True Democrat. (Paulding, Miss.) 1845-18??, 1846-06-03

and 9th regiments of U. s. Infantry and
some Missouri volunteers, met about 700
Indians, under Alligator, 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 before the engagement,
Col. Taylor received a challenge from
Alligator, telling him where to find him,
and bantering him TO come on. Col. Tay
lor desired nothing better, and Immediately
pushed on, at rapid march to the expected
battle ground, fearful that the wiley Indian
might change his purpose. The Indians
had strong position in thick swamp,
covered in front by small stream, whose
quicksandS rendered it almost impossible.
but Col Taylor pushed through the quick
sands and Swamps in the face of deadly
fire from concealed foe, driving the In
dianS before him. The action was long
and severe. The Indians yielding the
ground inch by inch, and then only at the
point the bayonet. After three hours of
b!oodycontest, the Indians were routed and
pursued with great slaughter until night.
'Phis was the last stand the Indians ever
made. in very large body, and the only
instance in which they voluntarily gave
battle. Though Col. Taylor won The day,
it was at an expense of 1879 killed and
wounded-more than one-fourth of his
whole force. Two colonies (CoI. Thomp-
son of the 9TH Infantry, and Col. Gentry
ofthe Missouri Volunteers fell at the head
OF the troops. Capt. Van Swearigen and
Lieutenants Brooke and Carter, also fell in
the engagement.
During the whole of the engagement
Col. Taylor remained on horse back, pass
ing from point TO point, cheering his men
to the conflict, and exposed TO the Indian
rifle at every moment The spirit with
which the commander and all his force en-
tered into the conflict, was exhibited in
some verses written on the occasion, by a
soldier.
"There's battle in yon hammock black,
There's lightning in yon cloud,
Harkl harkl to the music, comrades dear
For the Indian yell is loud;
For the Indian yell is loud, my BOYS,
And the rifles fash is free;
But the field OF battle is our home.
And happy, happy men are we;
And happy men are we" &c.
For this battle, Mr.. Poinsett, Secretary
OF War, rendered merted praise 10 all en-
gagged, in his communication 10 Congress.
The brevet Of Brigddier General was
conferred on Col. Taylor, and he was Civ
Ell the Chief command in Florida; which
he resigned in 1870 after four or five years
arddous and indefatigabIe service in the
swampS and hammocks of Florida.
l. L
was assigned to the command of the LIST
Department of the Army, including the
States Of Louisiana, Mississippi Alabama,
&c, with his head quarters at Fort Jesup,
Louisiana.
His position gave him the command of
the "Army of Occupation" but the usage
of the service would have justified the Co
vernment in assigning to that command
either of the six general officers ofthe Reg
ular Army, whose rank is higher than his
but it may be fairly presumed tina: the
high character. gallant services aud great
experience of Gen. r., aside from hs geo.
graphical position, pointed him out, as the
appropriate commander of an army, which
rs to plant our flag upon the banks OF the
Rio del NoHe.
Gen. Taylor is about sc years of age:
S man of much general Information, an
excellent and tried soldirr: a prudent and
'kilful commander, whose traits of charac.
Ter are; a wise precaulion in providing for
he hour of trial, and fearless reckless
courage in battle.
He is a Kahtuckian by birth, and all
bat that word implies He is an Ameri-
an in heart, and stamped with all the ele-
nents of hero by nature.
Under his command the flag of the Uni
n will receive no dishonor on the banks a
{ the Rio Grande. s
SINGULAR CASE OF Love AND DEsPRRA. n
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