Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1846-05-23
GENERAL TAYLOR,

of General Taylor, who now stands 90 conspi-
cuously before the whole country as the CON-
mander Of the army Of occupation, we extract
from one ofo exchange the following sketch.
1t will be interesting
"Gen. Zachary Taylor entered the army in
1905, Immediately sfter the attack on the Ches.
apeake, and has been in the service Of his coun-
try from that time to the present Having
entered the army as lieutenant Of infantry he
had risen TO the command Of company at the
beginning Of the last war.
For his gallant defence Of Fort Harrison on
the 9th September, 1872 President Madison
conferred upon him the brevet rank of Major
and he is now the Oldest brevet in the army.
In 1882, he became the Colonel Of the 9th
infantry; with this regiment he went to Flori.
1da in 1886, were he was always foremost in
danger.
On the 25th December, 1886, Col. Taylor,
at the head OF detachment Of about 500 men,
composed Of parts Of the 1st, 4th and 9th regi.
ments Ut United States Infantry and some Mis-.
souri, volunteers, met about 700 Indians. under
Alligator, Sam Jones, and Goa coo.chee, on the
banks Of the O.ke.cho.bee This battle was
sought by the Indians, for the day before the
engagement, Col! Taylor receiveda challenge
from Alligator, telling him where to find him,
and bantering him to come on Col. Taylor
desired nothing better, Immediately pushed on
at rapid march to the expected battle ground,
fearfu, that the willy Indian might change his
purpose. The Indians had strong position in
a thick swamp, covered in front by small
stream, whose quckssnds rendered il almost
impossible, but he pushed through the quick.
sands and swamps, in the face Of deadly FIRE
from concealed foe, driving the Indians before
him.
The action was long and severe. The Indi.
ans yielding the ground inch by inch, and then
only at the point of the bayonet. After three
hours of bloody contest the Indians were routed
'aud pursued with great slaughter, until night.
This was the laststand they ever made. in
largeibody, and the only instance in which they
voluntarily gave battle.-Though Col. Taylor
won the day, it was at the expense Of l39 xii.
led and wounded-more titan one fourth of his
whole force. Two colonels, Colonel Thomp.
eot, Of the 5th Infantry, and Colone. Gentry Of
the Missouri volunteers,) fell at the head of the
troops, Capt Van Swearingen and Lieuts.
Brooke and Carter, also fell ia the engage
ment
During the whole Of the engagement. COL
Taylor remained on horseback, passing from
point to point, cheering his men 10 the conflict,
and exposed TO the Indian ride at every mo-
ment.
For this battle, Mr.. Poinsett. Secretary Of
War, rendered merited praise to all engaged,
IA nhiscommunication to Congress. The brevet
of 6stgrdser General was conferred on Col.
Taylor, and he was givea the chief command
in Florida, which he resigned in ls40, after
four or five years arducus and indefatigable
service in tie swamps and hammccks Of Flo.
rida.
After retirement from Florida, he was assign.
ed the command Of the lst department Of the
army, including the States of Louisiana. Mis-.
sissippi, Alabama, &c.. with his head quarters
at For: Jessu? Louisiana.
His position gave him the Command OF the
''army ofoccupation." but the usage of the ser.
vice would have justified the Government in
assigning to that command either of the six
general officers ofthe regular army, whose rank
is higher than his.
But il muy he fairly presumed that the high
character, gallant services and great expert.
ence of Gen. T., aside from his geogn phcal
position, pointed him out as the appropriate
commander of an army, which was to plant our
flag upon the banks Of the Rio del Norte.
Gen. Taylor is about So years Of sge; is
man Of much general Information, and an excel.
ieat aud tried soldieri a prudent and skiIfui
commander, whose traits of character are
wise precaution in providing for the hour Of tri.
al. ard q fearless. reckless courage in battle.
He 10 a Kentuckian by birth, and all that
word implies. He is an American in heart and
stamped with all the elements Of hero, by ma
turc.
Under his command the flag Of the Union
will receive no dishonor on The banks of the Rio
irande.-Nashville Orthipoiitan.
SaAxoxIS FURsAoE.-The Shamokin Furnace,
row in the possession of Messrs. Bryant and
Wood, was again put in operation on the first of
his month. In the event of this furnace work.
ng well, and prohtably to its present managers,
is said they will soon erect another stack ad.
dining the present furnace, We trust that the
,ost sansuine hopes of the pteseut opera tors NJ