Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1846-05-28
GeneraI Zachary TayIor.

Recent events have thrown this gentleman so pro-
mlnenty before the public, that feel disposed to
crafty the strong DESIRE expressed by MANY by giving
some OF The incidents of his life
Gen. Taylor entered the army in 1908. Immediately
after the attack on the Chesapeake and has been in
the service OF his country, from that time 10 the pre-
sent. Having entered the army lieutenan; of in
fantry, he had risen TO the command of company
at the beginning Of the last rGr.
For his gallant defence of Fort Harrison, on the
9th September, 1912, President Madison conferred
upon him the breve rank of Major and he is now the
Oldest breret in the army.
In 1882, he beeame:the Colonel of the 9th Infantry
with this regiment he went 10 Florida in 1886, where
he always foremost in danger
On the 18th of December 1886, Col Taylor, at the
head of detachment of about 500 men, composed of
the ls 4h, and 9th regiments of U. S. Infantry and
some Missouri volunteers, met about 200 Indians
under Alligator Sam Jones, and Coa-coo-che on the
banks of the Oke-cho-bee. This battle sought by
the Indians, for the day before the engagement Col
Taylor received a challenge from Alligator telling
him where TO find him, and banterng him to come on
COL Taylor desired nothing better, and Immediately
pushed on, at rapid march, to the expected battle
ground, fearful that the willy Indian might change his
purpose. The Indians had strong position in thick
swamp, covered in front by a small stream, whose
quicksands rendered it almost impossible, but Col
Taylor pushed through the quicksands and swamps,
in the face of deadly fire from concealed foe driv-
and The Indians yielding the ground inch by
inch, and then only the point of the bayonet After
three hours Of bloody contest the Indians routed
and pursued with great slaughter until night. This
was the last stand the Indians made in a large
body and the only instance in which they voluntarily
gave battle. Though Col. Taylor won the day. it was
| at an expense 149 killed and wounded-more than
| one-fourth of his whole force Two Coones (Col.
Thompson of the 9th infantry and COL Gentry Of the
Missouri Volunteers fell at the head of their troops
Capt Van Swearingen, and Lieutenants Brooke and
Carter, also fell in the engagement.
During the whole of the engagement, Col. Taylor
remained on horseback, passing from point TO point,
cheering his to the conflict, and exposed TO the
Indian rifle every moment The spirit with which
the commander and all his forces entered into the con-
ict exhibited in some verses written on the &C.
| caslon, by soldier
There's 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 tie Indian yell is loud, my boys,
And the rifles fash is free;
But the field of battle is home,
And happy, happy men are we.
And happy men We, &c.
For this battle, Mr.. Poinsett, Secretary of War,
rendered merted praise TO all engaged, in his COM
munication to Congress- The 6reUet of Brigddier
General was conferred on Col. Taylor, and he was
given the chief command in Florida which he re-
signed In lc4U alter Tour or ve years oil lndeiatga-
BILE service in the swamps and hammocks of Florida.
After his retirement from Florida, he assigned
to the command of the lst Department of the Army,
including the states of Louisiana, Mississippi, Ala
Oama, &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 justified the government in assigning to that
command any of the six general officers of the Re-
guar Army ,swhose rank is higher thar his.
But it may be fairly presumed that the high charac-
ter, gallant services and great experience of Gen.
Taylor aside from his geographical position, pointed
him out the appropriate commander of army,
which to plant flag upon the banks Of the Rio
Del Norte.
Gen. Taylor is about 56 years of age; is man of
much general information, excellent and tried
soldier; prudent and skilful commander; whose
traits of character wise precauon in providing
for the hour Of trial. and fearless reckless courage
in battle.
He is Kentuckan by birth, and all that that word
implies He is American in heart, and stamped
with all the elements of hero, by nature.
Under his command, the flag of the Union will re-
ceive dishonor on the banks of the Rio Grande.