Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1846-08-20
Gen. Taylor.


Taylor in the Nashville Or,hopoitan:
Gen. Taylor entered the army in 1908.
Immediately after the attack on The Ches-
apeake, and has been in the service of
his country from that time to 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
war. For his gallan, defence of Fort
| Harrison on the 5h of September, 1912,
President Madison conferred upon him
the breset rank of Major, and he is now
the oldest Breuet in the army. In 1882,
he became the Colonel OF tho 9th infantry,
with this regiment he went TO Florida in
1896, where he was always foremost in
danger. On the 25th December, 1896,
Col Taylor at the head of a de,achmen,
Of about 500 men, composed of parts OF
the lst, 4Ih and 9Th regiments of U. s.
infantry and some Missouri Volunteers,
met about 700 Indians, under Alligator,
Sam Jones. and Coa-coo chez. on the
banks Of the O Ike cho hee. This battle
was sought by the Indians. for the day
before the engagement Col. Taylor re.
ceived challenge from Alligator. telling
him where 10 find him, and banerIng
him to come on. Col. Taylor desiring
nothing better. Immediately pushed on at
a rapid march 10 the expected battle
ground. fearful that the willy lndian might
change his purpose. The Indians had
strong position in thick swamp, cover.
ed in front by small stream. whose
quicksands rendered il almost impossible
but Col. Taylor pushed through the
, quick sands and swamps, in the face Of
deadly fire from concealed foe, driv-
ing the Indians before him. The action
was long and severe. The Indians yield
ing The ground inch by inch, and then
only at the point Of the bayonet. After
three hours of bloody contest, the Indians
were routed and pursued with gret
slaughter until night. This was the last
stand the Indians ever made, in a largs
body, and The only instance in which
they voluntarily gave battle. Though
Col Taylor won the day, il was at the
expense Of 1879 killed and wounded
more than one-fourth Of his whole force.
: Two Colonies (Col. Thompson Of the
5,h infantry, and Col. Gentry Of the Mis-
souri, Voluneer-,) fell at the head of the
troops. Capt. Vanswearingen and Lieuts.
Brooke and Carter, also fell in the en-.
gagement.
During the whole Of the engagement,
Colonel Taylor remained on horse back
passing from point 10 point cheering his
men to the conflict, and exposed 10 the
Indian rife al every moment. For this
battle Mr. Poinseu, Secretary Of War,
rendered meried praises TO all engaged,
in his communication 10 Congress. The
breyet Of brigadier General was confer
red on Col. raylor and he was given
the chef command in Florida, which he
resigned in 1910, after four or five years
arduous and interchangeable service in the
swamps and hammocks of Florida. After
his retirement from Florida, he was as
signed 10 the command Of The lst Depart
ment Of the Army, including the States
Of Louisiana, Mississippi, &c. with his
head quarters al Fort Jessup, 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 10 that command
either Of the six general 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. t., aside
n from his geographical position. pointed
j. him out as the appropriate commander of
IS an army which was to plant our Flag
a. upon the banks Of the Rio del Norte. Gen.
Taylor is about Sc years Of age; is man
il. OF much general Information. and an ex.
il. cellen, and tried soldier; prudent and
4 skilful commander. whose traits of cha
10 racter are, wise precauion in providing
~ for the honr of trial, and fearless, reck.
al less courage in battle. He is Kenluck
~ ian, and all that, that word implies, He
a. is an American in heart, and stamped
/, with all the elements of hero, by nature