Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1847-11-04
NUMBER SO.
SOMETHING ABOUT GEN. TAYLOR.
BY ). c. BRrcgrsR,per.-- Hrsien II 1890

BY }. c. BRrcgESRlDeE- Written IA 1890.
l The memorable defence OF Fort Harrison
was in September, 1912 In October and No
vember, MAJOR Taylor. 10 command OF the
Kentucky volunteers and accompanied by
Gen. Hopkins. made two expeditions into the
\ Indian country one against the kickapoo
villages on the Illinois river, the other against
the settlements in the neighborhood Of Tip
pecanoe. Nogeneral engagement was fought.
fbut they were attended with many hardships
and prlvatlons. and proved Of incalculable
benefit 10 the territories OF indiana and Hi
nos. Several OK the enemy's towns. and
large quantities of provisions were DESTROYED
This demonstration OF our strength inspired
them with awe. In the winter Of 1918 Major
Il was appointed TO superiniend the recruit
ing service IN Indiana aud Illinois, in which
he continued with industry and success until
yuly.-la that month he proceeded with
force OF Rangers and Kentucky volunteers
against the Massassinaway town near the
source OF the Wabash. The Town was found
abandoned, and meeting with no supply Of
provisions. the detachment was exposed du.
ring its return TO the severest pryatons.
In the spring Of 1914 he was ordered 10 81,
Louis, to take command of the troops in the
on its frontiers until August. II was then as
celtained that the British had taken For Shell.
oy at Prairie du Chen, and were in great force
on the Mississippi with regulars aud Indian
allies.-Gen. Howard was furnished with ten
companies OF badly organized rangers and
about one hundred and twenty efficient regu
lars, to protect the frontier Of Indiana, Illinois
and Missouri, and restrain the depredations Of
tie various savage tribe With these slender
resources he had 10 protect the interior settle.
ments and furnish detachments to invade the
indian territory. OF these, that which as
cended the Mississippi under Major TAYLOR.
was the most important In its objects and the
most beneficial in its results.
On the ed Of August, 1914, Major Taylor
received orders to take command OF $40 men,
Principally militia, provided with boats and a
lew pieces OF artillery, 10 ascend the Missis-
sppi as high as the Indian Village at the
: mouth OF Rock river, 10 destroy the villages
and corn, TO disperse The Indians, and erect
fort on the most eligible site 10 command The
river. The leading objects of the expedition
were to restrain the Indians BY the establish
ment Of a military post in the heart of their
country, and to arrest the descendent of the
British forces on ST. Lous.--The general clo-
SEES his orders 10 the commanding officer thus
Should this command succeed in effectiug
all the objects for which il is intended. the
beneficial consequences to our country will be
great On the other hand, should this move
ment be stamped with disaster, no longer can
even hope be INDUCED Of the frontiers main
tanning their ground. But from tire officer
who commands and those commanded BY
him, the most fialerlng expectations may h.
indulged." Thus was the late of the frontier
second time s,aked on the fortunes of the
defender OF Fort Harrison.
In pursuance of his orders, Mai. Taylot
proceeded TO the mouth of Rock nver, against
rapid current, and amid the dangers Of a
lurking enemy. FIVE hundred miles above the
highest settlement or post on the Mississippi.
Contrary TO his expectations and those OF the
general, he found a detachment OF British
troops, well supplied with artillery, md an inl-
mense body OF Indians in possession of the
place. After skrnishing with the Indians.
and beng sometime canonaded BY the British,
without possibility OF returning their fire
with effect, he dropped down to the rapid
Desmoine, and having landed his forces, Sc.
cured his boats aud fortified his camp, and
commenced fort so situated as 10 command
the Mississippi and the mouth OF the Des.
NONE. The erection of this fort in the face
of the enemy and Of so great distance from
the source OF supply, was attended with Pc
cullar hazard, and almost incredible privalon
and toll. Bot the judgment, resolution, and
skill oil the commander, seconded by his ami
mating example, surmounted every obstacle.
enabled him 10 complete his important labor
and 10 realize the most sanguine expectations
of his superior.
The death Of Gen Howard in October.
called Major Taylor TO ST. Louis. In Noyem
Der he accompanied Col. Russell several hun
dred miles up the Missouri, 10 secure small
settlement on that river, left much exposed 10
Indian depredations. Ia December he was
again ordered 10 Nincennes, 10 take command
of the troops in Indiana, where he remained
until the conclusion Of peace. "When we
look back" continues the blographer, "on the
many important services rendered b. this OH
Ger to his country during the late war when
we reflect on the peculiar perls and hardships
10 which those services must have pefpetualy
exposed him, performing as he did, in ono
year, marches IN the territories Of Indiana, II
llnols and Missouri, amounting TO more than
5000 miles, and find no solitary instance in
which the extent OF his achievements did net
exceed the scanty measure Of his means we
cannot restrain the expression OF our regret al
his detention from those glorious fields Of civ
llized combat, where his genious might have
borne him 10 nobler enterprise. and his vaor
displayed ltseli on conspicuous theatre"
This was written nearly thirty Yeas ago.
What is said of the dispropor,ion between
his means and achievements is far more stri-
klngly true ofthe great deeds which have since
immortallzed his name. Mr. b. Is interesting
sketch thus concludes
"With frame fitted for the most active and
hardy enterprise, an ardent spirit, sanguine
temper, and an inyincible courage, gifted with
a rapid discernment, discriminating Judge
ment, and deep knowledge Of mankind, and
possessing heart susceptible Of the most gen
Gus impulses Of humanity, we regard Major
I Taylor as an officer of peculiar promise, and
hazard, we think but little in the prediction
that, in the event OF war al no distant period
between the United States and England or
Spain, riding on the tide Of military glory, he
will find his true level at the head Of the ar.
my"