remark, that if the people of the country desire to place me in the high office of the Chief Magistracy, 1 do not feel myself at liberty to refuse ; but, on the contrary, in that po- sition, as well as one more humble, it will ever be my pride and constant endeavor to serve my country with all the ability I possess. Please convey these my thanks and brief acknow- ledgments to the citizens of the county of Mercer. I wish them and yourself much prosperity and hap- piness. With great respect, I remain your obedient servant, Z. TAYLOR, Maj. Gen. U. S. Army. Dr. J. T. Clarke, Secretary Public Meetine at Trenton, N. J. ^ No. 5. TO WM. HALL, ESQ., OF MARYLAND. Headquarters ^rmy of Occupation, Camp near Monterey, {Mexico,) July 6, 1847. My Dear Sir : The' resolutions recently adopted by a meeting of the citizens of Prince George's county, Md., forwarded to me by you, have been, with your accompanying letter, duly received. Through you 1 would respectfullj return to those kind friends my deep and sincere thanks for the very high lionor and flattering testimonials of approval which they have thus conferred upon me. If the good people of the nation should so greatly honor me with elevation to the Chief Magistracy, I shall, by all zealous endeavors and to the best of my ability, strive to serve them, and maintain the best and high- est interest of the whole country ; yet, though I feel impelled to yield to the call of the people at large, I should hail with pleasure their determination to con- fer so great a gift on some eminent statesman. Be pleased to accept, with these acknowledgments, for yourself and those whomyou represent, the warm good wishes and regard of your most obliged servant, Z. TAYLOR, Major General U. S. Army. Wm. Hall, Esq., Aquasco, Prince George's county, Md. N®. 6. TOGEN. P. S.SMITH. Headquarters Jlrmy of Occupation, Camp mar Monterey, July 6, 1847. Sir : The prospectus of a Native American paper, to be edited by yourself, forwarded to me with at- tached remarks from you, has been duly received. Upon the points alluded to in those remarks, and to which members of the Native American party re- quire assent from those whom they favor for the Presidency, i can only say with all candor, that if elected to that office it must be by the spontaneous will of the people at large, and without agency or pledge on my part in any particular. If I ever fill that high office, it must be untrammelled with party 10 POLITICAL LETTERS. obligations or interests of any kind, and under none but those which the Constitution and the high inter- ests of the natioB at large most seriously and solemn- ly demand. I do not desire the Presider>cy, and only yield thus far my assent, to be considered a candidate in the same proportion in which it is desired by the people, irrespective of party. Your paper — the number which you were kind enough to promise — will be very acceptable ■, mean- while I can only hope it will prove useful to the country. Very truly and sincerely, your obedient servant, Z. TAYLOR, Major General U. S. Army. Peter Sken Smith, Esq., Phiiadelphia, Pa. No. 7. TO DR. W. J. A. BIRKEY. Headquarters ±,inny of Occupation^ C-amp ne-ar JMonteretj, July 13, 1847. Sir: I had the honor to receive your letter sub- mitting on the part of the Nominating Committee of the Native American Convention, the request to be informed of my views relating to several points of National policy entertained by the body of Native Americans of our country. Limited leisure from my public duties coostrains tne to reply in very general and brief terms, that to the points cited in your letter, I do not feel myself at liberty to express my frank opinion. My willingness to yield to the wishes of the people at large, snd to serve them in the office of the Chief Magistracy, should they fully and unanimoosly place its weighty responsibilities upon me, has been more than once expressed, but I am not willing to be the candidate of any party, to pledge myself to any political creed save that which proceeds diiectly from the Constitu- tion, and the best and paramount interests of the country, and which they solemnly demand. Ifelect- ed to the Presidential office, it must be without any agency of my own, (it will be at variance with oiy most ctierished aspirations,) and to those duties I must go untrammelled by party pledges of every character. Should the people nominate and elect (and there is ample space for this, previous to the time of elec- tion) some one of the gifted statesmen of the coun- try to represent its highest interests, 1 should hail the measure with joy. With sentiments of highest respect, I have the honor to subscribe myself, your most obedient ser- vant, z. TAYLOR, Maj. Gen. U.S. Army. W. J. A. BiRKET, Esq., President Native Ameri- can Convention, Pittsburgh, Pa. No. 8. WILLIAM DOCK, ESQ., IIARRISBURG. Headquarters Army of Occupation, ) Camp near Montery, Aug. 2, 1847. \ Dear Sir : — Your letter, enclosing to me a copy of the proceedings of the Democratic meeting held at Harrisburg, Pa., in which 1 find myself nominated with 80 much honor for the Presidency, has been re- ceived. This evidence of the high and flattering re- gard of so many of my friends of the Keystone State is, I assure you, most feelingly appreciated. I beg you, as president of the meeting, to convey to the people of Harrisburg, as opportunity may offer, my sense of their kindness, and the assurance, that, though sincerely distrustful of my ability to fill with efficiency so exalted and important an office, it wilt be my strong and zealous endeavor, should the peo- ple decide to bestow it upon me, to serve them for the good of the country, and as shall be required by a strict respect for the constitution and the manifest wishes of the whole nation. I return you my thanks for the handsome and ac- ceptable manner in which, as president of the meet- ing, you have made known their proceedings to me. With many wishes for your prosperity in life, I remain, with high respect. Your obedient servant, Z. TAYLOR, Maj. Gen. U. S. A. Wm. Dock, Esq., President of a late meeting at Har- risburg, Pa. No. 9. TO HON. J. R. INGERSOLL. Headquarters Army of Occupation, Camp near Monterey, Mexico, August 3d, 1847. Dear Sir: I have the pleasure to acknowledge the receipt of your esteemed letter of the 7th ult., which has just reached me, in which you say: " 1 had the honor of being called upon last evening to address a mass meeting of the Whigs of the city and county of Philadelphia. At that meeting, your name was frequently mentioned in connection with the office of Chief Magistrate. I stated to that meeting, as 1 had before stated in my place in the House of Representatives at Washington, that you were a VVhig, not indeed an ultra partisan Whig, but a U'hig in principle." All of which is entirely correct; and after the discussion which occurred in both Houses of Con- gress, at the last session, growing out of the capitu- lation of Monterey, in which discussion you thought proper to defend my conduct in regard to that trans- action, when assailed somewhat, if not entirely, ou parly grounds, I can hardly imagine how any one who was present and heard the speeches on that oc- casion, or read them after they were published, could well mistake the complexion of my politics. At the last Presidential canvass, it was well known to all with whom I mixed, Whigs and Democrats — for I had no concealments in the matter — that I was decidedly in favor of Mr. Clay's election, and would now prefer seeing him in that office to any individual in the Union. 1 must say I have no wish for the Presidency, and cannot consent to be exclusively the candidate of a party ; and if I am one at all, or to be so at the com- ing election, it must be borne in mmd that I have been, or will be so by others, without any agency of mine in the matter. Independent of my wishes, I greatly doubt my qualifications to discharge the du- ties properly, of an office which was filled and adorned by a Washington, a Jefferson, as well as several others of the purest, wisest and most accom- plished statesmen and patriots of this or any other age or country. I tremble at the thoughts of the undertaking. Yet, if the good people think proper to elevate me, at the proper time, to the highest of- fice in their gift, I will (eel bound to serve them, if not from inclination, from a principle of duty, and will do so honestly and faithfully to the best of my ability, in accordance with the principles of the con- stitution, as near as I can do so, as it was construed and acted on by our first Presidents ; two of whom, POLITICAL LETTERS. 11 at least, acted 30 conspicuous a part in framing and completing that instrument, as well as putting it in operation. But very many important changes have taken place at home and abroad, between now and the time for holding the election for our next Chief Magistrate — so much so, as to make it desirable for the general good, that some one with more experience in State affairs, should be elected as a candidate, than myself. And could he be elected,! will not say I would yield my pretensions, for I have not the vanity to believe I have any for that distinguished station ; but would acquiesce not only with pleasure in such an arrange- ment, but would rejoice that the republic has one citizen more worthy and better qualified than I am, to discharge the important duties appertaining to that position, and no doubt there are thousands. Be this as it may, if I ever occupy the White House, it must be by the spontaneous movement of the people without any action of mine in relation to it ; without pledges, other than I have previously stated ; a strict adherence to the provisions of the Constitution, so I could enter on the arduous and responsible duties appertaining to said office, untrammelled; so that I could be the President of the Country, and not of a Party. With considerations of great respect and esteem, I am your obedient servant, (Signed) Z. TAYLOR. To J. R. Ingersoll, Esq., Philadelphia. No. 10. TO DR. P. S. BRONSON, CHARLESTON. Headquarters Jlitny of Occttpation, Camp near Monterey, Jlugusl 10, 1847. Sir : Your letter of the 17lh ultimo, requesting of me an exposition of my views on the questions of national policy now at issue between the political parties of the United States, has duly reached me. I must take occasion to say, that many of my let- ters, addressed to gentlemen in the United States in answer to similar inquiries, have already been made public, and I had greatly hoped that all persons in- terested had, by this time, obtained from them a sufficiently accurate knowledge of my views and de- sires in relation to this subject. As it appears, how- ever, that such is not the case, I deem it proper, in reply to your letter, distinctly to repeat that I am not before the People of the United Slates as a candidate for the next Presidency. It is my great desire to return at the end of this xuar to the discharge of those pro- fessional duties and to the enjoyment of those domes- tic pursuits from which I was called at its com- mencement, and for which my tastes and education best fit me. 1 deem it but due to candor to state, at the same time, that if I were called to the Presidential chair, by the general voice of the people, without regard to their political differences, I should deem it my duty to accept the office. But while 1 freely avow my at- tachment to the administrative policy of cur early Presidents, I desire it to be understood that I cannot submit, even in thus accepting it, to the exaction of any other pledge, as to the course I should pursue, than that of discharging its functions to the best of my ability, and strictly in accordance with the re- quirements of the Constitution. I have thus given you the circumstances under which only 1 can be induced to accept the high and responsible office of President of the United States. I need hardly add, that I cannot in any case permit I myself to be brought before the people exclusively by any of the political parlies that now so unfortunately divide our country, as their candidate for this office. It affords me great pleasure, in conclusion, fully to concur with you in your high and just estimate of the virtues, both of head and heart, of the distinguish- ed citizens (Messrs. Clay, Webster, Adams, McDuf- fie and Calhoun) mentioned in your letter. / have never exercised the privilege of voting ; hut had I been called xipon at the last Presidential election to do so, I would most certainly have cast my vote for J\Ir. Clay. 1 am, sir, very respectfully, Z. TAYLOR, Major General U. S. Army. P. S. Brownson, M. D., Charleston, S. C. No. 11. TO COL. JOHN PICKELL. Headquarters Jirmy of Occupation, Camp near Monterey, Sept. 22d, 1847. Sir : I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the Resolutions adopted at the Whig Convention of the citizens of Baltimore, which were forwarded by you. My views in relation to the use of my name as a candidate for the Presidency, are evidently well known to the people of the country, and I therefore avail myself of the occasion, only to express my high appreciation of the honor conferred in the terms of the resolutions and the recommendations adopted by the Convention. Please make this known in suitable manner to the citizens forming the Convention, and accept the very best wishes of. Very respectfully. Your most ob't servant, Z. TAYLOR, Maj. Gen. U. S. Army. Col. Jno. Pickell, President, Sac. No. 12. TO WM. G. WOOD, ESQ., NEW YORK. Headquarters %lirmy of Occupation, Camp near Monterey, Sept. 23, 1847. Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of July 20th, enclosing to me the pro- ceedings of a meeting held by the Democratic Repub- lican Electors of New York City, for the purpose of nominating me for the Presidency. In return,! most respectfully and cordially tender to the citizens composing the meeting, my deep obli- gations for the high honor conferred upon me, in the Resolutions they have adopted. In regard to the signification of my approval of the spirit of the Resolutions, I have respectfully to say, that agreeably to the spirit and intention of the course which I have thought it advisable to adopt, ! do not feel myself at liberty to express any sentiment hav- ing the nature of a pledge to any political party. ! have the honor to remain, with high respect, your most obedient servant, Z. TAYLOR, Major General U. S. Army. Wm. G. Wood, Esq., President Democratic Re- publican Meeting in the City of New York, N. Y. No. 13. TO GEN. P. S. SMITH. Headquarters %9rmy of Occupation, Camp near Monterey, Mexico, Sept. 28, 1847. Sir : Your letter, under date of the IGth of March, 12 POLITICAL LETTERS. has been duly received. To the inquiry, as to whether I am disposed to accept the nomination of President of the United St;ites, if tendered to me from the National Native American Convention, I would most respectfully reply, and with full appre- ciation of the kind feeling which dictated the men- tion of my name in connexion with the dignity and lionor of so high an office, that, even if an aspirant for the Presidential office, (which is not the case,) I oould not, while the country is involved in war, and while my duty calls me to take part in the operations against the enemy, acknowledge any ambition be- yond that of bestowing all my best exertions to- wards obtaining an adjustment of our difficulties with Mexico. I have the honor to be, dear sir, Your most ob't servant, Z. TAYLOR, Maj. Gen. U. S. Army. Peter Ske.v Smith, Esq., Philadelphia, Pa. No. 14. TO HON. ANDREW STEWART. Headquarters Army of Occupntion, Brazos Island, Texas, A'b«. 25, 1847. Dear Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of the 8th of October, convey- ing to me a copy of the proceedings of a meeting of my Whig friends at Waynesburgh, Pa. I have read the resolutions adopted by the meeting with great piide and pleasure, and I beg you to con- vey to the members of the meeting, on a suitable oc- casion, my thanks for the distinguished honor they have so flatteringly bestowed upon me, and my as- surance that I have no wish or intention of changing the position in which I stand towards the people of the country in relation to the Presidency, or the course which I have felt it my duty to pursue. My thanks are due to you for the copy of your let- ter to the Hon. Mr. Seaman, of New York. (Ad- dressed to the New York Mirror.) I remain, dear sir, with high respect. Your most obedient servant, Z. TAYLOR, Com. Maj. Gen. U. S. A. To Hon. Andrew Stewart. No. 15. TO HENRY A. MUHLENBURG, ESQ. Headquarters Jinny of Occupation, Brazos Island, Texas, Js'ov. 25, 1647. Dear Sir : I take great pleasure in acknowledging the receipt of your favor of the 9lh October, enclosing to me a copy of the proceedings of the Democratic Taylor State Convention, which assembled at Har- risburg, Pa. The resolutions of the meeting have given me great pleasure and satisfaction, as the expression of high respect and consideration from the people of Pennsylvania; and I embrace the earliest moment to acknowledge my warm appreciation of the high honor thus bestowed upon me, by their nomination of me for the Presidency. To yourself, I would not fail to express my thank- fulness for the very courteous and acceptable man- ner in which you have conveyed to me the proceed- ings of the Convention. 1 remain, dear sir, with high respect, Your most obedient servant, Z. TAYLOR, Maj. Gen. U. S. Army. Henry A. Muhlenburg, Esq., President Taylor State Convention, Reading, Pa. No. 16. TO THE CITIZENS OF PHILADELPHIA. Baton Rouge, La., Dec. 30, 1847. Gentlemen: Yoiu" polite communication of the 17th inst., in which 1 am kindly invited to participate with you in your celebration of the approaching an- niversary of the victory of New Orleans, did not reach me until this morning. Although now quite too late for me to reach your city by the appointed time, I deem it proper to stale , that had your letter reached me at an earlier date, I should yet, I regret to say, have been unable to ac- cept your kind invitation. Private matters of much importance to me, and the fact that my professional services are at any moment at the disposal of the government, render it necessary and proper that, during my short leave of absence from duty, I should remain in this vicinity. Be pleased, therefore, gen- tlemen, to convey to ray fellow citizens of Philadel- phia, my sincere acknowledgments for this unde- served evidence of tiieir kind consideration, and my great regrets that 1 am unable to make these acknow- ledgments to them in person, as 1 am thus compelled to forego the pleasure of meeting you on this inter- esting occasion. 1 beg that you will accept, in my stead, the follow- ing sentiment: " The City of Philadelphia — The devoted patriotism of her citizens illuminates the brightest pages of our national history." For yourselves, gentlemen, be pleased to accept the assurances of my esteem, and believe me to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant. Z. TAYLOR, Maj. Gen. U. S. Army. No. 17. TO THE CITIZENS OF MONTGOMERY. Baton Rouge, La., Jan. 23, 1848. Gentlemen: Your complimentary communica- tion of the 10th inst, enclosing to me a copy of the preamble and resolut ons adopted on the Slh inst., by a public meeting of my fellow-citizens, without distinction of party, in Montgomery, Alabama, has been received. For the high honor which they have been pleased to confer upon me by thus nominating me for the Presidency of the United States, and for the very kind language in which they have seen fit to notice my past life and services, I beg you, as their repre- sentatives, to accept my profound' acknowledgments, and to assure my fellow-citizens who composed this meeting that I shall offer no active opposition to the use of vuj name in coniiection with this responsible office, us long as they continue to use it thus independent (f parly distinctions. I am, gentlemen, with high respect, your obedient servant, Z. TAYLOR. Messrs. Wm. M. Murphy, M. Harris, A. F. Hop- kins, and others, Montgomery, Alabama. No. 18. TO GOV. OWSLEY, OF KENTUCKY. Baton Rovguc, La., Jan. 24, 1848. Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency's letter of the 12tii inst. enclosing to me a copy of the preamble and resolutions adopted by the Legislature of Kentucky, in which they have been pleased to invite me to visit that body during its present session. POLITICAL LETTERS. 1?. I beg to assure you that this high evidence of the kind r.'gard which exists toward me among my fel- low-citizens of Kentucity, has been received l)y me with emotions of the liveliest gratitude ; and I have to request that you will convey to them, through this distinguished body, my profound acknowledgments for so unmerited an honor. • A just sense of my obligations to your patriotic State, and a recollection of the many old friends and acquaintances that I have among you, strongly urge me to yield to the flattering request contained in the resolutions before me ; but I regret to mform you that the circumstances under which my present leave of absence was obtained render it so clearly proper, in my opinion, that 1 should remain in or near this place imtil I am again required for duty, that 1 am constrained to forego this |)leasure. With my best wishes for your health and success through life, I have the honor to be, with great re- spect, your Excellency's obedient servant, Z. TAYLOR. To His Excellency, Wm. Owsley, Governor of Kentucky, Frankfort, Ky. No. 19. TO GEN. PETER SKEN SMITH. Baton Rouge, La., Jan. 30, 1848. Sir : Your communication of the 17th instant has been received, and the suggestions therein offered duly considered. In reply to your inquiries, I have again to repeat that I have neither the power nor the desire to dic- tate to the American people the exact manner in which they should proceed to nominate me for the Presidency of the United States. If they desire such % result, they must adopt the means best suited, in their opinion, to the consummation of the purpose; and if they think fit to bring me before them for this office, through their legislatures, mass meetings or conventions, I cannot object to their designating these bodies as whig, democratic or native. But in being thus nominated, I must insist on the condition, and my position on this point is immutable — that I shall not be brought forward by them as the candi- date of their party doctrines. In conclusion, I have to repeat, that if I were nominated for the Presidency, by any body of my fgllow-citizens, designated by any name they might choose to adopt, 1 should esteem it an honor, and would accept such nomination; provided it had been made entirely independent of party consideration. 