The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1846-05-23
~ From the Washable Orthopolitar.
GEN. ZACHARY TAYLOR,

~ From the .NdshdiHe Orfhopohfdn
GEN. ZACHARY TAYLOR,
The Commander Of the .army Of Occupation.
Recent events have thrown this gen.
.tleman so prominently before the pub
lie, that I'VE feel disposed to crafty the
strong desire, expressed by many, by
giving some of the incidents of his life.
= Gen. TAYLOR entered the army in
1908, Immediately after the attack on
the Chesapeake, and has been in the
service of his country, from that time
to the present. Having entered the
army alieutenant of infantry, he had
risen to the command of a company, at
the beginning of the las! war.
For his gaIlan! defence Of Fort Har-
'rison, on the 5th September, 1912.
President Madison conferred upon him
the brevet rank of Major, and he is now
the oldest breret in the army.
In s32, he became the Colonel Of the
.5th Infantry; with this regiment he
went to Florida in 1886, where he was
always foremost in danger.
~ On the 25th ofDecember, 336, Col.
Taylor, at the head of detachment
.ofabout 500 men, composed Of the lst,
4th and 9th regiments Of U. S. Infan-
try an some Missouri volunteers, met
about 700 Indians, under AIligator,Sam
Jones, and Coa-coo.che. on the banks
of the O-ke-cho bee. This battle was
sought by the Indians, for the day be-
fore the engagement, Col. Taylor re-
ceived challenge from Alligator, tel
ling him where to find him, and bant-
aering him to come on. Col. Taylor
desired nothing better. and immediate
ly pushed on, at rapid march, to the
expected battle-ground, fearful that the
willy Indian might change his purpose.
The Indians had strong position, in a
thick swamp, covered in front by a
small stream, whose quicksands rem
dered it almost impossible, but Col. Il.
pushed through the quicksands and
swamps, in the face OF deadly fire
from concealed foe, driving the lndi'
ans before him. The action was long
and severe. The Indians yielding the
ground inch by inch, and then only al
The point Of the bayonet. After three
hours Of bloody contest, the Indians
were routed, and pursued with great
slaughther until night. This was the
last stand the Indians ever made, in q
large body, and the only instance in
which they voluntarily gave battle
Though Col. Taylor won the day, il
was at an expense Of l49 killed and
wounded-more than one-fourth Of his
whole force. Two coonels Colonel
Thompson, of the 5th Infantry. and
Col. Gentry, of the Missouri Voun.
teers,) fell at the head of the troops
Capt. Van Swearingen, and Iieuten'
ants Brooke and Garter, also fell in the
engagement.
During the whole flhe engagement
Colonel Taylor remained on horse
back, passing from point to polat, t,cheer
ing his men to the conhict, and expo
posed to the Indian rifle every mo
ment. The spirit with whlch'the com
mander and all his forces entered into
-ihe conflict, was exhibited in some YER
ses written on the occasion, by sol
der:
There's battle in yon hammock black,
There's lightning in yon cloud,
~ Hark! harki 10 the music, comrades dear,
-N. = For the Indian Yell loud;
For the Indian yell Is loud, my boys,
= And the rifles ilsshisfree;
;sr But the field Of battle is our home,
Ssls And happy, happy men are we;
And happy men a:e we, sc.
. For this battle, Mr., Poinsett. Secre
.taryef War, rendered merited prais
70 all engaged, in his communication t
sCqngress. The brsret Of B'igdds
.lGeneral was conferred on Col. Taylor
and he was given the Chief comman
lin, Florida: which be resigned in lS4O
-aaftersfour or FIVE years Of lndelatigabl
-asefvicesii the swamps and hammock
gef Florida. ss
After his retirement from Flofid'
he was assigned 70 tie command Of III
lsi Department Of the Army, lncludm