Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1834-01-02

IFSom the Providence Literary Journal.

Deacon William Taggart, who died on
the nth ultimo, at his residence in Mid
dletown, full Of years; feel it would not
now be improper to place in your col
umns, an Autograph Sketch o. his Life;
written short time only before his death,
at the request Of a gcntleman in New
York. There are several reasons why
publicity should be given to this interest,"
ing narrative. His lie was connected
with many important events IN that glo-
rious struggle which established our In
dependence; in which it seems he took
a most honorable and heroic part. 1t
cannot fail therefore, of being highly ac-
ceptable to many Of your readers; at least
TO those who stilf cherish the memory of
the brave. once saw this venerable
patriot; and never but once. This was
after he had reached his seventy ninth
year, a iew months only before his death.
In this interview, he related some of the
events which are detailed in the follow
ing sketch and when he spoke Of the
cruel death which beiel his brother, saw
that neither age or infirmites, nor dis
tance Of time, had dried up the fountains
Of fraternal affection. The tears started
in his aged ewes: but the meek, might
add, the calm and holy spirit within, soon
chased them AWAY. In a moment all
was hushed: for the spirit of peace and
resignation reigned triumphant. He
seemed as one purified and disenthralled
from the ties Of time and sense. He
seemed as one who had come out of the
furnace, bearing an "image" which he
who "sits as refner," would recog-
niZe as his own.-There was another in
cident which happened at this interview,
still more interesting. Another veteran
Of the Revolution, Of nearly the same
age, called with me to sec him one,
who had served with him in the same
glorious cause, in the same corps; whom
he had not seen for fifty years. The
meeting ofthese two companions in arms,
who soon recognized each other as fby
instinct, was truly affecting. Though
both were tottering on the confines of
eternity, they recounted their hardships,
their battles and their victories, with all
the ardor Of youthful warriors But what
rendered the meeting unspe akably JOY fu
to both; each found in the other, Chris.
tian soldier. Each was found to have
fought the "good fight" and to have
obtained that Liberty" wherewith
"Christ had made them free"
But, Mr.. Editor, the principal reason
why l wish publicity given to this sketch,
is on account Of his surviving interesting
and helpless family. He has left an a.
ged and infrm widow, and one daugh-
ter, who has long been deprived of hel
reason. But among his survivors, there
is another daughter, an object of the
deepest interest. This child has been a
prey to peculiar disease in the head
which has bafllcd all human power, il
attempts to relieve her. Her nerves arr
so affected that she never has "to shak,
the poppies from her brow. y Balmy
natural, quiet-slcep, has not visited he
pillow for the last eleven years! Endow
ed with natures richest gifts, she thu
has lived; and lived in agony the create
part of that period. And yet, from he
bed Of sorrow, she has sent forth some o
the richest poetic efi'usions; such as gen
ius would be proud to call its own. No
long since, saw one Of these in the col
umns of your paper, an code to the Pop
py," "prefaced by some judicious remarks
respecting the author. To that number
/ refer your readers, for a more particu
lar account Of her character and her sui
ferings.
But to come to the leading object {
these remarks. 1t has been proposed
print her occasional poems, collected il
to little volume; believing the publ
would be gratifed with the merits of tn
work, while it will afford them an oppo
tunity for the exercise Of charity towar,
one who is the helpless and pcnnylc
offspring Of the brave. 1t is hoped /
her friends, that all who feel that Il
memory Of the just is blessed; or that 4