1 am, sir, very respectfully, Your obedient servant, Z. TAYLOR. Peter Sken Smith, Esq., Philadelphia. No. 20. TO COL. A. M. MITCHELL, CINCINNATI. Baton Rouge, La., Feb. 12, 1848. My Dear Colonel: Your very kind communica- tion, and the accompanying newspaper, have duly reached me. In reply to the closing remarks of your letter, I have no hesitation in stating, as I have stated on for- mer occasions, that 1 am a Whig, though not an ultra one; and that I have no desire to conceal this fact from any portion of the people of the United States. I deem it but candid, however, to add, that if the I Whig party desire at the next Presidential election, I to cast their votes for me, they must do so on their own responsibility, and without any pjej^es from me. Should I be elected to that office, I should deem it to be my duty, and should most eert;iiiily clami the right, to look to the Constitution and the high inter- ests of our common country, and not to the princi- ples of a party for my rule of action. With my sincerest thunks for your expressions of friendship, and my best wishes for your success through life, I remain, very truly, your friend and obedient servant, Z. TAYLOR. Col. A. M. Mitchell, Cincinnati, Ohio. No.21. TO THE CITIZENS OF ADAMS COUNTY, ILL. Baton Rouge, La., Feb. 28, 1848. Gentlemen: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of the 18th of January, enclosing a preamble and resolution adopt- ed at a late meeting of the citizens o4' Adams county, Illinois. To you, gentlemen, as the comnaittee appointed by the meeting, 1 have respectfully to reply, that I can- not feel that 1 am permitted at this time to respond to your inquiry in other terms than those which as- sert the obligation of all who hold military authority in any country, to put their shoulders to the wheel and do all they can to bring aboiU a speedy peace. These expressions, I trust, will be deemed suffi- cient for declining to express my opinions in regard to the justness and propriety of the war in which the country is engaged. I am, gentlemen, with great respect, your most obedient servant, Z. TAYLOR. No. 22. TAYLOR A MAN OF PEACE. Extract from a letter datedat Baton Rouge, March 4, 1843. " To your concluding inquiry, I need hardly reply that 1 am a Peace Man, and that I deem a state of Peace to be absolutely necessary to the proper and healthful action of our republican institutions. On this important topic I freely confess myself to be the unqualified advocate of the principles so often laid down by the Father of his Country, and so urgently recommended by him in his Farewell Address to the American people. Indeed 1 think 1 may say that no man can feel a more complete faith than I do in the wisdom of his advice, when he urged on us the pro- priety of always standing on ' our own soil.'" — ^Ib. Ev. Jour. No. 23. TO A GENTLEMAN IN IOWA. The following extract of a letter from Gen. Taylor, loas written on the 12th of^pril, and addressed to a gentle' man of Iowa: " I now consider myself in the hands of the people — a portion of whom, at least, have placed my name before the country, for the office in question, and who alone are authorised to withdraw it from the canvass ; which they ought to do, provided they cin find any other who would be more available, and better qualified to serve them, and cast their votes for him at the proper time. And should they suc- ceed in electing him, I shall neither be disappointed nor mortified at the result; on the contrary, if he is honest, truthful and patriotic, I will rejoice at the 14 POLITICAL LETTERS. No. 24. TO THE RICHMOND REPUBLICAN. Baton Rouge, La., .ipril 20, 1848. Dear Sir: Your letter of the ]Oth inst., which al- ludes to certain statements that have recently been made in some of the papers at the North, and which submits several inquiries for my consideration, has been received. To your inquiries I have respectfully to reply : First.— That, if nominated by the Whig National Conventioti, I shall not refuse acceptance, provided I am left free of ail pledges, and permitted to main- tain the position of independence of ail parties in which the people and my own sense of duty have placed me; otherwise, I shall refuse the nomination of any convenlionor party. Secondly. — I do not design to withdraw my name if Mr. Clay be the nominee of the Whig National Convention ; and in tiiis connexion, I beg permission to remark that the statements which have been so positively made in some of the Northern prints, to liie effect "that should Mr. Clay be the nominee of the Whig National Convention," I had stated "that I would not suffer my name to be used," are not cor- rect, and have no foundation in any oral or written remark of mine. It has not been my intention, at any moment, to change my position, or to withdraw my name from the canvass, whoever may be the nominee of the National Convention, either of the Whig or Dsmocratic party. Thirdly. — I have never stated to any one that I was in favor of the Tariff of '46— of the Sub-Trea- sury, nor that I originated the war with Mexico. Nor, finally, that I should, (if elected) select my cabinet from both parties. No such admissions or statements were made by me, at any time, to any person. Permit me, however, to add, that should such high distinction be conferred upon me as that of elevation to the Executive office, the constitution, in a strict and honest interpretation, and in the spirit and mode in xvhich it was acted upon by the earlier Presidents, would be my chief guide. In this, I conceive to be all that is necessary iti the way of pledges. The election of another candidate would occasion no mortification to me, but to such a result, as the will of the people, 1 should willingly and calmly sub- mit. As I have had no ambition to serve, but in the desire to serve the country, it would bring to me no disappointment. With sentiments of high respect and regard, I re- main your most obedient servant, Z. TAYLOR. O. P. B.^LDwiN, Esq., or Ro. H. Gallagher, Edi- tor of Richmond Republican, Richmond, Va. No 25. TO CAPT. J. S. ALLISON. Baton Rouge, .Qpril 22, 1848. Dear Sir: My opinions have so often been mis- conceived and misrepresented, that I deem it due to myself, if not to my friends, to make a brief exposi- t ion of them upon the topics to which you have called my attention. 1 have consented to the use of my name as a can- didate for tlie Presidency. I have frankly avowed my own distrust of my fitness for that high station ; but having, at the solicitation of many of my coun- trymen, taken my position as a candidate, 1 do not feel at liberty to surrender that position until my friends manifest a wish that 1 should retire from it. I will then most gladly do so. I have no private purposes to accomplish, no party projects to build up, no enemies to punish — nothing to serve but my country. I have been very often addressed by letter, and my opinions have been asked upon almost every ques- tion that might occur to the writers as affecting the interest of their country or their party. I have not always responded to these inquiries, for various reasons. 1 confess, whilst I have great cardinal principles which will regulate my political life, I am not suffi- ciently familiar with all the minute details of politi- cal legislation to give solemn pledges to exert myself to carry out this or defeat that measure. I have no concealment. I hold no opinion which I would not readily proclaim to my assembled countrymen; but crude impressions upon matters of policy, which may be right to-day and wrong to-morrow, are, perhaps, not the best test of fitness for office. One who can- not be trusted without pledges, cannot be confided in merely on account of them. I will proceed, however, now to respond to your inquiries. First. — I reiterate what I have so often said — I am a Whig— but not an ultra Whig. If elected, I would not be the mere President of a party. 1 would endeavor to act independent of party domina- tion. I should feel bound to administer the govern- ment untrammelled by party schemes. Second. — The veto power. The power given by the Constitution to the Executive to interpose his veto, is a high conservative power; but in my opin- ion should never be exercised except in cases of clear violation of the Constitution, or manifest haste and want of consideration by Congress. Indeed, I have thought that for many years past the known opinions and wishes of the Executive have exercised undue and injurious influence upon the legislative department of the government; and for this cause 1 have thought our system was in danger of undergoing a great change from its true theory. Tlie personal opinions of the individual icho may happen to occupy the Executiae chair, ought not to control the action of Con- gress upon questions of domestic policy ; nor ought his ob- jections to he interposed where questions of constitutional poicer have been settled by the various departments of go- vernment, and acquiesced in by the people. Third. — Upon the subject of the tariff, the curren- cy, the improvement of our great highways, rivers, lakes and fiarbors, the will of the people, as express- ed through their representatives in Congress, ought to he respected and carried out by the Executive. Fourth. — The Mexican war. 1 sincerely rejoice at the prospect of peace. My life has been devoted to arms, yet I look upon war at all times, and under all circumstances, as a national calamity, to be avoid- ed if compatible with the national honor. The prin- ciples of our government, as well as its trne policy is opposed to the subjugation of other nations and the dismemberment of other countries by conquest. In the language of the great Washington, " Why should wc quit our own to stand on foreign ground." In the Mexican war our national honor has been vindi- cated ; and in dictating terms of peace we may well afford to be forbearing and even magnanimous to a fallen foe. These arc my opinions upon the subjects referred to by you, and any reports or publications, written or verbal, from any source, differing in any essential particular from what is here written, are unauthor- ized and untrue. MILITARY. IS I do not know that I-shall again write upon the subject of national politics. I shall engage in no schemes, no combi«iations, no intrigues. If the Atnerican people have not confidence in me, they ought not to give me their suffrages. If thuy do not, you know me well enough to believe me, when I de- clare I shall be content. 1 am too old a soldier to murmur against such high authority. Z. TAYLOR. To Capt. J. S. Allison. No. 26. TO BRANTZ MAYER, ESQ. Baton Rouge, La., May 1, 1848. Dear Sir : I have by this day's mail received a copy (duplicate) of your letter of March 21, with an enclosed copy of the proceedings of a meeting held by the citizens of Baltimore who are friendly to my election to the Presidency. The political sentiments embraced in the pream- ble and resolutions adopted at that meeting, I rejoice to say, meet with my cordial approval and assent. No movements in any part of the country, having the object to offer testimonials of honor and respect towards myself, or to advocate my election to the Presidency, have caused in me more lively pleasure, or demand more my gratitude. You will please do me tlie favor to make known my acknowledgments to the citizens of Baltimore for the unexpected and unmeritei honors they have conferred upon me, in such manner and terms as you may deem most proper. They are obligations which, should the irotes of the country be cast in my favor, it will most surely be my endeavor to redeem to themselves and to all the people of our country. I must be permitted to add, that, as they have, with so much confidence placed my name in nomina- tion before the country on their own responsibility, free from party action and the exaction of pledges from myself. I shall serve ihem strictly as a constitu- tional and not as a party President (in the event al- ready aUuded to) — and as my ability will permit. Please accept my thanks for the kind sentiments you have, in forwarding the proceedings of the meet- ing, been pleased to express to me. With sentiments of cordial respect and regard, Your most obedient servant, Z. TAYLOR. Brantz Mayer, E=q., Secretary Public Meeting in Baltimore. CAPT. Z.\CHARY TAYLOR AT THE SIEGE OF FORT HARRISON IN 1812. Extract of a letter fi-om Capt. Zachai~y Taylor , commanil- ing Fort Harrison, Indiana Teiritory, to Gov. Harri- son, dated Fort Harrison, Sept. 10, 1812. Dear Sir : As I had not been able to mount a guard of more than six privates and two non-commissioned officers for some lime past, and sometimes part of them every other day, from the unhealthiness of the company, I had not conceived my force adequate to the defence of this post, should it be vigorously at- tacked. As I had just recovered from a severe at- tack of the fever, I was not able to keep up much through the night. After tattoo I cautioned the guard to be vigilant, and ordered one of the non-commis- sioned officers (as the sentinels could not see every part of the garrison,) to walk around the inside during the whole of the night, to prevent the Indians taking any advantage of us, provided they had any idea of attacking us. About 11 o'clock, 1 was awakened by the firing of one of the sentinels. 1 sprang up, ran out, and ordered the men to their posts, when my orderly serjeant, who had charge of the upper block house, called out that the Indians had fired the lower block house, which contained the property of the contractor, deposited in the lower part, the upper part having been assigned to a cor- poral and ten privates as an alarm post. The guns had begun to fire pretty smartly from both sides. 1 directed the buckets to be got ready, and water brought from the well, and the fire extinguished im- mediately, as it was hardly perceivable at that time. " But from debility, or some other cause, the men were very slow in executing my orders. The word fire I appeared to throw the whole of them into confusion; .and by the time they had got the water and broken open the door, the fire had unfortunately communi- cated to a quantity of whiskey, the stock having licked several holes through the lower part of the building, after; the salt which was stored there, through which the Indians had introduced the fire, without being discovered, as the night was very dark; and in spite of every exertion we could make use of, in less than a moment it ascended to the roof, and bafiled every effort to extinguish it. As that block house adjoined the barracks that made part of the fortifications, most of the men gave themselves up for lost, and I had the greatest difficulty in getting any of my orders executed. And, sir, what from the raging of the fire, the yelling and howling of several hundred Indians, the cries of nine women and children, (a part soldiers' and a part citizens' wives, who had taken shelter in the fort,) and the despond- ing of so many men, which was worse than all, I can assure you that my feelings were very unplea- sant; and in fact there were not more than ten or fifteen men able to do a great deal, the others being either sick or convalescent; and to add to our other misfortunes, two of the stoutest men in the fort, that I had every confidence in, jumped the pickets and left us. But my presence of mind did not for a mo- ment forsake me. I saw that by throwing off a part of the roof that joined the block house which was on fire, and keeping this end perfectly wet, that the whole row of buildings might be saved, and leave only an entrance of l6 or 20 feet for the Indians, af- ter the house was consumed, and that a temporiry breastwork might be erected to prevent their even entering there. I convinced the men that this could be accomplished, and it appeared to inspire them 16 MILITARY. with new life, and never did men act with more firmness and desperation. Those that were able, (while the others kept up a constant fire from the other block house and the two bastions,) mounted the roofs of the houses, with Dr. Clark at their head, (who acted with the greatest firmness and presence of mind while the attack lasted, which was seven hours,) under a shower of bullets, and in less than a moment threw ofl'as much of the roof as was neces- sary. This was done with the loss of only one man, and two wounded, and I am in hopes neither of them dangerously. The man that was killed was a little deranged, and did not get ofi'the house as soon as di- rected or he would not have been hurt. Although the barracks were several times in a blaze, and an immense quantity of fire against them, the men used such exertions that they kept it under, and before day raised temporory breastworks as high as a man's head. The Indians continued to pour in a heavy fire of ball, and an innumerable quantity of arrows, during the time the attack lasted, in every part of the parade. 1 had but one other man killed, (nor any other wounded inside the fort,) and he lost his life by being too anxious. He got into one of the gallies in the bastion, and fired over the pickets, and called out to his comrades that he had killed an In- dian, and neglecting to stoop down, in an instant was shot dead. After keeping up a constant fire till 6 o'clock next morning, which we began to return with some effect after daylight, they removed out of the reach of our guns. The Indians suffered smartly, but were so numerous as to take off all that were shot. They continued with us until the next morn- ing, but made no further attempts on the fort, nor have we seen any mpre of them since. We lost the whole of our provisions, but must make out to live on green corn until we can get a supply, which I hope will not be long. If you carry on the expedition against the Prophet this fall, you ought to be well provided with every thing, as you may calculate on having every inch of ground disputed, between this and there, that they can defend with advantage. Fort Harrison, Sept. 13th, 1812. Dear Sir : I wrote you on the 10th inst., giving you an account of the attack on this place, as well as of ray situation, which account I attempted to send by water, but the two men that I dispatched in a canoe after night found the river so well guarded that they were obliged to return. The Indians had built a fire on the bank of the river, a short distance below the garrison, which gave them an opportunity of seeing any craft that might attempt to pass, and were wait- ing with a canoe ready to intercept it. I expect the fort, as well as the road to Vincennes, is as well or better watched than the river; * # * but my situation compels me to make one other at- tempt by land, and my orderly sergeant with one other man, set out with strict orders to avoid the road in the day time, and depend entirely on the •woods ; although neither of them have ever been to Vincennes by land, nor do they know any thing of the country; but I am in hopes they will reach you in safety. I send them with great reluctance from their ignorance of the woods. I think that it is very probable there is a large body of Indians waylaying the road between this and Vincennes, likely about the Narrows, for the purpose of intercepting any party that may be coming to this place, as the cattle they got here will supply them with provisions for some time to come. Please, Stc, Z. TAYLOR. His Excellency, Gov. Harrison. The paper containing the above letter has the fol- lowing paragraph: "In addition to the above account of the gallant defence of Fort Harrison, from an attack of a party of Indians, perhaps ten times their number, we have pleasure in stating that there is every reason to be- lieve that the Post was relieved before the Indiana could reassemble to attack it. On Thursday even- ing, the 10th, Col. William Kuasell arrived at Vin- cennes from Illinois, with about 600 mounted Ran^ gers and 500 Infantry, with which he marched on the 113th, to succour Fort Harrison. On the 13th he encamped within 35 miles of the Fort, which he ex- pected to reach on the 16th."' The attack on the Fort was on the night of Sep- tember 4. Battle of Okee-Cho-Bee. Headquarter<;, 1st Brigade, J .flrmy South of the If'ithlacoochee, > Fort Gardner, Jan. 4, 1838. ) Sir : — On the 19th ultimo I received at this place a communication from Major General Jessup, in- forming me that all hopes of bringing the war to a close by negotiation, through the interference or mediation of the Cherokee delegation, were at an end, Sam Jones, with the Mickasukies, having de- termined to fight it out to the last ; and directing me to proceed with the least possibJe delay against any portion of the enemy I might hear of within strik- ing distance, and to destroy or capture them. After leaving two officers and an adequate force for the protection of my depot, I marched the next morning with twelve days' rations (my means of transportation not enabling me to carry more), with the balance of my command, consisting of Captain Munroe's company of the 4th artillery, total thirty- five men ; the 1st infantry, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Davenport, one hundred and ninety-seven strong; the 4th infantry under the com- mand of Lieutenant Colonel Foster, two hundred and seventy-four ; the 6th infantry, under Lieutenant Colonel Thompson, two hundred and twenty-one ; the Missouri volunteers, one hundred and eighty ; Morgan's spies, forty-seven ; pioneers, thirty ; pon- toneers, thirteen ; and seventy Delaware Indians; making a force, exclusive of officers, of 1032 men ; the greater part of the Shawnees having been de- tached, and the balance refusing to accompany me, under the pretext that a number of them were sick, and the remainder were without moccasins. J moved down the west side of the Kissimmee, in a south-easterly course, towards Lake Istopoga, for. the following reasons : First, because I knew that a portion of the hostiles were to be found in that di- rection ; second, if General Jessup should fall in with the Mickasukies and drive them, they might at- tempt to elude him by crossing the Kissimmee from the east to the west side of the peninsula, between this and its entrance into Okee Chobec, in which case I might be near athand to intercept them} third, to overawe and induce such of the enemy who had been making propositions to give themselves up, and who appeared very slow, if not to hesitate, in com- MILITARY. 17 plying wilh their promises on that head, to surren- der at once; and lastly, I deemed it advi.sul)le to erect blonk-Iiouses, and a small picket woric on the Kis- simmee, lor a tiiird dcpol, soukj forty or fifty miles below tills, and obtain a knovviedi^e of the inlerveii- ing country, as I had no guide who could be relied on, and by tbis means open a communication with Col. Smith, who was operating up the Calooseliat- chee, orSanybel lliver, under my orders. Lalo in the evenitig of the lirst day's march, I met the Indian chief, Juuifier, wilh his family, and a (larl ing, and where I encamped. About 11 p. m. the old Indian returned, bririging a very equivocal mes- sage from Alligator, whom, iie stated hchadmeiac- cjdentally. Also, that the Miclfasukics were still encamped where they had been lor some days, and where they were determined to tight us. I determined at once on indulging Ihem as soon as soon as practicable. Accordingly, the next morri- ing, after laying out a small stockade work for the protection of a future depot, in order to enable n»e to move with the greatest celerity, 1 deposited the of his band, consisting of tifleen men, a [lait of Ihein whole of my heavy baggage, including artillery, &c., wilh families, and a few negroes — in all, sixty-three souls — on his way to give himself up, in conformity to a previous arrangement I had cnlered into with him. They were conducted by Captain Parks, and a few Shawnee.?. He (Parks) is an active and in- telligent half-breed, who is at the head of the friend- ly Indians, both Shawnees and Uelawares, and whom 1 had employed lo arrange and bring in .lump- er, and as many of his people as he could prevail on to come in. We encauiped that night near the same spot; and the next, morning, having ordered Capt. Parks to join me, and take command of the Dela- wares, and having despatched Jumper in charge of some Shavk'nees to thi-i place, and so on lo Fori Fra- zier, 1 continued my march, after having sent for- ward three friendly Seminoles to gain intelligence as to the position of the enemy. About noon on the same day, I sent forward one battalion of Gentry's regiment under command of Lieut. Col. Price, to pick up any stragglers that might fall in his way ; to encamp two or three miles in advance of the main force ; to act with great cir- cumspection, and to communicate promptly any oc- currence that might take place in this vicinity im- portant for me to know. About 10 o'clock, p. m., I received a note from the colonel, stating that the three Seminoles sent forward in the morning had re- turned; that they had been at or \vhere Alligator liad encamped, twelve or fifteen miles in his ad- vance ; tliat he (Alligator) had left tlierc wilh a part of his family four days before, under tiie pretext of separating his relations, &c., from llie Mickasukies, preparatory to his surrendering wilh them; that there were several families remaining at the camp referred to, who wished to give themselves up, and would remain there until we took possession of them md having provisioned the command, to include the 2Gth, and leaving Capl. Munroe wilh his company, the pioneer, pontoneers, with eighty-five sick and disabled infantry, and a portion of the friendly Indi- ans, who alleged that they were unable lo march further, crossed the Kissimmee, taking the old Indi- an as a guide who had been captured the day before, and who accompanied us wilh great apparent reluc- tance in pursuilof the enemy, and early the next day reached Alligator's encampment, siiluated on the ed2,e of Cabbage-tree hammock, in the midst of a large prairie; from the appearance of which, and other encampments in the vicinity, and the many evidences of slaughtered cattle, there musf have been several liundred individuals. At another small hammock at no great distance from Alligator's encampment, and surrounded by a swamp, impassible for mounled men, the spies sur- prised an encampment containing one old man, four young men, and some women and children. One of the party immediately raised a white Hag, when the men were taken possession of and brought across the swamp to the main bocfy. 