The Southern journal., 1846-05-23

~ ~ A'"'Js oLu eOuIC MtsSUuIt
volunteers, met about 700 Indians,
under Alligator, Sam Jones and Goa
coo ohse, on the banks Of the Oke.
cho-bee. This battle was sought by
the Indians, for the day before the en-
gagement, Col. Taylor received a
challenge from Alligator, telling him
where to find him, and bantering him
to come on. Col. Taylor desired no.
thing better, and Immediately pushed
on, at rapid march, to the expected
battle-ground, fearful that the willy
Indian might change bis purpose.
The Indians had a strong position in a
thick swamp, covered in front by a
small stream, whose quicksands rem.
dered it almost impossible, but Col.
T. pushed through the quic ksands and
swamps in the face Of a deadly fire
from, concealed foe, driving the In.
dams before him. The action was
loug and severe. The Indians yield.
ing The ground inch by inch, aud then
only at ne point Of the bayonet.-
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 Col. Taylor
won the day, it was at an expense Of
l30 killed and woanded-more than
one.four;h of his force. Two Colo
ne's (Col. Thomas Of the 9Th Infantry
and Col. Gentry Of the Missouri Vol.
unteers.) feli at the head Of the troops.
Capt. Van Swearingen, and Lieuts.
Brook and Carter, also fell in the en-
gagement.
During the whole Of The engage.
ment, Col. Taylor remained on horse
back, passing from point to point,
cheering his men to the conflict, and
exposed to the Indian rifle every mo.
ment. The spirit with which the
commander and all his force entered
into the conflict, was exhibited in
some verses written on the occasion,
by soldier:
',There's battle in your hammock black,
There's lightning in your cloud,
Eark! iIark to the music, comrades dear,
For the lrdian yell is loud;
For lhe Indian yell is lound, my boys,
And the rifles fash is free;
Bot the field of battle is our home,
And happy, happy, men are we:
And happy men are We" &c.
For this battle, Mr.. Poinsett, Sec
re,ary of War, rendered merited
praise to all engaged, in his commu-
nication to Congress. The bre0et Of
Brigadier General was conferred on
Col. Taylor. and he was given the
command in Florida, which he resign.
ed 10 1870. after four or five years ar
duous and indefatjgable service in the
swamps and hammocks of Florida.
After his retirement from Florida,
he was assigned to the command of
the lst Department Of the Amy, io>
cIuding the States Of Louisiana, Mis-.
sissippi, 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 justi,
fed the government in assigning to
that command either Of the six gen.
eral officers of the regular army
whose rank is higher than his. But
it may be fairly presumed that the
high character, gallant services and
great experience of Gen. Taylor, a
side from his geographical 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 Sc years Of
age; is man Of much general infor.
nation; an excellent and tried soldier;
a prudent and skilful commander.