Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1847-08-14


prisoners who have been placed in his power by
the vicisitudes of war; No man who had seen
lin after the battle Of Buena Vista, as he or.
dered the wagons 10 bring in the Mexican
wounded from the battle field, and had heard
him, as he at once cautioned his own men, that
the wounded were to be treated with mercy,
could doubt that he was alive TO all the kinder
impulses of our nature. The indiscreons OF
youth he chides with parental kindness, yet,
with the decision which lorbids their repetition,
and The young men Of his army Sel that itis
pleasure to gather around him, because they
know that they are as welcome as though they
visited the hearlhsone OF their own home, and
they are always as freely invited 10 partake Of
what he has to offer, as if they We're under the
roof Of father. His conduct in sparing the
deserers, who were captured at Buena VISTA
exhibited at the same time. in remarkable
manner, his benevolence and his judgment
"Don't shoot them" said he; ''he worst punish
ment will inhpt is TO return them to The Mexi
can army" When Napoleon said to one Of
his battalions, "inscrbe it on their flag No
longer of the army Of Italy," he used an ex.
preston which was dsemed so remarkable, that
history preserved it for the admiration OF future
ages, yet it was not more forcbe as 40 Illus
tration OF his power in.touching the springs Of
human action than is that of Gen. Taylor illus
trative OF the manner in which he would make
an example for the benefit Of the army.
He is a man of business habits. never
have known Gen. Taylor TO give up day TO
pleasure. have never visited bis quarters with.
out seeing evidence OF the industry with which
he toled II lis talented adutant was surroun.
ded by papers, so was the general. And though
he would salute visitor kindly, and bid him
with familiar grace to amuse himself until be
was at leasure, he never would interrupt the du
ties which his station called him to PERFORM
When these were closed for the day, he seemed
to enjoy. to remarkable degree, the vivacity oil
young officers and to be glad to mingle in theil
society. As a conversationalist, do not think
Gen. Taylor possesses great power. He use:
few words, and expresses himself with energy
and force, but not fuently. His language is Sc
ect would say. however, from my knowledge
Of the man, that he is entirely capable Of produ
cling any thing in the shape Of an order or leue,
which has ever appeared over his signature; ant
in saying SO much, understand myself as asser
ting that he is master of his mother tongue, ant
can write about as effectively and handsomely a
he can fight. Such, then, is the picture Of tn,
man-not Of the general-who won upon m!
esteem. | am not in the habit Of eulogising men
and have INDUCED on this occasion because
desire to describe to you, with the exactness o
truth, those qualities which, combined in Gen
Taylor, made him appear to me as a frstrat
model Of q true American character. Other
will dwell upon the chivalry he has so often dis
played and his greatness so conspicuously illus
lraed upon the field Of battle; formed my idea
of the man when he was free from duty, and ha
no motive to appear in any other light than sue
as was thrown upon him by nature, educatio
and principles. .r.. o.. -s .7..