1 proceeded wilh an interpreter to meet them. They proved to be Semi- noles, and professed to be friendly. They slated that they were preparing to come in ; they had just slaughleied a number of cattle, and were employed in drying and jerking the same. They also inform- ed me that the Mickasukies, headed by A-vi-a-ka (Sam Jones), was some ten or twelve mi'es distani, encamped in a swamp, and were prepared to fighl. Although I placed but little ronfidence in their professions of friendship, or their intentions of com- ing in, yet I had no lime to look up their women and children, who had fied and concealed themselves in the swamp, or to have encumbered myself with unless ilicy were forcibly carried off that night by them in the situation in which I then was. the Mickasukies, who were encamped at no great distance from them. In consequence of this intelligence, after directing Lieut. Col. Davenport to follow me early in the morning with the infantry, a little after midnight I put myself at the head of the residue of the mounted men, joined Lieut. Col. Price, proceeded on, crossing Islopoga outlet, and soon after diiylight took posses- sion of the encampment referred to, where 1 foimd the inmates, who had not been disturbed. They consisted of an old man and two young ones, and 8eyera.l women and children, amounting in all to twenty-two individuals. The old man informed me that Alligator was very anxious lo separate his peo- ple from the Mickasukies, who were encamped on the opposite side of the Kissimee, distant about twenty miles, where they would fighl us. 1 sent him to Alligator, to say to him, if he was sincere in his professions, to meet me the next day at the Kissem- mee, where the trail 1 was marching on crossed, and where I should halt. As soon as the infantry came up, I moved on to the place designated, which I reached late that even- Accordingly, I released the old man, who promis- ed that he would collect all Ihe women and children, and lake them in lo Captain Munroe, at the Kissim- mee, the next day. I also dismissed ihe old man who had acted as guide thus fur, supplying his place wilh the four able warriors who had been captured that morning, 'I'hese arrangements being made, I moved untler their guidance for ihe camp oJ the Mickasukies. Be- tween two and three p. in. we reached a very dense cypress swamp, through which we were compelled to pass, and in which our guides informed «s we might be attacked. After making the necessary dis- positions for battle, it was ascertained that there was no enemy to oppose us. The army passed over and encamped for Ihe night, it being late. During the passage of the rear. Captain Parks, who was in ad- vance with a few friendly Indians, fell in with two of the enemy's spies, between two or three m iles ok our camp — one on horseback, the other on foe I — and succeeded in capturing the latter. He was v i active young warrior, armed with an excellent rj de, fil'.y bails in his pouch, and an adequate propi jrtion o! 18 MILITARr, powder. Tliis Indian codfirnied the information I not only stood firm, but continued to advance until which had previously been received from the other j their galJant commander, Lieut. Col. Thompson, Indians, and m addition, slated that a lar^e body of | and his adjutant, Lieut. Center, were killed ; and the Semmoles, headed by John Cohua, Co-a-coo- , every officer, with one exception, as well as most of chee, and, no doubt, Alligator, with other chiefs, j the non-commissioned officers, including; the ser- were encamped five or six miles from us, near the Mickasukies, with a cypress swamp and den.se ham- mock between them and ilie latter. The army moved forward at daylight the nest morning, and, after marchuig five or six miles, reached the camp of the Seininoles on the borders of another cypress swamp, which must have contain- ed several hundred, and bore evident traces of hav- ing been abandoned in a great hurry, as the fires were still burning, and quantities of beef lying on the ground unconsumed. Here the troops were again disposed of in order of battle, but we found no enemy to oppose us, and tlie command was crossed over about 11 a. in., when we entered a large prairie in our front, on which two or three hundred head of cattle were grazing, and a number of Indian ponies. Here another young Indian warrior was captured, armed and equipped as the former. He pointed out a dense geant-major and four of the orderly sergeants, killed and u'ouniled of those companies ; when that portion of Ihe legiment retired to a short distance and were again formed, one of these companies having but four members left untouched. Lieut. Col. Foster, with six companies, amount- ing in all to one hundred and sixty men, gained the hammock in good order, where he was joined bv Caplain Noel, with the two remaining companies of the Gth infantry, and Capt. Gillam, of Gentry's vol- unteers, with a few additional men, and continued to drive the enemy for a considerable time, and by a change of front separated his line, and continued to drive him until he reached the great lake Okee Chobee, which was in the rear of the enemy's posi- tion, and on which their encampment extended for more than a mile. As soon as I was informed that Caplain Allen was advancing, I ordered the first in- fantry to move to tiie left, gain the enemy's right hammockonourright, about a mile distant, in which j flank and turn it, which order was executed in the to f roniptest manner possible ; and as soon as that regi- ment got in position, the enemy gave one fire and retreated ; being pursued by the Ist, 4th, and 6th, and some of the volunteers who had joined them, until near night, and until these troops were nearly exhausted, and the enemy driven in all directions. The action was a severe one, and continued from half past twelve until three p. m., a part of the time very close and severe. V\ e suffered much, having twenty-six killed and one hundred and twelve »vounded, among whom are some of our most valua- ble officers. The hostiles probably suffered, all things considered, equally with ourselves, they hav- ing left ten dead on the ground, besides, doubtless, carrjing off many more, as is cuslomery with thera when practicable. As soon as the enemy were completely broken, I turned my attention to taking care of the wounded, to facilitate their removal to my baggage, where I ordered an encampment to be formed; I directed Captain Taylor to cross over to the spot, and employ every individual whom he might find there in con- strucling a small footway across the swamp; this with great exertions, was completed in a short time after dark, when all the dead and wounded were carried over in litters made for that purpose, with one exception, a private of the 4th infantry, who was killed and could not be found. And here, I trust I may be permited to say that i experienced one of the most trj ing scenes of my life, and he who could have looked on it with inditlerence, his nerves must have been very diH'ereiitly organized from my own ; besides the killed, there lay one hun- dred and twelve wounded olTicers anti soldiers, who had accompanied me one hundred and forty-five miles, most of the 'way through an unexplored wil- derness, without guides, who had so gallantly beaten the enemy, under my orders, in his strongest position, and who had to be conveyed through swamps and hammocks, from whence we set out, without any ap- parent means of doing so. This service, however, was encountered and overcome, and they have been conveyed thus far, and proceeded on to Tampa Bay, on rude litters, constructed with the axe and knife alone, with poles and dry hides — the latter being found in great abundance at the encampment of the hostiles. The litters were conveyed on the backs of he said the hostiles were situated and waiting give us battle. At this place the final disposition was made to at- tack them, which was in two lines; the volunteers under Gentry, and Morgan's spies, to form the first line in extended order, who were instructed to enter the hammock, and, in the event of being attacked and hard pressed, were to fall back ir. the rear of the regular troops, out of reach of the enemy's fire ; the second line was composed of the 4lh and f.th infan- try, who were instructed to sustain the volunteers, the 1st infantry being held in reserve. Moving on in the direction of the hammock, after proceeding about a quarter of a mile, we reached the swamp which separated us from the enemv, three-quarters of a mile in breadth, being totally im- passable for horse, and nearly so for foot, covered with a thick growth of saw-grass five feet high, about knee deep in mud and water, which extended to the left as fur as the eye could reach, and to the right to a part of the swamp and hammock we had just crossed, through which ran a deep creek. At the edge of the swamp all the men were dismounted, and the horses and baggage lelt under a suitable guard. Cajilain Allen was detached with the two companies uf mounted infantry to examine the swamp and hammock to the right; and, in case he should not find the enemy in that direction, was to return to the baggage, and, in the event of his hear- inga heavy firing, was immediately to join in'e. After making these arrangements, I crossed the swamp in the order slated. On reaching the bor- ders of the hammock, the volunteers and spies receiv- ed a heavy fire IVoih the enemy, which was returned by them for a short time, when their gallant com- mander. Colonel Gentry, fell, niortalJy wounded. — They mostly broke, and instead of forming in ttie rear of the regulars, as had been directed, they re- tired across the swa.r the main depot of the army, will be known as '•Fort Polk." The commanding general takes this occasion to i-xpress his satisfaction with the dispositions made lor the defence and protection of this point, so vital- ly important to the etficiency and security of the ;irmy. To Major Munroe, the commanding officer, <'api. Sanders, of the engineers. Majors Thomas and McRee, and Captains Sibley and Hill of the qnai-ter- master's department, Capt. Ramsey, of the ordnance, and Lieutenant Montgomery, of the subsistence de- partments, credit is especially due for their zeal and activity. The general returns his thanks to the nu- merous citizens who volunteered their services in the defence of the depot. Their assistance added ma- terially to its strength and his confidence in its abili- ty to resist an attack. The reinforcements from the brig " Lawrence," under Lieut. Renshaw, and the large force of seamen and marines so promptly fur- nished by the squadron on its arrival, require a special acknowledgment to Commodore Conner and Commander Mercer of the navy. The army is deeply grateful for Ihis support and co-operation from a kindred branch of the public service. By order of Brigadier General Tavloh, W. W. J. BLISS, Acting adjutant general. Hecidqunrterx Army of Occiipntion, Point Isabel, Texas, May IL', 1846. [Special Orukrs, No. G'2] I. General La Vega and the other Mexican ofii- cers, prisoners of war, will be conducted to New Orleans under charge of Lieut. J. J. Reynolds, 4lh artillery, v/lio will report on his arrival to iMajor General Gaines, for further inslructions. The quar- termaster's department will furnish a steamer for the transportation of the party. 2. As many of the sick and wounded now at this place as may be indicated by Surgeon Wood, will be sent in suitable transports to St. Joseph's Island. Assistant Surgeon Byrne will accompany the de- tachment, and will return with the convalescents that may be in condition tn leave the general hos- pital. The quartermaster's department will furnish the proper transportation. By order of Brigadier General Tatlor. W. W. J, BLISS, Acting adjutant general. Headquarters of the Jlrmy of Occupation, Camp near Matamoros, May 16th, 1846. Sir : — I have now the honor to submit a more de- tailed report of the action of the 8th inst. The main body of the army of occupation marched under my immediate orders from Point Isabel on the evening of the 7th May, and bivouacked seven miles from that place. Our march was resumed the following morning. About noon, when o\ir advance of cavalry had reach- ed the water-hole of "Palo Alto," the Mexican troops were reported in our front, and were soon discovered occupying the road in force. 1 ordered a halt upon reaching the water, with a view to rest and refresh the men, and form deliberately our line of battle. The Mexican line was now plainly visible across the prairie, and about three-qaarters of a mile distant. Their left, which was composed of a heavy force of cavalry, occupied the road, resting upon a thicket of chaparral, while masses of infantry were discovered in succession on the right, greatly out- numbering our own force. Our line of battle was now formed in the follow- ing order, commencirig on the extreme right: 5th infantry, commanded by Lieut. Colonel Mcintosh; Major Ringgold's artillery ; 3d infantry, commanded by Captain L. M. Morris; two lb-pounders, com- manded by Lieut. Churchill, 3d artillery: 4lh infan- try, commanded by Major G. W. Allen ; the 3d and 4th regiments composed the third brigade, under command of Lieutenant Colonel Garland, and all the above corps, together with two squadrons of dragoons, under Captains Ker and May, composed the right wing, under the orders of Colonel Twiggs. The left was formed by the battalion of artillery commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Childs, Captian Duncan's light artillery, and the 8th infantry under Captain Montgomery, all lorming the first brigade, under command of Lieutenant Colonel Belknap. The train was parked near tlie water, under direc- tions of Captains Crossman and Myers, and protected by Captain Ker's squadron. About two o'clock we took up the march by heads of columns, in the direction of the enemy, the 18 pounder battery following the road. While the columns were advancing, J^ieutcnant Blake, Topo- graphical Engineers, volunteered a reconnoisance of the enemy's line, which was handsomely perform- ed, and resulted in the discovery of at least two bat- teries of artillery in the intervals of their cavalry and infantry. These batteries were soon opened upon us, when 1 ordered the columns lialtcd and de- ployed into line, and the lire lo be returned by all our artillery. The 8th infantry, on onr extreme left, was thrown back to secure that flank. The first fires of the enemy did little execution, while our 18- pounders and Major Ringgold's artillery soon dis- MILITARY. 23 persed the cavalry which formed his left. Captain Duncan's batlery, thrown forward in advance of the line, was doing; good execution at this time. Captain May's squadron was now detached to support that battery and the left of our position. The Mexican cavalry, with two pieces of artillery, were now re- ported to be moving through the chaparral to our right, to threaten that flank, or make a demonstra- tion against the train. The 5th infantry was imme- diately detached to check this movement, and, sup- ported by Lieutenant Ridgely, with a section of Major Ringgold's battery, and Captain Walker's company of volunteers, ett'ectually repulsed the ene- my — the 5th infantry repelling a charge of lancers, and the artillery doing great execution in their ranks. The 3d infantry was now detached to the right, as a still further security to that flank, yet threatened by the enemy. Major Ringgold, with the remaining section, kept up his fire from an advanced position, and was supported by the 4th infantry. The grass of the prairie had been accidentally fired by our artillery, and the volumes of smoke now partially concealed the armies from each other. As the enemy's left had evidently been driven back, and left the road free, and as the cannonade had been suspended, I ordered forward the 18-pounders on the road, nearly to the position first occupied by the Mexican cavalry, and caused the first brigade lo take up a new position, still on the left of the 18-pounder battery. The 5th was advanced from its former po- sition, and occupied a point on the extreme right of the new line. The enemy made a change of position corresponding to our own, and after a suspension of nearly an hour, the action was resumed. The fire of artillery was now most destructive; openings were constantly made through the enemy's ranks by our fire, and the constancy with which the Mexican infantry sustained this severe cannonade was a theme of universal remark and admiration. Captain May's squadron was detached to make a demonstration on the left of the enemy's position, and suftered severely from the fire of artillery, to which it was for some time exposed. The 4th infantry, which had been ordered to sup- port the 18-pounder battery, was exposed to a most galling fire of artillery, by which several men were killed, and Captain Page dangerously wounded. The enemy's fire was directed against the 18-pounder battery and the guns under Major Ringgold, in its vicinity. The Major himself, while coolly directing the fire of his pieces, was struck by a cannon ball and mortally wounded. In the mean time the battalion of artillery under Lieut. Col. Childs had been brought up to support the artillery on our right. A strong demonstration of cavalry was now made by the enemy against this part of our line, and the columr. continued to ad- vance under a severe fire from the 18-pounders. The battalion was mstantly formed in square, and held ready to receive the charge of cavalry, but when the'advancing squadrons were within close range, a deadly fire of canister from the 18-pounders dispersed them. A brisk fire of small arms was now opened upon the square, by which one efficer (Lieut. Luther, 2d artillery) was slightly wounded; but a well-directed volley from the front of the square silenced all lurlher firing from the enemy in this quarter. It was now nearly dark, and the action was closed on the right of our line, the enemy having been completely driven back from his position and foiled in every attempt against our line. While the above was going forward on our right, and under my own eye, the enemy had made a se- rious attempt against the left of our line, ('aptain Duncan instantly perceived the movonicnt, and, by the bold and brilliant manojuvring of his battery, completely repulsed several successive eft'orts of the enemy lo advance in force upon our left (lank. Sup- ported in succession by the 8ih infantry and by (>.ipt. Ker's squadron of dragoons, he gallantly held the enemy at bay, and finally drove him, with immense loss, from the field. ']"he action here and along the whole line continued until dark, when the enemy re- tired into the chaparral, in rear of his jjosition. Our army bivouacked on the ground it occupied. During the afternoon the train had been moved forward about half a mile, and was parked in rear of the new position. Our loss this day was nine killed, forty-four wounded, and two missing. Among the wounded were Major Ringgold, who has since died, and Capt. Page dangerously wounded, Lieut. Luther slightly so. 1 annex a tabular statement of the casualties of the day. Our own force engaged is shown by the field re- port herewith to have been 177 ofiicers and 2,111 men, aggregate 2,288. The .Mexican force, accord- ing to the statements of their own officers taken prisoners in the afiair of the 9lh, was not less than 6,000 regular troops, with ten pieces of artillery, and probably exceeded that number — the irregular force not known. Their loss was not less than 200 killed and 400 wounded— probably greater. This estimate is very moderate, and formed upon the number actually counted upon the field, and upon the reports of their own officers. As already reported in my first brief despatch, the conduct of ourofficers and men was every thing that could be desired. Exposed for hours to the severest trial— a cannonade of artillery— our troops displayed a coolness and constancy which gave me throughout the assurance of victory. I purposely defer the mention of individuals until my report of the action of the 9lh, when 1 will en- deavor to do justice to the many instances of dis- tinguished conduct on both days. In the mean time I refer for more minute details to the reports of indi- vidual commanders. I am, sir, very^ respectfully, your obedient servant, Z. TAYLOR, Brtvet Brig. Gen. U. S. Jl., commanding. The Adjutant Geseral of the Jrmy, Washivglon. Head quarters Jrmy of Occupation, Camp near Fort Broicn, Texas, May 17, 1846. Sir: In submitting a more minute report of the affair of " Resaca de la Palma," I have the honor to slate, that early on the morning of the 9th instant, the enemy, who had encamped near the field of the day previous, was discovered moving by his left flank, evidently in retreat, and perhaps at the same lime to gain a new position on the road to Malamo- ros, and ihere again resist our advance. I ordered the supply train to be strongly parked at its position, and left with it four pieces of artillery — the two IBpounders, which had done such good ser- vice on the previous day, and two 12-pounders, which had not been in the action. The wounded ! officers and men were at the same time sent back to I Point Isabel. I then moved forward with the I columns to the edge of the chaparral or forest, which i extends to the Rio Grande, a distance of seven I miles. The light companies of the first brigade un- 1 der Captain C. T. Smith, second artillery, and a ' select detachment of light troops, the whole under 24 MILITARY. the command of Captain McCali, fourth infantry, were thrown forward into the chaparral, to feel the enemy, and ascertain his position. About 3 o'clock, I received a report from the advance that the enemy Tvas in position on tlie road, with at least two pieces of artillery. The command was immediately put in motion, and abo-.t 4 o'clock 1 came up with Captain McCall, who reported the enemy in force