Ypsilanti sentinel. [volume] (Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.) 1843-1900, 1846-07-22
ARIsTA AND TAYLOR.

who has Just returned from Visit 10 ne hO Grandt
presents the following graphic pictures of the Mex
can and American Commanding Generals as they
were successfully seen in camp at MatAmoros.
The contrast of the two Commanding Generals
Taylor and Arista, in the pomp and circumstance o.
war was characteristic of the different institutions
under which they lived. There was semi-barbaric
spendor associated with that of Arsta's according
to the despotism of the Mexican Government.
simplicity about that of Taylors. equally significant
of pure Republican institutions.
The The marquee of the commanding General Of
the Mexican forces was belshaped and of great size
The material of which it was composed, was orna-
mened by parti-coored stripes, giving it holy-day
appearance. Around it were stationed gally dressed
officers who glstened in the sun, and were ready to
pay the most abect respect to their chief Led hor-
ses richly caparisoned slowly paced in sight. Pro-
tecting it's rear, like continued labyrnthan walls
were arranged the equipage of the camp. Pack sad
dies for five hundred mules were tastefully placed
for display, and their loads near by, beaped up in
prodipal confusion. TO the uoorMexican soldier BIZ
vouacked in the open air, this wealth seemed Wis
ion of fairy land, and Its conventional possessor,
rich beyond their imagination, and powerful beyond
comparison.
Bands of rude music almost constantly rent the
air with their noisy labor The furniture of the mar
quee was rich; the costly figured chests of the camp
were the ornamental furniture upon their tops re-
posed in ostentation, the heavy silver service of the
table, or the elegantly furnished snaps of the cam
paign.' In this array sat the commanding General,
surrounded by his numerous staf-his clothes of gay
colors and laced to vulgar profusion. Visitors of
ceremony or of business were conducted with pomp
and needless delays; long lines of officials stared and
were mpudent or cringing, suited their purposes
best. Music rolled, sabres and muskets ratified, and
the buzz of inflated greatness and hollow pretence
was triumphant.
ADouta mile above the city of Matamoros, little
distance from the banks of the Rio Grande, is to be
seen June lst) some stunted and ill-shaped trees
which bend their gnarled and almost leafe!ess
limbs over group of three or four small tents, only
different from those of the common soldier in
their rear, in this that they hetrogeneousy dis
posed for shade, instead being in line, regard
less of all else than military precision. The pain
about is dotted with thousands of tents, before
many of which artillery, and groups of men and
soldiers, and over some waved in triumphant folds
our national flag, giving promise gilmore importance
and pomp, than the little knot to which we have par
ticularly alluded. We wend our way on towards the
iwarfsh trees that were distinguished, from being
few feet higher than the surrounding brush, and for
the little group of tents that rested beneath them,or
they were pointed out as marking the headquarters
Of the commanding General of a triumphant Ameri-
can Army.
No. the slightest token was visible, to mark one
tent in the group from another, there were no sent
nels military parade present; chubby sun-burnt
child belonging to the camp playing near by in
the grass, temporarily arrested in its wanderings by
insect of unusual size that was delving in the
lust.
We presented ourself at the opening of one of the
ents, before which was standing dragoon's horse
much u 'ed by hard service. Upon camp stool at
,ur lett, sat General -, in busy conversation
With hearty looking old gentleman sitting on box
cushioned with an Arkansas blanket, dressed in At
akapas pantaoons and linen roundabout, and re-
narkble for bright flashing eye, high forehead a
armer look, and "rough and ready" Appearance
t is hardly necessary for to say that this person.
ge was General Taylor, and commanding hero of
wo of the most remarkable battles on record and
he man who, by his firmness and decision of charac-
er, has shed lustre upon the American arms.
There was no pomp about his tent: couple of
ough blue chests served as his table, on which were
trewn in mastery confusion variety of official
ooking documents; quiet looking citizen dressed
do L
lifcant call of "Ben," bearing on tin saver, cou-
lie of black bottles and shining tumblers, arranged
round an earthen pitcher ofRioGrande water. These
etreshments were deposited upon a stool, and we
'helped ourselves" by invitation. We bore to the
general complimentary gift from some of his fellow
itizens of New Orleans, which he declined receiv-
ng for the present, giving at the same time short
nut "bard sense lecture on the improperly of ma
ming children and places after men before they were
ead, or of his receiving present for his services
before the campaign as far as he was concerned,
vas finished
With the highest possible admiration of the Re-
ublican simplicity of the manners and character of
General Taylor, We babe him good day, with high
r appreciation of our native land, for possessing
u0h hIdh do CitILen, anu OF L0e INSTITUTIONS Tor
louldng such character. ssss
LITERARY QUACKs.-Literature has her quacks |
less than medicine, and they are divided into two
lasSes; those who have eruditon without genius,
nd those who have volubility without depth; we
ball get secondhand sense from the one and org-
al nonsense from the other. y. - -.
10 practice sncerty,is to speak as we think; to do
) we profess; to perform what we promise: and re-
lily to be what we appear to be. So