The banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1844-1847, 1846-05-27
GENERAL ZACHARY TAYLOR

GENERAL ZACHARY TAYLOR
COMMANDER OF THE ARMY OF OCCUPATION.
Recen. events have thrown this gen
tIeman so prominently before the public
we feel disposed to gratifv the strong DE-.
sire expressed by many, by giving some
OF the incidents Of his life
Gen. Tny lor entered the army in IS.
o9, Immediately after the attack on the
Chesapeake, and has been IN the service
OF his country. from that time TO the pre-
sent Having enter. d the army as a
lieutenant Of infantry, he had risen 10
thu command OF IL company, Il, the be.
ginning OF the last acar.
For his gallant defence of Fort Har-
rlso~ on the 5th September, 1912, Pre-.
sident Madison conferred on him the
h,ev't rank OF Major, and he is now the
Mtrst brrcet in the army
In 1882. he brcame the Colonel OF
the 9th Infantry; with this regiment he
went to Florida in 1886, where he was
always foremost in danger.
On the 25th December, 1886, Col.
Taylor, at the head Of a detachment OF
about 500 men, composed of parts Of the
isi, 4;h and 9th regiments of l.. S In
fantry and some Missouri volunteers.
met about 700 Indians, under Alligator,
Sam Jones and Coa-coo che, on the
banks of Oke-cho-bec. This battle was
sought by the Indians, for the day before
the engagement, Col. Taylor re-
ceived challenge from Alligator. ivi-
ling him where 10 find him, and bante-
ring him to come on. Col Taylor dcsi-
ring nothing better, immediateIy " pushed
on, at rapid march TO the expected bat
tie ground, fearful that the willy Indian
might change his purpose. The Indi-
ans had strong position in thick
swamp, covered in front by a small
stream, whose quick sands rendered it
almost impossible, but Col. Taylor pushed
through the quicksands and swamps in
the face of deadly fire from a conceal
ed foe, driving the Indians before him.
The action was long and severe The
Indians yielding the ground inch by
inch, and then only a. the point of the
bayonet. After three hours of bloody
contest, the Indians were routed and
pursued with great slaughter, until
night. This is the last stand the In
dams ever made in large body, and the
only instance in which they voluntary
gave battle. Though Col. Taylor won
the day, it was at the expense of l39
killed and wounded-morc than one
fourth of his whole force Two Colonels
(Col. Thompson Of the 5th Infantry and
Col. Gentry of the Missouri Voluntrersr)
fell Li:uts. Brooks and Garter: also fell
in the engagement.
During the whole Of the engagement,
Col. Taylor remained on horseback,
passing from point to point, cheering his
men to the conflict, and exposed to the
Indian rifle at every moment.
For this battle, MI. Poinsett, Secreta-
ry Of War, rendered merited praise to all
on. aged, in his communication to Con-
gress. The breues Of Brigadier General
was conferred on Col. Taylor. and he
was given the chief command in Florida,
which he resigned in ls4O, after four or
five years arduous and indefatigabIe SER
vice in the swamps and hammocks of
Florida. {.
After. his retirement from Florida,
he wasas>igned to the command of the
lst Department OF the Army, including
the States of Louisiana, Mississippi,
Alabama, &c with his head quarters at
Fort Jesup Louisiana.
His position gave him command of
the "Army Of ''ccupation," but the
usage Of the service woul have justified
the Government in assigning to that
comnanl, either Of six general officers
Of the Regular Army, whose rank is
highrr than hix 90,
But it may bs fairly presumed that
the high character, gallant services and