in our front, occupyinj5 a ravine which intersects ihe road, and is skirled by thickets of dense chaparral. Ridge- ly's battery, and the advance under Captain McCall, were at once thrown forward on the road and into the chaparral on either side, while the lifth infantry and one wing of the fourtli was thrown into tiie forest on the left, and the third and the other wing of the fourtli on the right of the road. These cor[is were employed as skirmishers to cover the battery and engage the Mexican infantry. Captain McCall's command became at once engaged witii the enemy, while the light artillery, though in a very exposed position, did great execution. The enemy had at least eight pieces of artillery, and maintained an incessant fire upon our advance. The action now became general, and allhougli the enemy's infantry gave way before the steady fire and resistless progress of our own, yei his artillery was still in position to check our advance — several pieces occupying the pass across the ravine, which he had chosen for his pusilion. Perceiving that no decisive advantage could be gained until this artillery was silen::ed, I ordered Captain May to charge thebalte- ry with his squadron of dragoons. This was gallantly and eflectually executed ; the enemy was driven from his guns, and General La Vega, who remained alone at one of the batteries, was taken prisoner. The squadron, which sulfercd much in this charge, not being immediately supported by infantry, could not retain possession of the artillery taken, but it was completely silenced. In the mean time the eighth infantry had been ordered up, and had become warmly engaged on the right of the road. This regiment and a part of the fifth were now ordered to charge the batteries, which was handsomely done, and the enemy entirely driven from his artillery and his position on the left of the road. The light companies of the first brigade, and the third and fourth regiments of infantry, had been de- ployed on the right of the road, when, at various points, they became briskly engaged with the enemy. A small party, under Captain Buchanan and Lieu- tenants Wood and Hays, fourth infantry, composed chiefiy of men of that regiment, drove the enemy trom a breastwork which he occupied, and captured a piece of artillery. An attempt to recover this piece was repulsed by Captain Barbour's third infan- try. The enemy was at last completely driven from liis position on the right of the road, and retreated precipitately, leaving baggage of every description. The fourth infantry took possession of a camp where the head-quarters of the Mexican general-in-chief were established. All his official correspondence was captured at this place. The artillery battalion (excepting the flank com- panies) had been ordered to guard the baggage train, which was parked some distance in rear. That bat- talion was now ordered up to pursue the enemy, and, with the .'id infantry, Ca|)t. Ker's dragoons, and Capt. Duncan's battery, followed him ropidly to the river, making a number of prisoners, (ircat numbers of the enemy were drowned in attempting to cross the river near the town. The corps last mentioned en- camped near the river— the remainder of the army on the field of battle. The strength of our marching force on this day, as exhibited in the annexed field report, was 173 ofii- cers and 2,049 men— aggregate 2,222. The actual number engaged with the enemy did not exceed L'/OO. Our loss was three officers killed, thirty six men killed and seventy-one wounded. Among the ofilcers killed 1 have to report the loss of Lieut. Jnge, 2d dragoons, who fell at the head of his platoon, while gallantly charging the enemy's battery; of Lieut. Cochrane, of the 4th, and Lieut. Chadbourne, of the &lh infantry, who likewise met their death in the thickest of the fight. The officers wounded were Lieut. Col. Payne, inspector general ; Lieut. Dob- bins, 3d infantry, serving with the light infantry ad- vance, slightly ; Lieut. Col. Mcintosh, 5th infantry, severely, twice; Capt. Hooe, 5lh infantry, severely, (right arm since amputated ;) Lieut. Fowler, 5lh in- fantry, slightly ; Capt. Montgomery, 8th infantry, slightly ; Lieuts. Gates and Jordan, 8th infantry, se- verely, (each twice;) Lieuts. Selden, Maclay, Bur- bank and Morris, 8th infantry, slightly. I have no accurate data from which to estimate the enemy's force on this day. Pie is known to have been reinforced after the action of the 8th, both by cavalry and infan'ry, and no doubt to an extent equal to his loss on that day. It is probable that 6,000 men were opposed to us, and in a position chosen by themselves, and strongly defended with artillery. The enemy's loss was very great. Nearly 200 of his dead were buried by us on the days succeeding the battle. His loss, in killed and wounded and missing, in the two afi'airs of the 8th and 9th, is, I think, moderately estimated at LOOO men. Our victory has been decisive. A small force has overcome immense odds of the best troops that Mexico can furnish; veteran regiments perfectly equipped and appointed. Eight pieces of ariillery, several colors and standards, a great number of pri- soners, including fourteen officers, and a large amount of baggage and public property, have fallen into our hands. The causes of victory are doubtless to be found in the superior quality of our officers and men. I have already, in former reports, paid a general tribute to the admirable conduct of the troops on both days. It now becomes my duty, and 1 feel it to be one of great delicacy, to notice individuals. In so exten- sive a field as that of the 8lh, and in the dense cover where most of the action of the 9th was fought, I could not possibly be witness to more than a small portion of the operations of the various corps, and 1 must therefore depend upon the reports of subor- dinate commanders, which 1 respectfully enclose herewith. Col. 'I'vviggSjthe second in command, was particu- larly active on both days, in executing my orders and directing Ihe operations of the right wing. Lieut. Col. Mcintosh, commanding the 5th infantry j Lieut. Col. (iarland, commanding the third brigade; Lieut. Col. Belknap, commanding the Jirsf brigade ; Lieut. Col. Childs, commanding the artillery bat- talion ; Major Allen ; Cajjts. L W. Morris, and Mont- gomery, commanding respectfully the 4th, 3d, and 8th regiments of infantry, were zealous in the per- formance of their duties, and gave examples to their commands of cool and fearless condnci. Lieut. Col. Mcintosh repulsed with his regiment a charge of lancers in the action of Palo Alto, and shared with it in ttie hoii'.rs and darigers of the fallowing day, being twice severely wounded. Lieut. Co), llelknap headed a charge of the 8lli infantry, which lesulled in driving the enemy frt)m his guns, and leaving us in possession of that part of the field. MILITARY. 25 Captain Duncan and Lieut. Rid2;eiy deserve spe- cial notice for the gallant and efficient manner in which they manojiivied and served their batteries. The impression made by Captain Duncan's battery upon the extreme right of the enemy's line at the affair of Palo Alto contributed largely to the result of the day; while the terrible fire kept up by Lieut. Ridgely in the all'alr of the 9lh inflicted heavy losses upon the enemy. The 18-pounder battery, which played a conspicuous part in the action of the 8th, was admirably served by Lieut. Churchill, 3d artil- lery, assisted by Lieut. Wood, topographical engi- neers. The charge of cavalry against the enemy's batteries on the 9th was gallantly led by Captain May, and had complete success. Captain McCall, 4th infantry, rendered distinguished service with the advanced corps under his orders. Its loss in killed and wounded will show how closely it was engaged. 1 may take this occasion to say that in two former instances Captain McCall has rendered valuable ser- vice as a partisan officer. In this connexion I would mention the services of Captain Walker, of the Teicas rangers, who was in both affairs with his company, and who has performed very meritorious services as a spy and pariisan. I must peg leave to refer to the reports of subordinate commanders and privates, who were distinguished by good conduct on both days. Instances of individual gallantry and personal conflict with the enemy were not wanting in the aff"air of the 9th, but cannot find place in a general report. The officers serving in the staffs of the different commanders are particularly mentioned by them. I derived efficient aid on both days from all the officers of my staff. Captain Bliss, assistant adjutant general; Lieut. Colonel Payne, inspector general; Lieut. Eaton, A. D. C; Capt. Waggaman, commis- sary of subsistence; Lieut Leavitt, engineer, and Lieuts. Blake and Meade, topographical engineers, promptly conveyed my orders to every part of the field. Lieut. Colonel Payne was wounded in the affair of the 9th, and I have already had occasion to report the melancholy death of Lieut. Blake, by ac- cident, in the interval between the two engagements. Major Craig and Lieut. Brcreton, of the ordnance department, were actively engaged in their appro- priate duties, and Surgeon Craig, medical director, superintended in person the arduous service of the field hospitals. I take this occasion to mention gen- erally the devotion to duty of the medical staff of the army, who have been untiring in their exertions, both in the field and in the hospitals, to alleviate the sufferings of the wounded of both armies. Captains Grossman and Myers, of the quarter-master's de- partment, who had charge of the heavy supply train at both engagements, conducted it in a most satisfac- tory manner, and finally brought it up, without the smallest loss, to its destination. I enclose an inventory of the Mexican property captured on the field, and also a sketch of the field of "Resaca de la Palma," and of the route from Point Isabel, made by my aid-de-camp, Lieut. Eaton. One regimental color (battalion of Tampico) and many standards and guidons of cavalry were taken at the affair of the 9th. I would be pleased to re- ceive your instructions as to the disposition to be made of these trophies; whether they shall be sent to Washington, &c. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Z. TAYTOR, Brevet Brigadier Geneial, U. S. .^. Commanding. The Adjutant General of the Army, Washington, B.C. OFFICIAL DESPATCHES FROM Gi;NF>RAt. TAYLOR. Headquarters Army of Occupation, Camp near JMonteriy , Oct. 9, 1846. Sir : I have now the honor to submit ;i detailed re- port of the recent operations before Monterey, re- sulting in the capitulation of that city. The information received on the route from Serai- vo, and particularly the continual ai)pearance in our front of the Mexican cavalry, which had a slight skirmish with our advance at the village of llamas, induced the belief, as we approached Monterey, that the enemy would defend that place. Upon reaching the neighborhood of the city on the morning of the 19th of September, this belief was fully confirmed. It was ascertained that he occupied the town in lorce; that a large work had been constructed com- manding all the northern approaches; and that the Bishop's Palace, and some heights in its vicinity near the Saltillo road, had also been fortified and occupi- ed with troops and artillery. It was known, from information previously received, that the eastern ap- proaches were commanded by several small works in the lower edge of the city. The configuration of the heights and gorges in the direction of the Saltillo road, as visible from the point attained by our advance on the morning of the 19th, led me to suspect that it was practicable to turn all the works in that direction, and thus cut the enemy's line of communication. Afier establishing my camp at the "Walnut Springs," three miles from Monterey, the nearest suitable position, it was, ac- cordingly, my first care to order a close reconnois- sance of the ground in question, which was executed on the evening of the 19th by the engineer officers under the direction of Major Mansfield. A recon- noissance of the eastern approaches was at the same time made by Capt. Williams, topographical engi- neer. The examination made by Major Mansfield proved the entire practicability of throwing forward a column to the Saltillo road, and thus turning the position of the enemy. Deeming this to be an ope- ration of essential importance, orders were given to Brevet Brig. Gen. Worth, commanding the second division, to march with his command on the 20th ; to turn the hill of the Bishop's Palace ; to occupy a position on the Saltillo road, and to carry the ene- my's detached works in that quarter, where practi- cable. The first regiment of Texas mounted volun- teers, under command of Colonel Hays, was associ- ated with the second division on this service. Capt. Sanders, engineers, and Lieut. Meade, topographical enaineers, were also ordered to report to General Worth for duty with his column. At 2 o'clock, P. M., on the 20th, the second divi- sion took up its march. It was soon discovered, by officers who were reconnoitering the town, and com- municated to Gen. Worth, that its movement had been perceived, and that the enemy was throwing reinforcements towards the Bishop's Palace and the height which commands it. To divert his attention as far as practicable, the first division under Brig. Gen. Twiggs, and field division of volunteers, under Major General Butler, were displayed in front of the town until dark. Arrangements were made at the same time to place in battery during the night, at a suitable distance from the enemy's main work, the citadel, two 24-pounder howitzers and a 10-inch mortar, with a view to open a fire on the following 26 MILITARY. day, when 1 proposed to make a diversion in favor of Gen. Worth's movement. The 4th infantry cov- ered this battery during the night. Gen. Worth had in the mean lime reaclied and occupied for tiie nij;iit a defensive position just without range of a battery above the Bishop's Palace, liavingmaae a reconnois- sance as far as the Saltillo road. Before proceeding to report the operations of the 21st and following days, 1 beg leave to state that I shall mention in detail only those which were con- ducted against the eastern extremity of the city or elsewhere, under my immediate direction, referring you for the particulars of Gen. Worth's operations, which were entirely detached, to his own full report transmitted herewith. Early on the morning of the 21st, I received a note from General Worth, written at half past 9 o'clock the night before, suggesting what I had already in- tended, a strong diversion against the centre and left of the town, to favor his enterprise against the heights in rear. The infantry and artillery of the first division, and the field division of volunteers, were ordered under arms and took the direction of the city, leaving one company of each regiment as a camp guard. The 2d dragoons, under Lieut. Col. May, and Col. Wood's regiment of Texas mounted volunteers, under the immediate direction of Gen. Henderson, were directed to the right, to support Gen. Worth, if necessary, and to make an impres- sion, if practicable, upon the upper quarter of the city. Upon approaching the mortar battery, the 1st and 3d regiments of infantry and battalion of Balti- more and Washington volunteers, with Capt. Bragg's field battery — the whole under the command of Lieut. Colonel Garland — wei e directed towards the lower part of the town, with orders to make a strong demonstration, and to carry one of the enemy's ad- vanced works, if it could be done without too heavy loss. Major Mansfield, engineers, and Capt. Wil- liams and Lieut. Pope, topographical engineers, accompanied this column. Major Mansfield being charged with its direction, and the designation of points of attack. In the mean time the mortar, served by Capt. Ramsay, of the ordnance, and the howitzer battery under Capt. Webster, 1st artillery, had opened their fire upon the citadel, which was deliberately sustained, and answered from the work. Gen. Butler's division had now taken up a position in the rear of this battery, when the discharges of artillery, mingled finally with a rapid fire of small arms, showed that Lieut. Col. Garland's command had become warmly engaged. 1 now deemed it ne- cessary to support this attack, and accordingly or- dered the 4lh infantry and three regiments of Gen. Butler's division to march at once by the left flank in the direction of the advanced work at the lower extremity of the town, leaving one regiment (1st Kentucky) to cover the mortar and howitzer battery. By some mistake, two companies of the 4th infantry did not receive this order, and consecjuently did not join the advance companies until some time after- wards. Lieut. Colonel Garland's command had approach- ed the town in a direction to the right of the ad- vanced work (No. 1) at the northeastern angle of the city, and the engineer officer, covered by skirm- isher3, had succeeded in entering the suburbs and gaining cover. The remainder of this command now advanced and entered the town under a heavy fire of artillery from the citadel and the works on the left, and of musketry from the houses and small works in front. A movement to the right was attempted with a view to gain the rear of No. 1, and carry that work, but the troops were so much exposed to a fire which they could not effectually return, and had al- ready sustained such severe loss, particularly in of- ficers, that it was deemed best to withdraw them to a more secure position. Capt. Backus, Ist infantry, however, with a portion of liis own and other com- panies, had gained the roof of a tannery, which look- ed directly into the gorge of No. 1, and from which he poured a most destructive fire into that work and upon the strong building in its rear. This fire hap- pily coincided in point of time with the advance of a portion of the volunteer division upon No. 1, and contributed largely to the fall of that strong and im- portant work. The three regiments of the volunteer division un- der the immediate command of Major General But- ler had in the mean time advanced in the direction of No. 1. The leading brigade, under Brig. Gen. Quitman, continued its advance upon the work, pre- ceded by three companies of the 4th infantry, while Gen. Butler, with the 1st Ohio regiment, entered the town to the right. The companies of the 4th infan- try had advanced within short range of the work, when they were received by a fire that almost in one moment struck down orie-third of the officers and men, and rendered it necessary to retire and effect a conjunction with the two other companies then ad- vancing. Gen. Quitman's brigade, though sufl'ering most severely, particularly in the Tennessee regi- ment, continued its advance, and finally carried the work in handsome style, as well as the strong build- ing in its rear. Five pieces of artillery, a consider- able supply of ammunition, and thirty prisoners, in- cluding three officers, fell into our hands. Major Gen. Butler, with the Isl Ohio regiment, after en- tering the edge of the town, discovered that nothing was to be accomplished in his front, and at this point, yielding to the suggestions of several officers, I or- dered a retrograde movement; but learning almost immediately from one of my staff that the battery No. 1 was in our possession, the order was counter- manded, and 1 determined to hold the battery and defences already gained. Gen. Butler, with the 1st Ohio regiment, then entered the town at a point fur- ther to the left, and marched in the direction of the battery No. 2. While making an examination with a view to ascertain the possibility of carrying this second work by storm, the general was wounded and soon after compelled to quit the field. As the strength of No. 2, and the heavy musketry fire flank- ing the approach, rendered it impossible to carry it without great loss, the 1st Ohio regiment was with- drawn from the town. Fragments of the various regiments engaged were now under cover of the captured battery, and some buildings in its front and on the right. The field batteries of Capt. Bragg and Ridglcy were also par- tially covered by the battery. An incessant fire was kept up on this position from battery No. 2 and other works on its right, and from the citadel, on all our approaches. General Twiggs, though quite un- well, joined me at this point, and was instrumental in causing the artillery captured from the enemy to be placed in battery, and served by Capt. Ridgely against No. 2 until the arrival of Capt. Webster's howitzer battery, which took its place. In the mean time I directed such men as could be collected of the 1st, 3d, and 4ih regiments and Baltimore bat- talion to enter the town, penetrating to the right, and carry the second battery, if possible. This com- mand, under Lieut. Col. Garland, advanced beyond MILITARY. 