American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-07-17
From, the Virginia Free Press.
|EMINIsCENCEs OF GEN. TAYLOI

"REMINISCENCES OF GEN. TAYLOR;
The victorious achievements of Palo Alto,
Resaca de la Palma, where the U. 8. for
displayed as much gallantry and noble dar-
as was ever exhibited in ancient or modern
rfare, has called up ear associations in the
nd of the writer, and thrown it back upon
mes where the Hero of the Rio Grande flesh
his maiden sword, and culled the first laurels
bit entwine his brow.
1t was, | think, in the spring of 1914, that
startling news reached st. Louis, of the
pture of Prairie du Chen, "a fort on the up
+ Mississippi river,) and of the repulse of
pt. Campbell, who had gone up in boat,
tn his company of U. S. troops, for the relief
the place. This gao the BRUSH and Indians
mmand of the upper Mississippi, and fears
ere entertained for the safety of St. Louis
brt Madison had been evacuated, Chicago,
reenbay, Prairie du CHEN, and tho whole of
70 upper country was in possession of the enc
y, and nothing then, apparently, could OPP
bse their descent of the river, and the fall OF
d. Louis.
But there was gallant spirit on our western
brder-a brave soldier, who had been school
under WILLIAM HENRY HARRIsoN. Under
at great and good man he had first unsheath-
his sword, and distinguished himself in his
|arfare with subtle foe-Maior ZAcHARIAH
&AYLoR had exhibited such indomitable Cour-
Ice, such GOODNESS in battle, when his fort was
IN fire, and surrounded by lndians-such re-
ources within himself, when even hope failed
lmost within every other breast-that he was
rdered to the protection Of that exposed from
der, and to stay the progress of the invading
knemy. Nobly did he achieve the undertaking
|-gallanty did he resist and stop their onward
narch, and relieve the country from the appre-
lended danger.
With one company of regulars, and as many
volunteers from the territories of Illinois and
missouri, as he could hastily assemble at Port
kge de Sioux, he commenced the ascent of the
mississippi river in "keel-boats'-a craft not
|aissimiar to the largest class boats on the Ches-
lapeake and Ohio canal. They were bullet
proof however-the Misunderstanding being
hard seasoned oak plank, one and half inches
|thick-along the whole length of the boat, two
|rows of portfolios, about two inches square and
three feet apart, opened on each side, and on
THE stern and bow decks, sx-pound swivel guns
were mounted, having three embrasures, one on
leach side, and one in the end. We were eight
boats altogether, containing from 100 to $50
men each, and propelled by oars, twenty-five
on each side. Thus slowly and tediously
crawling up stream, we assembled the river,
without encountering an enemy until we arriv-
ed nearly opposite Rock river, a considerable
stream emptyng on the eastern side of the
Mississippi. Here we found numerous force
of Indians and British encamped. The very
thing we had been looking after, and which
gave our troops so much delight; and here, on
the ensuing morning, the gallant Taylor deter
mined TO give them battle. We landed there
fore about dark, at small island, little above
the mouth of Rock river, and lying close to the
western side of the Mississippi, our boats moor
ed contiguous to each other along the shore
bow to stern, and sentinels placed around il
the arcllsof circle, from the first to the las
boat, and reaching about fifty yards into The
woods.
About daylight, or just before, as the Corpo
raj of the guard, by direction of the Sergeant
was looking at his watch, to see if it was no
time to relieve the guard, and STOPPING Tor tina
purpose with the watch in his hand to the lgh
Of small camp fire, the crack of rifle wa
heard, and the watch dropped from the Corpo
rails hand and he ran in to the boat, with hi
wrist broken. The eentnels in conformity wit
previous orders retreated to tho boats, and tn
drums beat to arms. rs soon as it was ascer
famed That the enemy was on the island, an
would not attack tho boats, orders were passe
from boat TO boat for one halt of each to tut
oat--the other half with the guard to renal
in charge of the boats.
FL Day about this time began to illuminate tn
east, and dispel the gloom which surrounded us
Some confusion at first had been created by tn
noise of the drums, the retreat of the gnart
and arousing the men from their sumbers, b.
with the coming light all was quoted, and tn
troops soon formed on the bank of the river :
The hour had now arrived which the mon hs
SO much desired-during the long and tedio,
trip they had frequently talked it over-fermt
theiE Plans-and determined how they wos