The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1847-05-08
General Zachary Taylor.

] newspapers are CuITltu lItt
General Zachary Taylor.
Who is Gen. Taylor? What is his early
history? These questions are often asked,
and are in part answered by the following
biographical sketch which we take from the
Newark Advertiser:
ale comes from an ancient Virginia fami-
| " which emigrated from England, with 9TH
er friends ofliberty, and settled in the eastern
part of Virginia, near two centuries ago-a
family which has since been greatly distin-
guis!ied in its various branches, and which
included within lis connections such names
rs James Madison, John Taylor of Caroline,
Judge Peudleton, Gen. Hunt, &c. General
Tayor's father was one of the most daring
ofthose enterprising pioneers who settled
the dark and bloody ground which defines
t." Indian word Kentucky, and many anec-
dotes are told of his prowess in desperate en-
counters with the savages.
He became also man ofeminence in civ
il life, and was member ofthe Electoral
Colleges which voted for Jefferson, Madison,
Monroe. and Clay. He died Oh his estate
near Lexington, in 1896, leaving four SONS, Of
whom odd lack il the third, and, we believe
one or two daughters. The eldest on,Gen-
eral James Taylor, who was a Quarter Mas
ter General in the Army during the war of
1912, now resides at Newport, (Ky.) at the adj
vanced age ofeighty years.
His more distinguished brother was born
i'll Kentucky, two years before its admission
into the Union: aud is now, therefore, about
fifty six years of age. Having stout, vigor-
Gus frame, he was early distinguished for
teatS of manly character, and many amusing
anecdotes are told of his achievements in the
sports of boyhood. The same 1oresig
tirmness and decision. which have since so
attracted public admiration, are said 10 have
characterized his whole course through all
the shifting circumstances ofllie. Soon at
ter the affair olthe Chesapeake and Leopard,
previous 10 the war of 1912, he, being then
eighteen years of age, received from Mr. JET
iGrson I'm 1903 the appointment of Lieut..
in the Seventh Infantry, and commenced that
military career which has now been crown
ed with imperishabe fame.
His strict observance of duty, and dstin-
guished merit as Il disciplinarian. soon conf
uended him for promotion, and at the OPEN
ing of the war of 1912, we find him Cap
tain in his regiment. Having been entrust-
ed with the command of Fort Harrison, on
the Wabash, with garrison of fifty men, he
greatly distinguished himselfin that year by
his successful defence of it against tormi-
dnblc attack by large body of Indians, and
/,
vet rank of Major. His we'll known skill in
Indian warfare, acquired in his brilliant ca
reer in the Northwest Territory, secured for
him the command of the First Brigade OF the
Army of the South, and it was at the head of
: that division that he won the bloody battle of
Lake Okee Chobee. during the Florida cam
paign of 1885, and for which achievement he
was brevetted Brigader General After
four or five years arduous service i'll the
swamps and hammocks of Florida. he was
assigned to the command of the first depart.
ment of the Army at Fort Jesup, where the
order to Texas and the Rio Grande found
him.
BY his marriage with lady of Maryland
General Taylor has one son and two daugh-
tiers, one of whom is married TO Col. Davis
) of the Mississippi regiment, who was severe
ly wounded a. Buena Vista. But to pursue
his military career further in the midst oftht
glowing enthusiasm ofthe country over hi
brilliant achievements in Mexico, would bC
idle, and the receipt ofthe Southern mail, al
we write, compels us to defer notice 9th,
| higher qualities which commend him to tht
t confidence and respect ofhis countrymen."
Awe notice that several papers contin
ue to speak seriously of E. A. Kimball, a
captain" &c., and the Caledonian of tn,
Oath i'll an article under the head of "LocOto
cos, uhoy" speaks ofthe skill exhibited sin or
der to fill up his company" &c. We pre-
sumo from the tone of the article, the edito
has reference to that''nice young mdn'who as
sumes to have control of the columns of the
cage" in which so much has been said OF lat
concerning "MeXicans at home" and "MeXi
cans abroad" five are right in our pre-
sumption, we would inform our friends tina
they are entirely mistaken in the man.
Kimball, ofthe Age ,although, in his pape
a few weeks since advertised himselfas "Cap
tain of Infantry" and called loudly for volun
teers, has fully "backed out" and shown him
self in his true position. He has exhibited
that his patriotism extended but skin deep
and that his aim was to graspa portion ofthc
plumber instead of doing service for his coun
try. May we not hereafter expect chapter
weekly, from him, under the head of"aid anC
comfort to the enemy?"
Gen. o. ii, Nichols ofWhite River, as VIZ