2» the bridge "Purisima," when finding it impractica- ble to gain the rear of the second battery, a portion of it sustained themselves for sometime in that ad- vanced position ; but as no permanent impression could be made at that point, and the main ol)ject of the general operation had been elfeeted, the com- mand, including a section of Capt. llidgely's battery, which had joined it, was withdrawn to battery No. ]. During the absence of tiiis column, a demonstration of cavahy was reported in the direction of the cita- del. Capt. Bragg, wlio was at hand, immediately gallopped with his battery to a suitable position, from which a few discharges effectually dispersed the enemy. Capt. Miller, first infantry, was des- patched with a mixed command, to support the bat- tery on this service — The enemy's lancers had pre- viously charged upon the Ohio and a part of the Mis- sissippi regiment, near some fields at a distance from the edge of the town, and had been repulsed with considerable loss. A demonstration of cavalry on the opposite side of the river was also dispersed in the course of the afternoon by Capt. Ridgley's bat- tery, and the squadrons returned to the city. At the approach of evening all the troops that had been en- gaged were ordered back to camp except Capt. Ridgley's battery and the regular infantry of the first division, who were detailed as a guard for the works during the night, under command of Lieut. Col. Garland. One battalion of the first Kentucky regiment was ordered to reinforce this command. — Intrenching tools were procured, and additional strength was given to the works, and protection to the men, by working parties during the night, under the direction of Lieut. Scarritt, engineers. The main object proposed in the morning had been effected. A powerful diversion had been m^ade to favor the operations of the 2d division, one of the enemy's advanced works had been carried, and we now had a strong foothold in the town. But this had not been accomplished without a very heavy loss, embracing some of our most gallant and promising officers. Capt. Williams, topographical engineers, Lieuts. Terrett and Dilworth, 1st infantry, Lieut. Woods, 2d infantry, Capts. Morris and Field, Brevet Major Barbour, Lieuts. Irwin and Hazlitt, 3d in- fantry, Lieut. Hoskins, 4lh infantry, Lieut. Colonel Watson, Baltimore battalion, Capt. Allen and Lieut. Putman, Tennessee regiment, and Lieut. Hett, Ohio regiment, were killed, or have since died of wounds received in this engagement, while the number and rank of the officers wounded gives additional proof of the obstinacy of the contest, and the good conduct of our troops. The number of killed and wounded incident to the operations in the lower part of city on the 21st is 394. Early in the morning of this day, (21st,) the ad- Tance of the 2d division had encountered the enemy in force, and after a brief and sharp conflict, re- pulsed him with heavy loss. Gen. Worth then suc- ceeded in gaining a position on the Saliillo road, thus cutting the enemy's line of communication. From this position the two heights south of the Saltillo road were carried in succession, and the gun taken in one of them turned upon the Bishop's Palace. These important successes were fortunately obtained with comparatively small loss, Capt. McKavett, &th infantry, being the only officer killed. The 22d day of September passed without any ac- tive operations in the lower part of the city. The citadel and other works continued to fire at parties exposed to their range, and at the work now occu- pied by our troops. The guard left in it the preced- ing night, except Capt. Ridgely's company, w»s re- lieved at mid-day by Gen. Quitmjn's brigade. Capt. Bragg's battery was thrown under cover in front of the town to repel any demonstration of cavalry in that quarter. At dawn ol day, ihe height above the Bishop's Palace was carried and soon after meridian the Palace itself was taken and its ginis turned upon the fugitive garrison. The object fur which the 2d division was detached had thus ijcen completely ac- complished, and I felt confident that with a strong force occupying the road and heights in his rear, and a good position below the city in our possession, the enemy could not possibly maintain the town. During the night of tiie 22d, the enemy evacuated nearly all his defences in the lower part of the city. This was reported to me early in the morning of the 23d by Gen. Quitman, who had already meditated an assault upon those works. I immediately sent in- structions to that officer, leaving it to his discretion to enter the city, covering his men by the houses and walls, and advance carefully as far as he might deem prudent. After ordering the remainder of the troops as a reserve, under the orders of Brigadier General Twiggs, 1 repaired to the abandoned works, and dis- covered that u portion of Gen. Quitman's brigade had entered the town, and were successfully forcing their way towards the principal plaza. I then or- dered up the 2d regiment of Texas mounted volun- teers, who entered the city, dismounted, and, under the immediate orders of Gen. Henderson, co-ope- rated with Gen. Quitman's brigade. Capt. Bragg's battery was also ordered up, supported by the 3d in- fantry; and after firing for some time at the cathe- dral, a portion of it was likewise thrown into the city. Our troops advanced from house to house, and frona 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. This advance was conducted vigorously but with due caution, and, although destructive to the enemy, was attended with but small loss on our part. Capt. Fidgely, in the mean time, had served a captured piece in battery No. 1 against the city, until the ad- vance of our men rendered it imprudent to fire in the direction of the cathedral. 1 was now satisfied that we could operate successfully in the city, and that the enemy had retired from the lower portion of it to make a stard behind his barricades. As Gen . Quitman's brigade had been on duty the previous night, I determined to withdraw the troops to the evacuated works, and concert with Gen. Worth a combined attack upon the town. The troops accord- ingly fell back deliberately, in good order, and re- sumed their original positions, Gen. Quitman's bri- gade being relieved after nightfall by that of Gen. Hamer. On my return to camp, I met an officer with the intelligence that Gen. Worth, induced by the firing in the lower part of the city, was about making an attack at the upper extremity, which had also been evacuated by the enemy to a considerable distance. I regretted that this information had not reached me before leaving the city, but still deemed it inexpedient to change my orders, and accordingly returned to camp. A note from Gen. Worth, writ- ten at eleven o'clock, P. M., informed me that he had advanced to within a short distance of the prin- cipal plaza, and that the mortar (which had been sent to his division in the morning) was doing good execution within effective range ot the enemy's po- sition. Desiring to make no further attempt upon the city without complete concert as to the lines and mode of approach, I instructed that officer to sus- 28 MILITARY. pend his advance until 1 could have an interview with him on the followini; morning at hi3 head- quarters. Early on the morning of the Q4th, I received, throui^h Col. Moreno, a comnnutiication from Gen. Ampudia, proposing to evacuate the town, which, with the answer, were forwarded with my first de- spatch. I arranged with Col. Moreno a cessation of fire until 12 o'clock, at which hour I would receive the answer of the Mexican general at Gen. Worth's headquarters, to which I soon repaired. In the mean time, Gen. Ami)udia had signified to Gen. Worth his desire for a personal interview with me, to which 1 acceded, and which finally resulted in a capitulation, placing the town and the materiel of war, with cer- tain exceptions, in our possession. A copy of that capitulation was transmitted witli my first despatch. Upon occupying ttie city, it was discovered to be of great strength in itself, and to have its approaches carefully and strongly fortified. The town and works were armed with 42 pieces of cannon, well supplied with ammunition, and manned with a force of atleast. 7,000 troops of the line, and from 2000 to 3000 ir- regulars. The force under my orders before Mon- terey, as exhibited by the accompanying return, was 425 officers, and 6,220 men. Our artillery consisted of one 10 inch mortar, two 24 pounder howitzers, and four light field batteries of four guns each— the mortar being the only piece suitable to the operation of a siege. Our loss is twelve officers and one hundred and eight men killed ; thirty-one officers and three hun- dred and thirty-seven men wounded. That of the enemy is not known, but is believed considerably to exceed our own. I take pleasure in bringing to the notice of the government the good conduct of the troops, both regulars and volunteers, which has been conspicuous throughout the operations. I am proud to bear tes- timony of their coolness and constancy in batt.'e, and the cheerfulness with which they have submitted to exposure and privation. To the general officers commanding divisions— Major Generals Butler and Henderson, and Brigadier Generals Twiggs and Worth— I must express my obligations for the effi- cient aid which they have rendered in their respec- tive commands. 1 was unfortunately deprived, early on the 21st, of the valuable services of Major Gene- ral Butler, who was disabled by a wound received in the attack on the city. Major General Henderson, commanding the Texas volunteers, has given me im- portant aid in the organization of his command, and its subsequent operations. Brigadier Gen. Twiggs rendered important services with his division, and, as the second in command after Major General But- ler was disabled. Brigadier General Worth was in- trusted with an important detachment, which ren- dered his operations independent of my own. Those operations were conducted with ability, and crowned with complete success. I desire also to notice Brigadier Generals Hamer aud Quitman, commanding brigades in Gen. Butler's division. Lieutenant Colonels Garland and Wilson, Colonels Mitchell, Campbell, Davis and Wood, com- manding the Ohio, Tennessee, Mississippi and 2d Texas regiments, respectively, and Majors Lear, Allen and Abcrcroinbie, commanding the 3d, 4th and 1st regiments of infantry ; all of whom served under my eye, and conducted their commands with coolness and gallantry aizainst the enemy. Colonel Mitchell, Lieut. Col. M'Clung, Mississippi regiment, Major Lear, 3d infantry, and Major Alexander, Tennessee regiment, were all severely wounded, as were Captain Lamotte, 1st infantry, Lieut. Graham, 4th infantry. Adj. Armstrong, Ohio regiment, Lieuts. Scudder and Allen, Tennessee regiment, and Lieut. Howard, Mississippi regiment, while leading their men against the enemy's position on the 21st and 23d. After the fall of Colonel Mitchell, the com- mand of the 1st Ohio regiment devolved upon Lieut. Col. Weller ; that of the 3d infantry, after the fall of Major Lear, devolved in succession upon Captain Bainbridge and Captain Henry, the former being also wounded. The following named officers have been favorably noticed by their commanders: Lieut. Col. Anderson and Adjutant Herman, Tennessee regiment ; Lieut. Col. M'Clung, Capts. Cooper and Downing, Lieuts. Patterson, Calhoun, Moore, Russel and Cooke, Mis- sissippi regiment; also Serjeant Maj. Hearlan, Mis- sissippi regiment, and Major Price and Capt. J. R. Smith, unattached, but serving with it. I beg leave also to call attention to Captain Johnson, Ohio regi- ment, and Lieut. Hooker, 1st artillery, serving on the staff of Gen. Hamer, and of Lieut. Nichols, 2d artillery, on that of Gen. Quitman. Capts. Bragg and Ilidgely served with their batteries during the operations under my own observation, and in part under my immediate orders, and exhibited distin- guished skill and gallantry. Capt. Webster, 1st ar- tillery, assisted by Lieuts. Donaldson and Bowen, rendered good service with the howitzer battery, which was much exposed to the enemy's fire on the 21st. From the nature of the operations, the 2d dragoons were not brought into action, but were usefully em- ployed under the direction of Lieut. Col. May as es- corts, and in keeping open our communications. The 1st Kentucky regiment was also prevented from participating in the action of the 21st, but rendered highly important services under Col. Ormsby, in covering the mortar battery, and holding in check the enemy's cavalry during the day. I have noticed above the officers whose conduct either fell under my own immediate eye, or is noticed only in minor reports which are not forwarded. For further mention of individuals, 1 beg leave to refer to the reports of division commanders herewith respectfully transmitted. I fully concur in their re- commendations, and desire that they may be con- sidered as a part of my own report. From the officers of my personal staff, and of the engineers, topographical engineers, and ordnance as- sociated with me, I have derived valued and efficient assistance during the operations. Col. Whiting, as- sistant quartermaster general. Colonels Croghan and Belknap, inspectors general, Major Bliss, assistant adjutant general, Capt. Sibley assistant quartermas- ter. Captain Waggaman, commissary of subsistence, Capt. Eaton and Lieut. Garnett, aids de camp, and Majs. Kirby and Van Buren, pay department, served near my person, and were ever prompt in all situa- tions!, in the communication of my orders and instruc- tions. 1 must express my particular obligations to Brevet Major Mansfield and Lieut. Scarritt, corps of engineers. They both rendered most important ser- vices in reconnoitering the enemy's positions, con- ducting troops in attack, and strengthening the works captured from the enemy. Major Mansfield, though wounded on the 21st, remained on duty during that and the following day, until confined by his wounil to camp. Captain Williams, topographical engineers, to my great regret and the loss of the service, was mortally MILITARY. 29 wounded while fearlessly exposing himself in the attack of the 21st. Lieut. Pope, of the same corps, was active and zealous throughout the operation. Maj. Munroe, chief of the artillery, Maj. Craig and Capt. Ramsay, of the ordnance, were assiduous in the performance of their proper duties. The former su- perintended the mortar service on the 22d, as par- ticularly mentioned in the report of General Worth, to which I also refer for the services of the engineer and topographical officers detached with the second division. Surgeon Craig, medical director, was actively em- ployed in the important duties of his department, and the medical staff generally were unremitting in their attentions to the numerous wounded — their du- ties with the regular regiments being rendered un- commonly arduous by the small number serving in Uie field. I respectfully enclose herewith, in addition to the reports of division commanders, a field return of the force before Monterey, on the 21st September — a re- turn of killed, wounded and missing during the ope- rations — and two topographical sketches — one ex- hibiting all the movements around Monterey — the other on a larger scale, illustrating more particularly the operations in the. lower quarter of the city — pre- pared respectively by Lieuts. Meade and Pope, topo- graphical engineers. 1 am, sir, very re.ipectfully, your ob't serv't, ' Z.TAYLOR, Major General U. S. A. Com. The Adjutant General o*" the Army, Washington, D. C. Defence of Capitulation of Monterey , &c. LETTER FROM GEN. TAYLOR TO GEN. GAINES. jFVoju the JVeiw York Express, Januartj 22, 1847. Headquarters ^rmy of Occnpatiun, or Invasion, Monterey, Mexico, Jfuv. 9, 1846. My Dear*******: Your very kind and accepta- ble letter of the 31st of August ******** reached me only a short lime since, for which 1 beg leave to ten- der you ray sincere thanks. [A few confidential re- marks on certain public transactions are here omit- ted.] After considerable apparent delay on the part of I the Quartermaster's Department, in getting steam- boats into the Rio Grande adapted to its navigation, I succeeded, towards the latter part of August, in throwing forward to Camargo (a town situated on the San Juan river, three miles from its junction with the Rio Grande, on the west side, nearly 500 miles from Brazos island by water, and 200 by land, and 140 from this place) a considerable depot of provisions, ordnance, ammunition, and forage, and then, having brought together an important portion of my command, 1 determined on moving on this place. Accordingly, after collecting 17U0 pack mules, with their attendants and conductors, in the enemy's country, (the principal means of transporta- tion for our provisions, baggage, &c.) 1 left, on the 5th of September, to join my advance, which had preceded me a few days to Seralvo, a small village 75 miles on the route, which I did on the 9th, and, after waiting there a few days for some of the corps to get up, moved on and reached here on the 19th, with 6250 men — 2700 regulars, the balance volun- teers. For what took place afterwards, 1 must refer yen to my several reports — particularly to my de- tailed one of the 9th ultimo. 1 do not believe the authorities at Washington are at all satisfied with my conduct in legard to the terms of the capitulation entered into with the Mexi- can commander, which you no doubt have seen, as they have been made public through the official or- gan, and copied into various other newspapers. I have this moment received an answer (to my desiiatch announcing the surrender of Monterey, and the cir- cumstances attending the same) from the Secretary of War, stating that^" it was regretted by the Presi- dent that it was not deemed advisable to insist on the terms I had proposed in my first communication to the Mexican commander in regard to giving up the city," adding that "the circumstances which dictated, no doulk justified the change." Although the terms of capitulation may be considered too libe- ral on our part by (he President and his advisers, as well as by many others at a distance, particularly by those who do not understand the position which we occupied, (otherwise they might come to a difierent conclusion in regard to the matter,) yet, on due re- flection, 1 see nothing to induce me to regret the course I pursued. The proposition on the part of Gen Ainpudia, which had mucii to do in determin- ing my course in the matter, was based on the ground that our government had proposed to his to settle the existing difiiculties by negotiation, (which I knew was the case without knowing the result,) which was then under consideration by the proper authorities, and which he (Gen. Ampudia) had no doubt would result favorably, as the whole of his people were in favor of peace. If so, I considered the further eff"usion of blood not only unnecessary I but improper. Their force was also considerably ' larger than ours, and, from the size and position of the place, we could not completely invest it; so that the greater portion of their troops, if not the whole, had they been disposed to do so, could any night have abandoned the city, at once entered the moun- tain passes, and ellected their retreat do what we could. Had we been put to the alternative of taking the place by storm, (which there is no doubt we should have succeeded in doing,) we should in all probability have lost fifty or a hundred men in killed, besides the wounded, which I wished to avoid, as there appeared to be a prospect of peace, even if a distant one. I also wished to avoid the destruction of women and children, which must have been very great had the storming process been resorted to. Besides, they had a very large and strong fortifica- tion a short distance from the city, which, if carried with the bayonet, must have been taken at great sacrifice of life, and, with our limited train of heavy or battering artillery, it would have required twenty or twenty-five days to take it by regular approaches. That they should have surrendered a place nearly as strong as Quebec, well fortified under the direction of skilful engineers— their works garnished with forty-two pieces of artillery, abundantly supplied with ammunition, garrisoned by 7000 regular and 2000 irregular troops, in addition to some thousand citizens capable of (and no doubt actually) bearing arms, and aiding in its defence— to an opposing force of half their number, scantily supplied with provi- sions, and with a light train of artillery, is among the unaccountable occurrences of the times. I am decidedly opposed to carrying the war be- yond Saltillo in this direction, which place has been entirely abandoned by the Mexican forces, all of ! whom have been concentrated at San Luis Potosi -, 30 MILITARF. and I shall lose no time in taking possession of the former as soon as the cessation of liostilities referred to expires — which 1 have notified the Mexican au- thorities will he the case on the I3th instant, by di- rection of the President of the United States. If we are (in the language of A'r. Polk and Gene- ral Scott) under the necessity of "conquering a peace," and that by taking the capital of tlie country, we must go to Vera Cruz, take that place, and then march on to the city of iMexico. To do so in any other direction I consider out of the question. But, admitting that we conquer a peace by doing so — say at the end of the next twelve months — will the amount of blood and treasure which must be expend- ed in doing so be compensated by the same ? 1 think not — especially if the country we subdue is to be given up; and I imagine there are but few individu- als in our country who think of annexing Mexico to the United States. I do not intend to carry on my operations (as pre- viously staled) beyond Saltillo, deeming it next to impracticable to do so. It then becomes a question as to what is best to be done. It seems to me that the most judicious course to be pursued on our part ■would be to take possession at once of the line we would rccepl by negotiation, extending from the Gulf of iMexico to the Pacific, and occupy the same, or kee[) what wc already have possession of; and that, with Tampico, (which I hope to take in the course of the next month, or as soon as I can get the means of transportation,) will give us all on this side of the Sierra Madre, and, as soon as 1 occupy Saltillo, will include sis or seven Stales or Provin- ces, thus holding Tampico, Victoria, Monterey, Sal- tillo, Monclova, Chihuahua, (which I presume Gen. Wool has possession of by this time,) Santa Fe and the Californias, and say to Mexico, " Drive us from the country"— throwing on her the responsibility and expense of carrying on offensive war ; at the same time closely blockading all her ports on the Pacific and the Gulf. A course of this kind, if persevered in for a short time, would soon bring her to her pro- per senses, and compel her to sue for peace, provided there is a Government in the country sufiicienlly stable for us to treat with, which 1 fear will hardly be the case for many years to come. Without large reinforcements of volunteers from the United Stales —say ten or fifteen thousand, (those previously sent out having already been greatly reduced by sickness and other casualties)—! do not believe it would be advisable to march beyond Saltillo, which is more than two hundred miles beyond our depots on the Rio Grande— a very long line on which to keep up supplies (over a land route, in a country like this) for a large force, and certain to be attended with an expense which will be frightful to contemplate when closely looked into. From Saltillo to San Luis Polosi, the next place of importance on the road to the city of Mexico is three hundred miles; one hundred and forty badly watered, where no supplies of any kind could be pro- cured for men or h.orses. 1 have informed the War Department that 2U,000 eflicient men would be ne- cessary to ensure success if we move on that place, (a city containing a population of GU,Ul)(), where the enemy could bring together and sustain, besides the citizens, an army of 50,000,) a force which, I appre- hend, will hardly be collected by us with the train uecC'Sary to feed it, as well as to transport various other supplies, particularly ordnance and munitions of war. In regard to the armistice, which would have ex- pired by limitation in a few days, we lost nothing by it, as we could not move even now, had the enemy continued to occupy Saltillo ; for, strange to say, the first wagon which has reached me since the declara- tion of war was on the 2d instant, the same day on wliich I received from Washington an acknowledg- ment of my despatch announcing the taking of Mon- terey ; and then 1 received only one hundred and thirty five ; so that 1 have been, since May last, com- pletely crippled, and am still so, for want of trans- portation. After raking and scraping the country for miles around Camargo, collecting every pack- mule and other means of transportation, 1 could bring here only 80,000 rations, (fiiteen days' supply,) with a moderate supply of ordnance, ammunition, &c., to do which all the corps had to leave behind a portion of their camp equipage necessary for their comfort; and, in some instances among the volun- teers, thsir personal baggage. 