New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1846-05-18
Biographical sketch of Gen. Taylor.

For the following sketch OF the military services
of Gen. Taylor, we are indebted TO the Nashville
Orlhopoli,an. Gen. Taylor is Kentuckian by
birth ard is said to have been born in 1890, which
would make him 81 years of age. According TO
the Orlhopolitan. he entered the army in ls0e, i'm
mcdately after the attack on the Chesapeake and
has been in the service OF his country from tina, time
to the present, Having entered the army a
Lieutenant OF Infantry, he had risen to the command
of company, at the beginning OF the Last Var.
For his gallan, defence OF Fort HARRISON the
18th September 1912, President Madison conferred
upon him the brevei rank Of Major, and be is now
the oldest 6Teuet in the army. In 1882 he became
the Colonel of the 9Th Infantry with this regiment
nc went 10 Florida in 1886, where he was always
foremost in danger.
On the n5,h December, 1896, Col. Taylor. al the
head Of detachment of about SO men, composed
of parts of the lsl 4th and 9th regiments Of U. s.
Infantry and some Missouri volunteers, met about
zoo Indians, under Alligator, Sam Jones and
oacoo che on the banks of the Gke-cho-bee.
This battle was sought by the Indians for the day
before the engagement Col. Taylor received o chai-
leuge from Alligator, telling bin where TO lind him.
and bantering him to come Col. Tay lor desiring
nothing better immediately pushed on nj rapid
march 10 the expected battle-ground fearful that the
willy Indian might change his purpose. The Indians
front bv Il small stream, whose qucksands rendered
il almost impossible bat Col Taylor pushed through
the ouicksands and swamps in the face OF deadly
fire from concealed foe, driving the Indians before
him.
The action was long and severe The Indians
Welding the ground inch by inch and then only athc
poiu, OF the bayonet After three hours OF bloody con-
test the Indians were routed and pursued with great
slaughter, until night. This the last stand The
Indians ever made, in n large body. aud The only IN
stance in which they voluntarily gave battle Though
Col Taylor W on the day. II was al the expense oil
f, l39 killed and wouudcd-more Than one toarih OF
his whole force. Two colonies, Colonel Thompson
OF the 9th Infantry, and Colonel Gentry oil The Mis-
! souri, Nounieers fell at the head OF the troops
/ Capt. NauswcsriDsen aud Lieuts. Brooke and Car
] ter also fell in the engagement.
/ Durinc the whole OF the engagement, Col lay lor
remained Oh horseback passing from point 10 point
cheering his men the conflict, and exposed TO the
| Indian rifle al every moment
For this battle Mr. Poinset, Secretary OF War
rendered meriied praise 10 all engaged. IN his com
municalion 10 Congress. The 6rere. Of BrIgadter
! General WAS conferred on Col. Taylor and he was
given the chief command in Florida; which he re-
signed in $40 after four or five years arduous and
indetaiigable service in the swamps aud hammocks
| of Florida
After his retirement from Florida he was assigned
TO the command OF the LIST Department The Army
inc utiug the States of Louisiana, Mississippi, &c.
wi,h his head quarters a, Fort Jessup. Louisiana
His position gave him the command OF ihe Ar
/ my Of Occupation, but the usage OF the service
would have justified The Governmental ASSIGNING &c
! that command either OF the six general officers o.
the Regular Army whose rank is higher than his
But il may be fairly presumed that the high cha
racer. gallant services aud great experience OF Gen
I T. aside from his geographical position. pointed
him out as the appropriate commander OF an Amy
which was TO plant our flag upon the bank OF the
Rio del Norie.
Gen Taylor is abou, St years OF age; is man O.
mach general information and an excellent and
tried soldier; prudent and skill'ul commande'
whose traits of character are, wise precaunon II
providing Tor the hour OF trial, and fearless rech
less courage in battle.