Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1846-06-05
From the WdshUilIe OrihopOlitan.
GENERAL TAYLOR.

General Taylor entered the army in 1908.
Immediately after the attack on the Chesa-
peake, and has been in the service of his
country, from that time to the present.
Having entered the army Il Lieutenant Of
inianUy he had risen to he command of
company, at the beginning of the last war.
Fer his gallant defence Of Fort Harrison
on the 5th of September, 1879, President
Madison conferred upon him the hrevetrank
OF Major, and he is now the oldest breVet
in the army. In 1882 he became the Col
enel Of the'6th infantry: with this regi-
ment he went to Florida in 1885, where he
was ALWAYS the foremost in danger.
On the 25th Of December, 1885, Colonel
Taylor, at The head OF detachment Of a.
bout 500 men, composed OF parts Of the
Tst, 4th, and 9Th, regiments OF United
States lntantry and some Missouri volun-
tesrs, met about zoo Indians, under AlIjga-
tor, Sam Jones, and Coa-hoo.chpe, on the
banks OF the G-ke~ChO-heo. This battle
was sought by the Indians, for the day be-
! fore the engagement Colonel Tay ylor receiV-
ed challenge from Alligator, telling him
where to find him, and banterng him 10
come on. Colonel Taylor desiring nothing
better, Immediately pushed on, at rapid
march to the expected battle ground, fear
tul that the willy Indian might change his
purpose. The Indians had strong posi-
zion in a thick swamp, covered in front by
a small stream, whose qniCksands rendered
it almost impassbe, but Colonel Tayicr
pushed hrough the quicksands and swamps
IN the face OF deadly fire from conceal.
ed foe, driving the Indians before him.
The action was long and severe, The In
dams yielding the ground inch by inch; and
!hen only at the point Of the bayoneL---
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 large
body, and the only instance in which they
voluntarily gave battle. Though Colonel
Taylor won the day, it was at the expense
of one hundred and ihirty-nine killed and
wounded --more than one-tourth Of his
whole force. Two CoIonels. Colonel
Thompson of the 5th Infantry, and Colonel
Gentry Of the Missouri volunlcers,1 fell at
the head Of the troops, Captain Vansweus
rngen and Lieutenants Brooke and Carter
also fell in the engagement
During the whole engagement, Colonel
Taylor remained on horseback, passing from
point TO point, cheering his men to The con-
tlict, and exposed to the Indian rifle at ev-
cry moment.
Fer this battle Mr.. Ponshtt, Secretary Of
War rendered merited praise to all enga-
poA in hiu t,ir n EnpCrnes
The brevel of Brigadier General was con.
terred on Colonel Taylor, and he was CIV
en- the chief command in Floridai which
he resigned in 1910, after four or five years
nrduous and indeiatigable service in the
swamps and hammocks OF Florida,
After his retirement from Florida, he was
assigned 10 the command Of the ist Depart.
ment of the Army, including the States of
Louisiana, Mississippi, &C.. with his head
quarters at Fort Jessup, Louisiana.
HIS position gave him the command nf
the "Army of Occupation, would 'iaVeius-
tlfied the Government in assigning TO that
Command either Of the six general officers
OF III" regular Army, whose rank is higher
than his.
But ii may he fairly presumed that the
high character. gallant services and great
experience of General Taylor, aside from
his geographical position. pointed him out
as the appropriate commander of an army,
which was to plant our flag on the bank Of
the Rio del Nortp.
General Taylor is about iIly-six years Of
age; is "A man OF much general information
and an excellent and tried soldier; pru-
dent and skiIlGl commander, whose traits