1 moved in such a way, and with such limited means that, had I not succeeded, I should no doubt have been severely rep- rimanded, if nothing worse. I did so to sustain the administration. * * » * Of the two regiments of mounted men from Ten- nessee and Kentucky, who left their respective States to join me in .June, the latter has just i cached Camargo ; the former had not got to Matamoras at the latest dales from there. Admitting that they will be as long in returning as in getting here, (to say nothing of the time necessary to recruit their horses,) and were to be discharged in time to reach their homes, they could serve in Mexico but a very short time. The foregoing remarks are not made wi'ih the view of finding fault with any one, but to point out the difficulties with which 1 have had to contend. Monterey, the capital of New Leon, is situated on the San Juan river, where it comes out of the moun- tains — the city (which contains a population of about twelve thousand) being in part surrotinded by them — at the head of a large and beautiful valley. The houses are ot stone, in the Moorish style, with flat roofs, which, with their strongly enclosed yards and gardens in high stone walls, all looped for musketry, make them each a fortress within itself. It is the most important place in Northern Mexico, (or on the east side of Sierra Madre,) commanding the only pass or road for carriages from this side, between it and the Gulf of IMexico, to the table-lands of the Sierra, by or through which the city of Mexico can be reached. I much fear I shall have exhausted your patience before you gel half through this long aid luiinteresl- ing letter. If so, you can only commit it to the flames, and think no more about it, as 1 write in great haste, besides being interrupted every five minutes; so that you must make great allowances for blots, interlineations, and blunders, as well as want of connexion in many parts of the same. Be so good as to prerent me most kindly to your excellent lady, and accept my sincere wishes for your continued health, prosperity and fame. 1 remain, truly and sincerely, your friend, Z. TAYLOR. GEN. TAYLOR TO SECRLT.ARY OF WAR RELATIVE TO THE PRECEDLNG LETTER. Headquarters Army of Occupation, \ AouA Nt'EVA, March 'A, 1847. ^ I have had the honor to receive your communica- tion of January, enclosing a newspaper slip, and ex- MILITARY. 31 pressing the regret of the Department that the letter copied in that slip, and wliich was addressed by my- self to Major General Gaines, should have been pub- lished. Although your letter does not convey the direct censure of the Dej)artnient and the President, yet, when it was taken in connection with the revival of the paragraph in the regulations of 1825, touch- ing the publication of private letters concerning op- erations in the field, 1 am not permitted to doubt that I have become an object of Executive disappro- tion. To any expression of it, coming from the au- thority of the President, I am bound by my duty, and by my respect for his high office, patiently to submit; but lest my silence should be construed into a tacit admission of the grounds and conclusions set forth in your communication, 1 deem it a duty which I owe to myself, to submit a few remarks in reply. I shall be pardoned for speaking plainly. In the first place, the published letter bears upon its face the most conclusive evidence that it was intended only for private perusal, and not at all for publica- tion. It was published without my knowledge, and contrary to my wishes. Surely I need not say that I am not in the habit of writnig for the newspapers. The letter was a familiar one, written to iui old mil- itary friend, vvilli whom I have been for many years interchangmg opinions on professional subjects. — That he should think proper, under any circum- stance, to publish it, could not have been foreseen by me. In the absence of proof, that the publication was made without authority or knowledge, I may be per- mitted to say, the quotations in your letter of the 650lh paragraph of the superseded regulations of 1825, in which the terms " mischievous and dis- graceful" are employed to characterize certain let- ters or reports, conveys, though not openly, a mea- sure of rebuke, which, to say the least, is rather harsh, and which I may think not warranted by the premises. Again, I have examined the letter in question, and I do not admit that it is obnoxious to the objections urged in your communication. I see nothing in it which, under the same circumstances, [ would not write again. To suppose tliat it will give the enemy valuable information touching our posts, or respec- tive line of operations, is to know very little of the Mexican sources of information, or of their ex- traordinary sagacity and facilities in keeping con- stantly advised of our movements. As to my par- ticular views in regard to the general policy to be pursued towards Mexico, I perceive from the public journals that they are shared by many distinguished jitatesmen ; also, in part, by conspicuous officers of the navy, the publication of whose opini0 miles from Berlin. After an interesting description of the Baron's personal appearance and pursuits in his green old age, Mr. Stephens proceeds to say : "Out of Europe, Mexico seemed to be the country whicli intere.'-ted him most; perhaps frosn its connexion with those countries Avhich had brought me to his acquaintance, or more probably, because it was the foundation of his own early fame. He spoke of Mr. Prescott's History of the ( 'onquest, and said that I might, when the oppor- tunity offered, say to that gentleman as I'rom him- self, that there was no historian of the age, ini| England or Germany, equal to him. "And he was keenly alive to the present condi- tion of Mexico : he was lull of our Mexico war : his eyes were upon Gen. Taylor and the American Jlrmy. I was well aware, that in the conduct ol this war Gen. Taylor was drawing upon himself the eyes of all Europe ; and that whatever might he the diflerences of opinion as to its necessity or justice, it was producing everywhere, in mon archical and anti-republican countries, a strong: impression of our ability and power for war — which, in enlightened Europe, even at this day, more than all the fruits of peace, industry and extended commerce, more than the exhibition of! twenty millions of people abounding in all thei comforts of life, raises us to the rank of a 'first, rate power, and makes us respected.' "Baron Humboldt said that whh one of his own maps before them, the King and his military coun- cil had followed General Taylor from his encamp- ment at Corpus Christi, to Palo Alto and Resaca; de la Palma, through the storming of Monterey, and the bloody scenes of Buena Vista. They had fought over all his battles, and with his posi- tions all marked on the map, were then looking lor further tidings. They had seen and appre- ciated all his diliiculties at Buena Vista. In Prus- sia war is a science, and according to the leading policy of Europe, to be always ready for war, every male in Prussia, the highest nobleman's son not excepted, is compelled to serve his regular term in the array. In the teeth of all settled opin- ions, and as it were upsetting the whole doctrine of standing armies. General Taylw, with a hand- ful of regulars, and a smcdl body of volunteers who had never been in battle, and stood up for a ivhole day against a murderous fire, and had finally de- feated four times Ids number. Field Marshals and Generals of Prussia, among them veterans who had studied the art of war on the great battle-field of Europe, were struck with admiration at the daring and skill displayed at Buena Vista ; and this admiration. Baron Humboldt said, they ex- pressed without reserve, freely, pubhcly, and everywhere. Amid the bitterness and malignity of the English press, it was grateful to hear from such lips, that the leading mihtary men of a mili- tary nation did justice to the intrepidity and firm- ness of our volunteers, and to the courage, skill, , and high military talents of Gen. Taylor : while Baron Humboldt's conunents upon his dispatches ■ and orders, and in fact upon all that related to him personally in the conduct of the war, were such as no American could listen to without feeling proud." From the Virginia Free Preas. Piciiiiiiisceiiccs of Geucnl Taylor. The victorious achievements of Palo Alto, and Resaca de la Palma, where the U. States forces displayed as much gallantry and noble daring, as was ever exhibited in ancient or modern warfare, has called up early associations in the mind of the writer, and thrown it back upon scenes where MILITARY. 47 the Hero of the Rio Grande " fleshed his maiden sword," and culled the first laurels that entwine his brow. It was, I think, in the spring of 1814, that the startling news reached St. Louis, of the capture of Prairie du Chien, (a fort on thv upper Missis- sippi river,) and of the repulse of Captain Camp- bell, who had gone up in a boat, with his com- pany of United States troops, for the relief of the place. This gave the British and Indians com mand of the upper Mississippi, and fears were en- tertained for the safety of St. Louis. Fort Madi- son had been evacuated, Chicago, Greenbay, Prai- rie du Chien, and the whole of the upper country was in possession of the enemy, and nothing then, apparently, could oppose their descent of the river, and the fall of St. Louis. But there was a gallant spirit on our western border — a brave soldier, who had been schoohd tmder William Henry Harrison. Under that great and good man he had first unsheathed his sword, and distinguished himself in his warfare with a subtle foe — Major Zachary Taylor had exhibited such indomitable courage, such coolness in battle, when kis fort was on fire, and surrounded by In- dians — such resources within himself, when even hope failed almost within every other breast — that he was ordered to the protection of that exposed frontier, and to stay the progress of the invading enemy. Nobly did he achieve the undertaking — gallantly did he resist and stop their onward march, and relieve the country from the appre- hended danger. With one company of regulars, and as many volunteers from the territories of Illinois and Mis- souri, as he could hastily assemble at Portage de Sieux, he commenced the ascent of the Mississippi river in " keel-boats " — a craft not dissimilar to the largest class boats on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. They were bullet-proof however — the weather-boarding being hard seasoned oak plank, one and a half inches thick — along the whole length of the boat, two rows of port-holes, about two inches square and three feet apart, opened on each side, and on the stern and bow decks, six- pound swivel guns were mounted, liaving three embrasures, one on each side, and one in the end. We were eight boats altogether, containing from 100 to 150 men each, and propelled by oars, twenty-five on each side. Thus slowly and tedi- ously crawling up stream, we ascended the river, without encountering an enemy until we arrived nearly opposite Rock river, a considerable stream emptying on the eastern side of the Mississippi. Here we found a numerous force of Indians and British emcamped. The very thing we had been looking after, and which gave our troops so much delight; and here, on the ensuing morning, the gallant Taylor determined to give them battle. We landed therefore about dark, at a small island, a little above the mouth of Rock river, and lying close to the western side of the Mississippi, our boats moored contiguous to each other along the shore, bow to stern, and sentinels placed around in the arch of a circle, from the first to the last boat, and reaching about fiity yards into the woods. About daylight, or just before, as the corporal of the guard, by direction of the sergeant, wa* looking at his watch, to see if it was not time to relieve the guard, and stooping for that purpose with the watch in his hand, to the light of a small camp fire, the crack of a rifle was heard, and the watch dropped from the corporal's hand, and he ran into the boat, with his wrist broken. The sentinels in conformity with previous orders re- treated to the boats, and the drums beat to arms. As soon as it was ascertained that tlie enemy was on (he island, and would not attack the boats, or- ders were passed from boat to boat, for one half of each to turn out — the other half with tire guard to remain in charge of the boats. Day about this time began to illuminate the east, and dispel the gloom which surrounded us. Some confusion at firs t had been created by the noise of the drums, the retreat of the guard, and arousing the men from their slumbers, but with the coming light all was quieted, and the troops soon formed on the bank of the river. The hour had now arrived which the men had so much de- sired — during the long and tedious trip they had frequently talked it over — formed their plans — and determined how they would act Avhen the trial came — and now, that the time had arrived, upon which the lives of so many hung, they were as brave, dauntless, and eager as ever. The island at which we lay, was only separated from the western bank of the Mississippi by a narrow and shallow channel, usually fordable, and so thickly set with small willows and brush, that it only could be penetrated by the men stoop- ing, crawling and worming their way through. With these obstacles to contend with, Taylor on foot advanced whh his men, and very soon those at the boats heard the commencement of the ac- tion. At first, the reports of the fire-arms were distinct and apart, but gradually they increased in number and rapidity, until finally a constant discharge was kept up, and we knew that the whole force was engaged. In the course of about an hour, Capt. Rector returned with his company, and gave orders for his boat to push off. This at first created some alarm lor our friends on the island, as we were apprehensive that they had been repulsed or sur- rounded. But we were soon relieved — Taylor had ordered Rector to drop down with his boat to the main shore at the foot of the island, and cut up some 40 or 50 canoes lying there — and with which the Indians had crossed the river during the previ- ous night. The Indians were giving way and falling back before Taylor, and he was fearful they would escape him in their canoes. We dropped down stern-foremost, during which time some twelve or fifteen axes were distributed, and Lieut. Kincade with a sergeant and twenty- five men were ordered to disembark, and cover the party, while they demolished the canoes. In stead of twenty-five, more than fiity jumped out, and we had scarcely executed tlie order, before the Indians arrived; and soon after we re-entered the boat they opened their fire upon us. At the same time, the British on the eastern bank of the 48 MILITARY. river, had brought fonvard their cannon, and opened upon us and the other boats ; tiiis brought Taylor and his force to the boats; he had driven the IntUans from the island ; and the report of the cannon admonished hira of the exposed stituation of his frail liotilla. At first the cannon balls flew over us, or fell short ; but soon they began to hit us, and our situa- tion grew rather hot ; the other boats were also often hit — and Taylor determined to drop down to a more secure place — upon our attempt to push off our boat, we found that we were fast aground — the boat upon being lightened by the number who disembarked for the destruction of the canoes, neared the shore, and the consequence was that when we all returned, she grounded. The Indians soon detected our situation, and made the woods ring with their yell of exultation. As the other boats passed down, Taylor was apprised of our uncomfortable position — and ordered Capt. Whitesides to relieve us, but his boat was under such headway that he could not stop her for some time — and we got off before he come up. Rector foreseeing that when the Indians discovered we were aground, they Avonld make a rush and at- tempt to board us, or set fire to the boat, had or- dered both swivels doubly charged with grape, and half the men to keep their rifles loaded — soon they came, a rushing pell-mell mob, covering the whole beach. When they had reached within fifty yards of the boat, we gave them a whole broadside at once which sent them heller-skelter head over heels back again, and strewed the shore with dead and wounded — in this position we remained for at least half an hour — the Indians keeping up a constant fire — and making several charges to board us, while all the cannon on the opposite shore were brought to bear upon us. At length we si- lenced the Indians for a few minutes, by detecting a large number concealed in a thick willow clus- ter immediately on the margin of the river, about twenty steps above us — and through which crowd we sent two cannister of grape — our bow embra- sure had been accidently left open, and they had assembled just above us and wounded several men through the opening— during the short respite most of our men jumped out into the water on the river side of the boat ; keeping it between the Indians and themselves, and thus lightening lier, pulled her off. We then dropped down and join- ed the other boats, the whole force then moved slowly on to a prairie about a mile below Rock river, where it disembarked and formed in order of battle. Here Taylor waited for the enemy — their numerous macanaw boats which had been concealed up Rock river, now came out crowded with Indians and soldiers, and exhibited a disposi- tion as we thought to give us battle — from some cause, however, they returned, and we waited until night in vain — we retired to our boats at dark, and the next morning no enemy was to be seen. Two Indians of the Kaskaskia tribe, who had known Captain Rector for many years, accompa- nied him on the expedition — Jim Cox and Deroin — Jim Avas the most reckless being I ever knew, a perfect dare d — 1. Each boat was provided with a "falling mast," for the purpose of using sail when the wind would allow; ours happened to be standing at the time, and Jim not liking the confinement of the cabin, where he could only see through a small port-hole — planted himself on deck, upright, behind the mast, and kept up a constant tire upon the Indians with his unerring rifle. As Ave lay aground we could see him over our heads through the hatches, which were left open for the smoke to escape — and ever and anon he would cry out " Ca-pe-tain, g — d d — m, nusser Ingin dead — wh-o-o-p!" And there the fellow stood during the whole fight, behind a mast scarce- ly two inches in diamster larger than himself, he almost denuded and all the time yeUing defiance to his foes. Agreeable to previous orders, Taylor continued doAvn the river the next day, and at the foot of the loAver rapids erected Fort Johnson, a strong stockade work, which commanded the channel of the river for several miles, and effectually secured the lower country from any apprehension of a visit by the enemy. Upon the completion of the Fort, the regulars were left to man it, and the volunteers returned to St. Louis. In a convesation held many years subsequently, with Ke-o-cock, the head chief now of the Sauke tribe, who Avas in the engagement and quite a young man at the time, I learnt that the killed and wounded at the island and Avhere the canoes were destroyed, amounted to more than three hundred, Avhich so crippled the Sauke and Fox tribes, that they never assembled in any force after — and that the British troops returned to Prairie de Chien, Avhich they evacuated and burnt. Thus was St. Louis protected, and the country reUeved from danger, by as gallant and chivalrous a soldier as ever breathed the breath of life. ANECDOTES OF GENERAL TAYLOR. GEN. TAYLOR'S SCHOOLMASTER. At the present time, when whatever relates to the history of our puL»hc men, whether in military or civil stations^ is of interest^ perhaps it may not be uninteresting to state that the schoolmdstcr of Gen. Taylor, the hero of the late brilliant victory over a greatly superior force of the Mexican army, resides in the town of Preston, near this city. The news of Gen. Taylor's bravery enkindles in the old gentleman's bosom a degree of patriotism which causes him to enter into the subject of our difficulties with Mexico, with all the ardor of youth, and to look with patriotic interest for what- ever may relate to the glory and fame of one, who, when a lad, was placed under his care and in- struction. Elisha Ayres, Esq., is the name of the per- son to whom we refer. He left the town of Pres- ton in 1787, or thereabouts, and pursued his way southward, on horseback, in quest of business. Much that is interesting, connected with his travels and experience, we might relate, as repeated by the old gentleman himself to us, but we simply intend to refer to the circumstance of his being the tutor of Zachary Taylor. Mr. A. established himself as a teacher in the county of Jefferson, near Louisville, Ky. Here he became acquainted with Col. Richard Taylor, who had removed from the State of Virginia, and at that time was col- lector at the port of Louisville. He resided in the family of Col. Taylor a portion of the time, and had placed under his charge two of his sons, named Hancock and Zachary — the first named about eight years of age, and the last about six. He speaks of Zachary as being a smart boy, who gave promise of usefulness, and relates with much satisfaction, various incidents and anecdotes con- nected with the family and the times of that pe- riod. — JYarvjich ( Ct.) JVcios. VIGOR, COURAGE AND MANHOOD OF OLD ROUGH AND READY. The Louisville Journal says : — When General Taylor was a young man, he and an older brother, William, long since dead, swam from the Ken- tucky shore across the Ohio river to the Indiana shore, and back again without resting. The feat was performed in the month of March, when the river was swollen and chill. It gready surpassed the famous one of swimming the Hellespont, which is about a mile across, and of delightful temperature. The Taylors were not accompanied by a boat, as Byron was when he swam the Hel- lespont, which makes all the difference in the world. One winter when Gen. Taylor was sta- tioned at Prairie du Chien, he used to walk every morning from his lodgmgs to the barracks, without a great coat, when the thermometer was forty de- srees beloAv zero. 4 GEN. TAYLOR IN HIS TENT. A correspandent of the Philadelphia Inquirer, Avriling from the Brazos de Santiago, says : " On the 26th, a friend of mine visited General Taylor in the camp of Point Isabel, where he had established his depot for stores in the armv. On landing, the scene presented was quite a wild one, and reminded one of the accounts we have receiv- ed of an Arab encampment. There were three or four hundred dragoons in the camp, with their horses picketed about ; besides an immense num- ber of wagons, mules and oxen. On stepping ashore, an officer conducted my friend to the General's tent. He was introduced to a very plain, shabbily dressed old gentleman, of rather small stature, about sixty years of age, and who looked, by his hardy appearance, as if he had been camping out all his life. " This was the commander-in-chief of the army of occupation. He has been 38 years in service on the frontiers of our country. One of his offi- cers remarked that ' old as he is, he bears the fa- tigues and privations of the campaign better than any one under him.' He was affable, dignified, and in excellent spirits. His tent was no larger and no better than those of the other officers, and his table was his camp chest, in which he carried ms cooking utensils, &c. His plates were tin pans, and his cups (no saucers of course) tin pan- nikins. A small supply of brown sugar was kept in a tin canister, and not a piece of crockery was to be seen. A party of six was thus entertained in homely style, and they all seemed to enjoy it abundantly." PERSONAL APPEARANCE OF GEN. TAYLOR. The following, it is said, is a rude, but accurate description of General Taylor : One of the returned volunteers who fought un- der Gen. Taylor at Monterey, has furnished us with a leaf of his diary, describing the personal appearance and manners of the great hero. We insert it here for the benefit of our readers : " The hero of Buena Vista, around whose mili- tary brow so many chaplets of fame have been thrown, presents in his personal appearance many of those striking stamps of nature, which mark the gentleman and the officer. Of an average medium height, being about five feet and nine inches, he inclines to a heaviness of frame and general well- developed muscular outUne, whh some tendency to corpulency j of square build, he now inclines