Liberty advocate. [volume] (Liberty, Miss.) 1835-1866, 1846-05-30
NUMBER Is.
From the Nashville Orthopolitan.
General Zachary Taylor,
The COMMANDER OF THE ARMY OF o.

man so prominently before the public, that
we feel disposed to crafty the strong de-
sire, expressed by many, by giving some
of the incidents of his life.
Gen. TAYLOR entered the Army in 1908,
immedia after the attack on the Ches-
apeak, and has been in the service Of his
country, from that time, 10 the present.
Having entered the army as lieutenant
of infantry he had risen to the command
Of a company, at the beginning OF the last
acar.
For his gallant defence of Fort Hdrrt.
son on the 9th September, 1919, President
Madison conferred upon him the brevet
rank Of Major, aud that he is now the DID,
est 5repet in the army.
In 1882, he Cbecame the Colonel Of the
9Th Infantry; with this regiment he went
to Florida 10 1886, where he was always
foremost in danger.
On the 25tn December, 1886, Col. Tay-
Ior at the head of detachment Of about
500 men, composed of parts Of the lst,
4ih and 9th regiment OF U. S. Infantry
and some Missouri volunteers, met about
100 Indians, under Alligator, Sam Jones
and Goa coo-chee, on the banks OF the
0 Ike ,cho. bee. This battle was sought by
the Indians, Tor the day before the engage
menl, Col. Taylor received challenge
from Alligator, telling him where TO Ind
him, and bantering him TO come on. Col
Taylor desired nothing better, and imme-
da:ely pushed on, at rapid march 10 the
expectet battle ground, fearful that the
wiley Indian might change his purpose.
The indians had a strong position IN
thick swamp, covered 10 front by small
stream, whose quicksaads rendered it al.
most impossible, but Col. Taylor pushed
through the quicksands and swamps in
he face of a deadly fire from concealed
Toe, driving the Indians before him. The
faction was long and severe. The Indians
yielding the ground inch by lnch' ana
linen only at the point Of the bayonsi.
After three hours Of bloody contest, tho
Indians lwere routed and pursued with
great slaughter, until night. This was
Inc last stand The Indians ever made in
large body, and the ouly instance in which
hey voluntarily gave battle. Though
Col. Taylor won the day, it was at an ex-
pense OF 1879 killed and wounded--more
han one-fourth OF his whole force. Two
colonies (Col. Thompson ofthe 9Th lnian-
try, and Col Gentry of the Missouri Vol.
unteers,) fell at the head Of the troops.
Capt. Van Swearingen and Lleutenan!s
Brooke and Garter, also fell in the en-
gagement.
During the whole Of the engagement,
Col. Taylor remained on horseback, pass
ing from point 10 point, cheering his men
to the conflict, and exposed 10 the Indian
rifle at every moment. 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.
'sThere battle in yon hammock black.
There's lightning in yon cloud,
| Hark! bark 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 merited praise to oil en-
gagged, in his communication to Congress.
The breUet of Brigadier General was con-
ferred on Col. Taylor, and he was gwen
The chief command in Florida; which ne
resigned in 1910, after four or i've years
arduous and indefeiigable service In the
swamps and hammocks Of Florida.
After his retirement from Florida, no
was assigned 10 the command OF the lst
DEPARTMENT Of the Army, including tho
States OF Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama,
&c, with his head quarters at Fort JesuP,
Louisiana.
His position gave him the command OF
the "A'my Of Occupation" but the usage
of the service would have justified the Gov
eminent in assigning TO that command ell
Their Of the six general officers OF the Reg
uIar 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, aside from his
geographical position, pointed him out as
The appropriate commander of an army,
which. was to plant our flag upon the Rio
del Norte.
Gen. Taylor is about Sc years of age;'s
a man Of much general Information, an OK.
ceIent and tried soldier: prudent ana
skillful commander, whose traits OF char
acter are, wise precaution in providing
for the hour OF trial, and fearless, recS-
less courage in battle.
He is . Kentuckian by birth, and oil