to stoop ; and from the great equestrian exercise the nature of liis fife has led him necessarily to undergo, his inferior extremities are somewhat bowed. His expansive chest shows him capable of undergoing that vast fatigue through which he has passed amid the hammocks and savannahs of 50 ANECDOTES OF GENERAL TAYLOR. Flo-i-^i. ^nf^ tho still more recent fields of Mexico. His iVtce IS expressive orarance and habits, have become a subject of universal fame. It is curious that a soldier, so C'minent in all qualhies of discpline, should be so ciii/.en-looking in his own appear- ance. A curious scene occurred at Point Isabel, at the time Commodore Conner appeared offthiit place with his fleet to give succor to the " army of occupation." Commodore (,'onner is a naval officer that is not only strict in his dress, but has a Phihidelphia nicftv alvMif it. Hp appears in full and splendid uniform on all public occasions, be- ing the exact opposite in this particular of Gen. Taylor. At the proper time. Commodore Conner sent word to Gen. Taylor that he would come ashore to pay him a visit of ceremony. This put old " Rough and Ready " into a tremendous excite- ment. If Com. Conner had quietly come up to his tent, and given him a sailor's grip, and sat down on a camp chest and talked over matters in the old-fashioned way, Gen. Taylor would have been prepared; but to have the most carefully dressed oflicer in our navy, commanding the finest fleet, to come in full uniform, surrounded by all the glittering pomp of splendid equipments, to pay a visit of ceremony, was more than Gene- ral Taylor had, without some effort, nerve to go through with; but, ever equal to emergencies, he determined to compliment Commodore Conner, and through him the navy, by appearing infuU uniform — a thing his officers associated with him for years had never witnessed. In the meanwhile. Com. Conner was cogitating over the most proper way to compliment General Taylor. Having heard of his peculiar disregard of military dress, he concluded he Avould make the visit in a manner comporting to General Tay- lor's habits, and consequently equipped himself in plain white drilling, and, unattended, came ashore. The moment old " Rough and Ready " heard that Commodore Conner had landed, he abandon- ed some heavy work he was personally attending to about the camp, and precipitately rushed into his tent, delved to the bottom of an old chest, and pulled out a uniform coat, that had peacefully slumbered for years in undisturbed quietude, slip- ped himself into it, in his haste fastened it so that one side of the standing collar was three button holes above the other, and sat himself down as un- comfortable as can well be imagined. With quiet step, and unattended. Commodore Conner pre- sented himself at General Taylor's tent; the two soldiers shook hands, both in exceeding astonish- ment at each other's personal appearance. The wags in the army say, that the above con- tains the only authentic account where Gen. Tay- lor was ever headed, and that since that time he has taken to linen roundabouts of the largest di- mensions, with more pertinacity than ever. GEN- GENERAL TAYLOR AND THE TLEMAN'S SON." Among the volunteers was a "gentleman's son" — a full private, who, heartily sick of rainy weather, mud, and no shelter, first Avent to his captain with his complaints, but meeting with no particular sympathy, resolved to have a talk with General Taylor himself. Arrived at the com- mander's quarters, the General was pointed out to him, but he was rather incredulous. " That oUl fellow General Taylor? Nonsense!" Satis- fied, however, that such was even the case, h6 marched up, and rather patronizingly opened his business. ANECDOTES Oif GENEKAL TAYLOR, 51 " General Taylor, I believe." "Yes, sir." " Well, General, I'm devilish glad to see you — am, indeed." The General returned the civility. '* General, you'll excuse me, but since I've been here I've been doing all I could for you — have, in- deed ; but the fact is, the accommodations are very bad — they are, indeed; mud, sir! bkeged to lie down in it, actually ; and the fact is. General, I'm a gentleman's son, and not used to it!" The General, no doubt deeply impressed with the fact of having a gentleman's son 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 hour's sleep — a cot, or a bunk, or any thing- would be so refreshing ! You're place — where is it. General?" " 0,justdrop down — anytohere 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 "gentle- man's son " returned to take his chance of the weather, "LET US RIDE A LITTLE NEARER!" General Taylor was sitting on his horse in the thickest of the fight, with his sword drawn, while the balls were ratthng around him. Col. C , the amiable sutler of the 4th, and formerly mayor of Augusta, and well known for his courage and kindness of disposition, remarked to him that it was getting rather hot, and proposed to him to re- tire a little. " Let's ride a little nearer, the halls will fall behind us!" was the General's reply. GEN. JACKSON'S FORESIGHT AND OPINION OF GEN. TAYLOR. Greneral Jackson, in his last sickness, occupied his mind to a very great degree Avith the subject of the annexation of Texas ; as his bodily strength failed him, it seemed as if his mind grew stronger .impressed with the matter. A distinguished cler- gyman well known for his piety, called on Gen. Jackson — the conversation, against the clergy- man's wishes, turned upon the annexation of Texas. After a variety of remarks, the clergy- man observed that he was afraid that the annexa- tion would lead to war with the European powers. General Jackson still persisted in pursuing this fa- vorite strain of thought, when the followhig con- versation ensued : Clergyman. — We should be careful. General, how we involve the country in war, because now that you have retired from public life, we have no great military commander to take the field. General Jackson. — We have a commander per- fectly competent. The clergyman expressingf surprise at the cop- fidence of General Jackson's remark, enquired where the people were to luuk for tlial man? The General unhesitatingly said : " JjOid doirn on the Mississippi, in the person of Col. Zac. Tay- lor." GEN. TAYLOR AT RESACA. A good story is told of old " Rough and Ready," who accompanied Gen. Wortli's Brigade to Sal- tillo, in connection with the march into that place. As they approached within a few miles of it, they were met by a courier fmm the Alcade, or chief governor of the city, who presented to the General a very formidable looking despatch. A; halt was called, and the General's interpreter wasr ordered to give a translation of the document. It •. opened with an expostulation of the injustice of. the war on the part of the Americans — alleged! that it was prosecuted for the purposes of con-^ quest, rapine and plunder — protested against the' further advance of the General's forces — threaten-,' ed him with the retribution that must follow, and. but the General stopped the translator in the middle of a sentence, with — "Are you through, sir?" "No," was the reply, "I have not read half of it, yet." "O, I'll hear no more of it," said the General;! "March!" Reordered the bugler to sound the; advance, and again the column was in motion. ■> HE NEVER FOUGHT A BATTLE! '! When the army last summer was at Matamo^'' ras, a Mr. Reeder 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 Presidency.* The old General's reply was characterisfic. " Mr. Reeder, I don't want it — I have no other or higher ambition than to remain at the head of my little army. I have always considered myself an hon- est man — my neighbors 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 rne as they said of Gen. Harrison, that I never was within two miles of a field of battle." GEN. TAYLOR'S TITLES. We find on examinaUon, says the New Or- leans National, that General Taylor has as many titles as the Duke of Wellington, and they all de- signate some great event in the history, of some striking peculiarity of his mind. They have been conferred by different sovereigns of the United States and foreign potentates at diS'erent times, and when General Taylor is in full dress, with their insignia hanging across his breast, it makes him look hke a plain old gentleman of the olden time, that does the people good to look at. Mr. Marcy calls him, " Major General Taylor, commanding." The people generally, " old Rough and Ready." The Mexicans, " Don Zachary." 62 ANECDOTES OF GENERAL XAYLORt The teamsters in the array, " The Old Man." The mechanics and artists in the army, " The Old Boss." The Mexican women, " Mucha Buena." Sarita Anna, " Old fool, don't know when he is whipped." Gen. Scott, "My dear, dear General." The Sovereigns, " Our next President of the U. States." ANECDOTES OF GENERAL TAYLOR AND THE VOLUNTEERS IN THE BLACK HAWK WAR. We Avill relate an anecdote of General Taylor, Avhich we once heard, amid the early scenes of the Black Hawk war on Rock River, and which seems most characteristic of the Rough and Ready of later years. Some time after Stillman's defeat by Black Hawk's band, Taylor, marching with a large body of volunteers and a handful of regu- lars in pursuit of the hostile Indian force, found himself approaching Rock River, then asserted by many to be the true north-western boundary of the State of Illinois. The volunteers, as Taylor Avas 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 acknow- ledged boundaries of Illinois. He Avould not, as the relator of the story said, budge an inch further without orders. He had already driven Black Hawk out of the State, but the question of cross- ing Rock River seemed hugely to trouble his ideas cf 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 some time very quietly to the proceed- ings, it became Rough and Ready's turn to ad- dress 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 reali- ty, he was persuaded that many of them would ia a few years be his superiors, and perhaps, in the capacity of M(!mbers of Congress, arbiters of the fortune and reputation of humble servants of tlie Republic like himself. He exjx'Cled then to obey them as interpreters of the Avill of the peo- ple ; 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 English, gentlemen and fellow-citizens, the Avord has been passed on to me from Washington to follow Black Hawk, and to take you Avith me as soldiers. I mean to do both. There are the llal-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 Avay those militia-men sloped into those flat- boats was a caution. Not another Avord was said. Had Zack Taylor been Avith Van Renselaer at Niagara River, in the last Avar, I rayther think he'd a taught him hoAV to get mihtia-men over a ferry." Taylor, as is Avell knoAvn, did follow Black Hawk through the prairies of Northern Illinois — through the Avooded gorges, the rocky fells, the plashy rice pools, the hitherto unbroken Avilderness of western Wisconsin. The mditia-men gave out from day to day ; the country became impassable to horses, and the volunteer settlers Avho had first seized arms merely to repel an Indian foray, re- fused to submit their backs to the necessary bur- dens in carrying their own supplies through the deep swamps and almost impervious forests. At last the very Indians themselves, Avhom Taylor thus desperately pursued from day to day and week to Aveek, began to sink from fatigue and ex- haustion : they Avere found by our men stretched beside their trails, while yet the good Anglo-Nor-; man blood of Taylor's band held out amid suffer- ings in the wilderness Avhich the child of the forest himself could not endure. The battle of the Bad- Axe, and the rout of Black HaAvk by Taylor, at length tenninated this arduous march. The steamer bearing Atkinson and his reinforce- ments, reached the junction of the Bad-Axe and the Mississippi, j ust as the encounter Avas over, and we believe brought Taylor along with his prisoners back to Fort Crawford, AA'here, after landing the former, she passed on to St. Louis. When Ave remember the complimentary reception which Black HaAvk met with all along our At- lantic border, hoAV strange it seems that AA'hen the name of his captor Avas mentioned as the hero of Okeechoobee, his countrymen asked, "Avho is this Col. Taylor that has just been brevetted a Briga- dier?" Even as it was afterAvards asked concern- ing the Hero of the Rio Bravo, "Avho is this Brigadier Taylor who has so brilliantly earned the brevet of Major-General?" One might noAV, without extravagance, venture to predict that the captor of Black Hawk is as Avell knoAvn as Avas that Avarrior himself; and that he Avould probably be received by the people in a progress through- out the country, with demonstrations of affection and respect, at least equal to those which Avere showered upon the Avily Sauk chief, the but too successful rival of the chivalrous, and loyal, and neglected Keokuk. TAYLOR AND HARD FARE. When Gen. Taylor Avas on his way to Ncav Orleans, on one of our Mississippi river packets, just previous to his departure for Corpus Christi, a gentleman, a Avay-passenger, came on board of the boat, and AA^nt to the clerk's oflice for a state- room. The clerk informed him that all Avere taken, and that he Avould have to content himself Avith an upper berlk. The gentleman assented, and, after seeing his name duly entered, he Avalk- ANECDOTES OF GENERAL TAYLOR. 53 ed into the cabin, when it struck him, he would find out who occupied the lower berth of his state room; steppinj? into the clerk's office, he read — "Lower, Z. Taylor, Baton Rouge." "Is this Brigadier General Taylor, of the U. S. Army'?" he said to the clerk : " I ask because 1 have some curiosity to know who is my room mate, and, more particularly, if it is General Taylor." The clerk satisfied him that such was the fact, when our traveller entered into conversation with the old veteran. Our friend was a planter, and old Zack appeared, by his conversation, to have beat- en his SAVord into a ploughshare ; for he talked about planting, and the crops, and the civil gov- ernment of our country, and appeared to be as ignorant of our army as if he had never seen it. At a reasonable bed-time, old Zack retired. After a while oar traveller went into the state-room, and, to his surprise, found the broad mattrass of the lower berth unoccupied — and looking, discov- ered General Taylor sleeping in the upper berth. The young man, surprised, regretted what he con- ceived to be a mistake, and in the morning ex- pressed his regrets at what had happened. — "Pooh, pooh!" yaid the old General, laughing, *•' don't you know I am the youngest, and more used to hard fare than you are!" GENERAL TAYLOR AND HIS STATE CARRIAGE. The 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 " glorious war," he had his weakness, and it displayed itself in his state carriage. This magnificent vehicle was one of the last purchases the old soldier made ere he started for the wars. It was none of these high-backed, four-horse, soft-cushioned, coat-of-arms panelled affairs, such as Martin Van Buren imported from England to ride when he was President, but it was, in vulgar parlance, a Jersey wagon, and one of the ugliest and most inconvenient ones ever sent out i'rom 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 that no one would buy it, and it was sent out to New Orleans to sell. Now, old Zack looked at it, and it struck Ms fancy as one of the most luxuriant, strong axle-tree, hard-seated, low backed, first-rate carriages that ever was made; so he bought it, shipped it, and in due time landed it at Corpus Christi. It was evidently General Taylor's pet; he kept it stand- ing right up beside Ringgold's and Duncan's bat- teries, as if he would have sons of thunder blaze sway at any body that did not say it was the great- est 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 start- ed to Matamoras from Corpus Christi, it was made the carrier of the old General's chest, and the celebrated over-coat that sot woimded atBue- na Vista. After the battles of the 8th and 9th, a change for two hours and fifty-seven minutes came over hLs feehngs — 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 militfiry carriage, and started from Point Isabel to Mata- moras, to complete his victories by driving Arista from that town. No record was ever made when he resumed his old grey, but long before half the distance was completed, a sick soldier was in the General's place, and he himself was again on horseback. Nothing of an cxcitins: nature oc- curred 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 honored. It went up to Monterey, and finally down to Victoria. When the General was order- ed back from his march to Vera Cruz, the old wagon looked exceedingly surly, and its wheels screeched awfully. On this trip it met with a sad disaster. A drunken teamster run his baggage wagon into it, tore the hind wheels off, and other- wise laid it in ruins. Now, the old General had philosophy enough to pocket, without repining, the orders that were humiliating to his pride; but he had not philosophy enough to pocket the de- struction 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) way from Corpus Christi." The excitement passed away, the old General cast a lingering glance at the ruins of his pet, and left it to decay beside the road. — JV. O. Kalional. GEN. TAYLOR AND THE BARREL OF ICE. The Mississippi Volunteers relate an anecdote illustrating General Taylor's characteristic good- ness of heart. Soon after the battle of Resaca, and during the excessively hot weather, from which officers and men suffered severely, some gentleman sent General Taylor for his private use a barrel of ice, and a quantity of delicious claret. The precious burthen was deposited at the Gene- ral's tent, with a note from the donor, after po- htely acknowledging which the old hero caused the head of the barrel to be knocked out, and, taking for his own use a lump as large as his fist, sent the whole of the remainder, and the claret, to the hospital, for the pse of the sick soldiers. This is but one instance, out of many, of the considerate and self-sacrificing generosity and humanity of General Taylor's character. ASLEEP ON DECK! The General had occasion to visit Point Isal>el, after the battle of Buena Virsa, and the Captain of the steamboat had reserved a suit of state-rooms for the General's accommodation. There were several sick and wounded volunteers on the boat, en route for New Orleans, who had to take the wayfare incident to a crowded boat, and particu- larly so on this occasion. General Taylor soon saw all this, and at once ordered these men to be placed in his state-rooms and proper attention paid them. It was rather a cold, rainy day when Bi ANECDOTES OF OEiVERAL TAYLOR. this occurred. The deck hands and many others on the boat did not know General Taylor. The wind blew high, and the hremen had raised a sail in front of the boilers to protect themselves from the rain, and under this sail there were some old mattresses; here General Taylor laid down and and went to sleep. At supper time great inqui- ries were made for the general, and servants sent off to look him up. But he could not be found ! At last some one, going below, inquired of a fire- man if he had seen anything of such and such a man — the fireman said no, but added, '* there is a clever old fellow asleep there under the sail, in front of the fire!" It was General Taylor. Yes, sweet indeed must have been the sleep of such a man who has the heart to change places with the poor sick soldier, as Taylor did on this occasion ; such humanity stands out in bold relief, and great- ly mitigates the evils incident to war, WHO WROTE HIS DESPATCHES. The Hagerstown Torchlight publishes a state- ment which was received from an officer of the Army, a classmate of Col. Davis of Mississippi, establishing the fact that Old Rough-and-Ready writes all his depatches. It has generally been understood that those which the old hero has issued since he has been in Mexico were written by his aid. Major Bliss, but such is not the case. The Torchlight says : "In conversation with General Gibson, of the United States Army, now stationed at Washing- ton, our friend asked the question if Major Bliss did not write the despatches. The old General's eye sparkled with indignation, and he replied that he had served with General Taylor upon thirteen Court Martials, and that he (General T.) had been selected by each Court to draw up its Re- port, because of his ability in composition — that all were willing to accede to him the faculty of expressing in the clearest, strongest, and most for- cible manner, the views of the Court, and hence he was uniformly selected for this purpose. *• General Gibson also stated, that in Florida, a misunderstanding arose between Gen. Twiggs and General Taylor, from a remark made by the latter in regard to some military operations of the form er. A corresponence ensued, which proved perfectly satisfactory to General Twiggs. One of CJeneral Taylor's communications, in which he gave, at large, his views of the m'atter in dispute, reached Washington, and, as General Gibson re- marked, was regarded by the gentlemen of the army as one of the most powerful military pro- ductions they had ever seen. This communica- tion seems to have foreshadowed the despatches Avhose fame has spread over Europe and our country. '• One of the peculiarities of General Taylor's style of writing was also noted. Instead of leav- ing, as is customary, a margin at the top and side of the sheet. General Taylor commences at the extreme limit, and fills the sheet so completely, that, as our informant observed, it is impossible lo crowd in, anywhere, evtn a little i. This seems to be one of the many pecuharitics of " Rough and Ready." INCIDENTS OF THE BATTLE FIELD. The New Orleans Delta, of the 9th, contains a long and interesting letter from Point Isabel, May 20th. After speaking of the battle of the 8th, the writer says : "The first care of general Taylor was to visit the wounded and see that every comfort was sup- plied — the constant and well directed energies of the medical department left but little for him to do ; every one, whether officer or soldier, had been attended with unwavering care and watchfulness. The troops having partaken of their meal, the order was given to get the command under arms. General Taylor here summoned a council of war, composed of the heads of the different commands, in all thirteen, excluding the commander in chief. The general, after returning thanks for their sup- port and bravery on the 8th, and wishing to be advised as to what they thought best to be done, called on each to give his opinion. It was then ascertained that but four out of the thirteen were in favor of going ahead ; the other officers com- posing the council voted, some to entrench Avhere they were and await the assistance of the volun- teers, and others to retire at once to Point Isabel, but the general said, "'livill be at Fort Brown before night, if Hive!" GEN. TAYLOR'S LITERARY TALENTS. The following passage occurs in the recently published life of Gen. Greene. The incidental compHmeut to the old General, and the parallel which is here alluded to between Greene and Taylor, is dehcately and happily done. After alluding to the early scenes in the life of Greene, the writer says : "When removed to an independent command in the Southern country, Greene at once asserted his claim to the unhesitating honors of a grateful country, and the correspondence, presently to be resumed, will show through what difficulties and embarrassments he fought his way, and how reso- lutely he overcame them all. To Mr. Reed, he wrote in the confidence of the most confiding friendship, and in what he writes, either to his confidential friends or his oflicial superiors, no one can fail being struck with the simple and manly style in which he expresses himself — the homely, plain English, that best of idioms formerly thought, telling his own story in the most direct form, without a superfluous word or attempt to adorn the simple and stern realities Avhich he described. Gen. Greene's despatches from South Carolina during the campaign of 1781, are worthy of the same praise which, by common consent, at the moment that 1 am writing, is bestowed on the pubhc and private letters from the conqueror of Monterey and Ruena Vista. The curious inquirer may find a further and closer parallel between these gallant men, the soldiers of America's un- pretending chivalry, in the embarrassments which perplexed their military career, and in the honors Avon at a comparatively late period of their pro- fessional lives. One might have passed away unknown and uncared for in some distant frontier garrison, with no higher function than to watch A.NBCDOTES OF ORIfERAL TATtOIt 05 transplanted Indians, but for the accidental neces- 1 sily or motives of policy, which led to his appoint- ment to the Mexican frontier ; and Greene would have been comparatively unknown to fame, but ^ for his promotion in the last year of the Revolu- | tion, to the command in the Carolinas. Such are the accidents that lead to the development and illustration of ffenius." DISREGARD OF PERSONAL DANGER. At the time Gen. Taylor was conducting the Florida war against the Seminoles, he became re- markable among the Indians for his singular dis- regard of danger. He never hesitated to move about unattended, and generally, when riding out on important business, he kept a mile or two ahead of his escort. No matter how many Indians were prowling about, the old General seemed uncon- scious 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 trouble some to our troops. Gen. Taylor announced his determination to go from Fort King to Tampa Bay, Avhich journey would take him through near- ly one hundred miles of hostile country. This jaunt was considered by every body as a most desperate adventure. The morning for starting came, when old Zack's travelling companions. Major Bliss and a young lieutenant began to look wistfully around for an escort. In due time six dragoons, all saddled and bridled, made their ap- pearance ; there was a force to meet several thou- sand wilv 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 appear- ance of the six dragoons attentively for a moment, and then remarked, if the number was not suf- ficient, two mm-e might be added to it. was very inquisitive, and among other things, asked our olficer what excuse he intended to malie for his delay in reporting himself to the Gene- ral. "O," said the officer, "they say Taylor is a very easy old soul, and I can easily make up an excuse." On going to bed that night, the officer asked the landlord who that impudent, inquisitive old fellow was ? "Why," said the host, "don't you know General Taylor 1" About an hour afterwards, at midnight, the tramp of a horse's feet was heard, maldng large tracks towards head quarters. GEN. TAYLOR AND THE YOUNG OFFICER IN FLORIDA. A correspondent of the Pennsylvania Inquirer relates the following anecdote of the commander of the "Army of Invasion." "This morning I heard a Httle incident respect- ing Gen. Taylor, which, at the present time, will be interesting. During the Florida campaign, a certain young officer, after receiving his commis- sion, was ordered to join the army in that quarter. His first duty was of course to report himself to Gen. Taylor. After a very tedious journey, how- ever, through the woods, our officer arrived at a small shanty called a tavern, about 50 miles from head quarters, where he thought proper to stay three days. There were only two visiters there, besides himself. One of them, and oldish, shab- by looking man, with a black hat, minus a part if the crown, and a piece of crown for n ribband. f "OLD ROUGH 4.ND READY." We have heard several very good anecdotes re- lated of Gen. Taylor, by a gentleman who served under him in Florida. The following is one of the number : During the war with the Seminoles, the army was frequently supplied with corn which had become damaged by exposure to damp air. Gen. Tavlor had a horse which was called 'Clay- bank,' a very good animal, but he did not particu- larly fancy Uncle Sam's musty rations. The general used to partake of the same fare as the soldiers under him, and so did 'Clay-bank,' so far as the corn was concerned, but he was a little dainty. The general was very fond of hominy, and musty corn made anything but a pleasant diet. He would not lay himself liable to the suspicion of 'picking,' to the prejudice of the soldiers, so old 'Clay-bank' would be let loose among the sacks of corn, and after smelling very carefully, the sagacious animal would commence gnawing a hole mto one which pleased him. The general would watch the manceuvre until he saw 'Clay- bank' had made a choice, then, calling his servant, would direct him to have 'Clay-bank' stabled im- mediately, 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 and make a dish of hominy.' The trick was played several times, but by and by it became known that whenever 'Clay-bank' gnawed into a sack, sweet corn was to be found, and the incident be- came a standing joke during the war. ORIGIN OF THE PHRASE, "OLD ROUGH AND READY." " Old RouiiH and Ready," by which cogno- men General Taylor was designated in debate, a few days since, in the United States Senate, was acquired by him during his campaign in Florida, and is sufficiently characteristic of the man. — Though one of the best disciplinarians, he is but slighdy attentive to his own costume, and would hardly be recognized by lace or feathers as a gen- eral, in the moment of an action. " Boys," said the general, coolly riding into the hollow square into which the infantry was throv/n during the battle of the 9th of May, in order to receive the charge of the Mexican cavalry — " Boys, I will place myself in your square," and there wit- nessed the assault' and repulse, as if the regiment was merely mantpuvering for parade. \ 56 ANECDOTES OP GENERAL TAYLOR. COURAGE. On the 25th of December, 1836, Col. Taylor, ai the head of a detachment of about 500 men, composed of the 1st, 4tli and 6th regiments of U. S. Infantry and some Missouri volunteers, met about 7U0 Indians, under Alligator, Sam Jones, and Coa-coo-che, on the banks of the O'ke-cho- hee. This battle was sought by the Indians, for the day before the engagement. Col. Taylor re- ceived a challenge from Alligator, telling him where to find him, and bantering him to come on. Col. Taylor desired nothing better, and imme- diately pushed on, at a rapid march, to the ex- pected battle ground, fearful that the wily In- dian might change his purpose. The Indians had a sti-ong position, in a thick swamp, covered in front by a small stream, whose quicksands ren- dered it almost impassable, but Col. T. pushed through the quicksands and swamps, in the face of a deadly fire from a concealed foe, driving the Indians before him. The action was long and severe. The Indians yielding the ground inch by inch, and then only at the point of the bayonet. After three hours of bloody contest, the Indians were routed, and pursued with great slaughter until night. This was the last stand the Indians ever made, in a large body, and the only instance in which they voluntarily gave battle. Though Col. Taylor won the day, it was at an expense of 149 Idlled and wounded' — more than one-fourth of his whole force. Two colonels (Col. Thompson, of the 5th Infantry, and Col. Gentry, of the Mis- souri Volunteers,) fell at the head of the troops. Capt. Van Swearingen, and Lieutenants Brooke and Carter, also fell in the engagement. During the whole of the engagement. Colonel Taylor remained on horseback, passing from point to point, cheering his men to the conflict, and ex- posed to the Indian rifle every moment. The spirit with which the commander and all his forces entered into the conflict, was exhibited in some verses written on the occasion, by a soldier. •'There's battle in yon hammock black, There's lightning in yon cloud, Hark! hark! to the music, comrades dear, For the Indian yell is loud ; For the Indian yell is loud., my boys, And the rifle's flash is free , But the field of battle is our home, And happy, happy men are we ; And happy men are -we,"&c. For this battle, Mr. Poinsett, Secretary of War, rendered merited praise to all engaged, in his com- munication to Congress. The brevet of Briga- dier General was conferred on Col. Taylor, and he was given the chief command in Florida; which he resigned in 1840, after four or five years of indefatigable service in the swamps and ham- mocks of Florida. GENERAL TAYLOR ON THE FIELD OF BATTLE. Lieut. Corwin writes to the Cincinnati Chroni- cle, and gives the following interesting sketch of General Taylor on the battle-field of Buena Vista : " By way of illustrating an important charac- teristic of Gen. Taylor, to wit, ' determination,' I will briefly relate a saene that occurred on the battle-ground of Buena Vista, during the action of the 23d. At a time when the fortunes of the day seemed extremely problematical — when many on our side even despaired of success — old Rouga and Ready, as he is not inaptly styled, whom you must know, by-the-bye, is short, fat, and dumpy in person, with remarkably short legs — 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 posi- tion, 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 last- ed for some time. All the while. Gen. Taylor was a silent spectator, his countenance exhibiting 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 posi- tion If the day went against him, he was irre- trievably lost ; if for him, he could rejoice in com- mon with his countrymen, at the triumphant suc- cess of our arms. ''' Such seemed to be his thoughts — his deter- mination. And when he eaw the enemy give way and retreat in the utmost confusion, he gave free vent to his pent up feehngs. His right leg was quickly disengaged from the pummel of the saddle, where it had remained during the whole of the fierce encounter — his arms, which Avere calmly folded over his breast, relaxed their hold — his feet fairly danced in the stirrups — his whole body was in motion. It was a moment of the most intense and exciting interest. His face was suffused with tears. I'he day was won — the victory complete — his litde army saved the dis- grace 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 resvlt. — Long may the noble and kind-hearted old hero live to enjoy the honors of his numerous brilhant victories, and many other honors that a grateful country will ere long bestow upon him." From the JV. O. Picayune. THE KENTUCKY REGIMENT. AN INCIDENT AT THE BATTLE OF BUENA VISTA. At a very critical point of the battle on the 23d, when it became necessary to sustain one of our columns, which was staggering under a charge made by the Mexicans in overwhelming num- bers. General Taylor despatched Mr. Crittenden to order Colonel McKee, of the 2d Kentucky Re- giment, to bring his men into immediate action. Mr. Crittenden found the regiment, men and offi- cers, eager for the fray, delivered the order an(' ANECDOTES OF GENERAL TAYLOR. 57 rode back to the general, by whose side it was his duty to keep. The Kentuckians moved forward in gallant style, led by McKee and Clay, both of whom, alas! fell in a subsequent part of the day. It so hap- pened that before reaching a position from which they could deliver an effective fire, the regiment had to cross a valley which was broken up by ravine and masses of stoiie. Whilst crossing this valley the heads only of the men could be seen from the point which Gen. Taylor and Mr. Crittenden occupied— and these were bobbing up and down and crosswise in such confusion as to impress both with the idea that the regiment liad fallen into disorder. The Mexicans were annoying them at the same moment by a fire, which helped to confirm the opinion of the general that the Kentuckians were thrown into dis- may. It was one of those decisive crises which occur m every contested field, when the issue of the day de- pended, for the time being, upon the gallantry of a particular corps. Gen. Taylor, who, as before said, could only see the heads of the troops, and misled by their motions in getting across gullies and going around rocks and other obstructions into the belief that they were about to falter, turned to Mr. Crittenden, who is a Kentuckian, and with a countenance indicating deep mortification, for the general is a Kentuckian too, and an eye fierce with emotion, exclaimed, " Wr. I Crittenden, this will not do— this is not the way for i Kentuckians to behave themselves when called upon to make good a battle — it will not answer, sir ;" and with this he clenched his teeth and knit his brow and set his teeth hard together. Mr Crittenden, who was mistaken by the same indications that de- ceived the general, could scarcely make a reply from very cha.;jrin and shame. In a few moments, I however, the Kentuckians had crossed the uneven places and were seen ascending the slope of tlie val- ley, shoulder to shoulder, and with the firm and re- gular steps of veterans of a hundred fields. On they moved until they reached the crest of the hill where they met the enemy before the flush of a temporary advantage had subsided. Here they delivered their fire by companies with such regularity and deadly aim that the decimated phalanx of Mexico gave way and retreated precipitously. As the Kentuckians emerged from the valley the countenance of the general, who was regarding them with theintensest interest, gradually relaxed the bitterness of its ex- pression. A glow of pride supplanted the deep mor- tification which fixed its muscles, and enthusiasm qualified tlie fierce glances of his eye. Forward they moved under his rivetted gaze, whose feelings became more wrought up as they approached the scene of carnage. VVhen they opened their fire the general could no longer restrain his admiration, but broke forth with a loud h.uzza. " Hurrah for old Kentuck," he exclaimed, talking as it were to him- self and raising in his saddle — " That's the way to do it; give it to them my brave boys!'' and the tears of exultation rolled down his cheeks as he said it. Having got rid of this ebullition of State pride he went looking after other parts of the field. Some of our readers may regard this incident, which we derive from one of the parties concerned, as savoring more of profanity than generalship ; but it must be borne in mind that under the excitement of such terrible scenes of havoc and bloodshed, those engaged in them use the name of the God of Battles with some degree of familiarity. NEGOTIATION. Generals Ampudia akd Taylor. — The New Or- leans Delta says that the interview between Gens. Taylor and Ampudia, in relation to the capitulation of Monterey, has been described to its editors hy a gentleman who was present, as a very rich scene, in which the two chief actors were in fine con- trast. Ampudia was all courtesy and fine words, big speeches, great volubility, with an abundance of gesticulations, shrugs, nods, alternate smiles and frowns, and that whole catalogue of silent language, with wliich persons of French origin are wont to help the expression of their ideas. Gen. Ampudia is of a French family, and was born in the West In- dies. Gen. Taylor, on the other hand, was as dry as a chip, as plain as a pipe-stem, and as short as pie- crust. Dressed in his best coat, (which by the by looks as if it had served some h:tlf a doz.;n cam- paigns,) with his glazed oil cloth cap, strapless pants, and old fashioned white vest, he looked more like an old farmer, lately elected militia colonel, who had put on his every day snit, v/ith the slight- est imaginable sign of military toggery, to distin- guish him frum a crowd of mere civilians. In his reply to Ampiulia's long harrangucs, he used such direct, blunt and emphatic language, that the valor- ous Mexican was thrown all aback and "had nothing to say." Ampudia opened the interview by stating that his forces were too large to be conquered by Gen. Tay- lor's army— that he had an abundance of ammuni- tion, 700U infantry and 3000 cavalry, Avith 40 can- non, and the best artillerists in the world — that his loss was very small — and he felt confident he cowld defend the city against a much stronger force than that under Gen. Taylor's command — but that from motives of humanity — to spare the effusion of blood — to save the lives of helpless women and children — he Avas willing so far to compromise the glory of the great Mexican nation as to surrender the city, provided he was allowed to retire with his whole force, and carry the public property with him, and all the arms and munitions of war. When he had finished his magnificent oration, which, in the style of his celebrate'd proclamation, was garnished with numerous allusions to the stupendous power and un- fading glory and renown of magnanimous Mexico, old Zack qui'^tly stuck his hands deep into his breeches pockets, cocked his head a little on one side, and gentlv raising his grizly eyebrows, that the bold little black eye lurking beneath might have full play upon the grandiloquent Mexican, replied in these few but expressive words: " Gen. Arnpudia, we came here to take Monterey, and we are going to do it on such terms as please us. I wish you good morning." And the old gene- ral hobbled otf on his two short little legs, leaving the Mexican general and staff in ihe profoundest bewilderment. GEN. TAYLOR'S GOOD THINGS. If General Taylor did not say the good thines that are ascribed to him, we must, give the gentlenu n who have put them in his mouth credit for an admi- rable perception of what is becoming in the mouth of a great commander. A collection of all his re- puted sayings in times of emergency would be as fine an " ana " as there is in print anywhere. His abrupt close of the conference with Ampudia, for 58 ANECDOTES OF GENERAL TAYLOR. instance, when treating for the surrender of Monte- rey, is as much to the purpose and as full of mean- ing as any thing in Wellington's despatches — " Sir, I hold you, and your town, and your army, in the hollow of my hand, and you know it. The confer- ence 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 general, who had maintained his position as long as it could be maintained, and now, having sat- isfied the demands of honor and duty to their full extent, was ready with the frankness of a soldier and a gentleman, to accept the necessity of his po- sition. But to Ampudia, neither brave nor gallant, and whiffling over a capitulatian which he knew to be inevitable, the response was as fitting as it was well timed and effective. DODGE THE BALLS! There was, on the other hand, a delicious touch of humor in the old general's acknowledgment to the " boys " who laughed at him for dodging. In the thick of the fight at Buena Vista, when the balls were flying " considerable," Gen. Taylor saw some of his men ducking their heads as the missiles whiz- zed by, and called out, " No dodging, gentlemen- soldiers never dodge." But in a few moments a twenty-four pounder came humming so near the old gentleman's nose that he involuntarily ducked his own head — whereat some of the " boys " " snick- ered right out." "Dodge the balls, gentlemen," exclaimed old Zack, as grave as a mustard pot, "dodge the balls, gentlemen, but don't run." In the same style was his quiet remark at Resaca de la Palma, where the balls made lively music too. One of them cut off a piece of his coat-tail; where- upon he drily remarked to one who was near him, " These balls are getting excited." " MAJOR BLISS AND I," OR THE NEW SUPPOUT OF ARTILLERY. The best thing the general is said to have uttered v/as also at Buena Vista. It was not 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 when the last, desperate, almost overwhelming charge 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 hur- ried 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 1 will support you." "Major Bliss and I" accordingly put spurs to their horses and took post beside the cannon. We all know what the result was. OLD ROUGH AND READY'S PONY. A correspondent of the New Orleans Picayune, writing from the army, tells the following anecdote: General Taylor's marque at Victoria was about a mile above that of General Patterson, and between the two the Tenaessee cavalry was encamped. Gen. Taylor was riding from his quarters to Gen. Patter- son's one day, upon a beautiful Mexican pony, and on his route passed close to a Tennessee trooper who was rubbing down his horse. Totally ignorant of the rank of the plainly dressed old man, and struck by the beauty of the animal, he accosted him with " Look here, stranger would'nt you like to swap that ar pony?" " No, friend," quietly responded the general; " he is a favorite nag of mine, and I do not desire to part with him." A comrade of the trooper's recognising the gene- ral, said to him in an under tone: " Bill, you fool, don't you know who you're a talkin' to.' that's Gineral Taylor." Now, Bill regarding General " Old Rough and Ready " as the greatest man on the face of the smiling earth, was terrified at finding that he had put his foot in it, and stammered out — " G-g-gineral, I-I-I did'nt know it was you — I-beg p-p-pardon, gineral." The old commander kindly offered his hand to the trooper to relieve him from his embarrassment, inquired his name and resi- dence, complimented the Tentiesseeans, telling him that he had found them the bravest of the brave, and rode quietly on. On the march of General Taylor's division from Monterey to Victoria, when encamped near a small town, this same pony was stolen, and the general immediately despatched a message to the alcalde in- forming that Avorthy functionary of the fact, and that if he was not restored he should take the alcalde's horse. The threat had the desired effect, for in a very short space of time the pony was trotted up to the general's tent " with the compliments of the al- calde." Gen. Taylors Letter Accepting the Whig Nomination. Baton Rouge, July 13th, 1848. Hon. J. M. Morehead, Greensboro', Guilford County, N. C. Sir : — I had the honor to receive your communi- cation of June 10th, announcing that the Whig Con- vention, which assembled at Philadelphia on the 7th of that month, and of which you were the presiding officer, has nominated me for the office of President of the United States. Looking to the composition of the Convention and its numerous and patriotic constituency, I feel duly grateful for the honor be- stowed upon me for the distinguished confidence ini- plied in my nomination by it, to the highest office in the gift of the American people. I cordially accept that nomination, but with the sincere distrust of my fitness to fulfil the duties of an office which demands for its exercise the most exal- ted abilities and patriotism, and which has been ren- dered illustrious by the greatest names in our his- tory ; but should the selection of the Whig Conven- tion be confirmed by the people, I shall endeavor to discharge the new duties then devolving upon me so as to meet the expectations of my fellow citizens, and preserve undiminished the prosperity and repu- tation of our common country. 1 have the honor to remain, with the highest res- pect, your most obedient servant, Z. TAYLOR. ^C <.t ^ C.C C' & ^^Al ^^ te •«'^ii -"«!?- ^c^ tc ^c? • c cc<< «. c c ^ ' ^ < CC •' ^«- c^' «^ "^ ^ «^ ^^tr^r c c «- Cc ' c