Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1847-10-09


lowing characteristic anecdotes of old Rouph
and Ready toa correspondent Of the N. Y. He.
raid They a,e Of course, Interesting:
The character of General Taylor is wetsy
much what it is represented. He is mild and
afF,ble, yet firm and uniinching II a soldier
under his command thinks he is segrieved, i,
is To the General he looks fer redress, and nev
er fails in getting il, ia case General Taylor,
on inquiry, sscertsins it to be we'll founded. -
The 'oid man. ss he is familiarly termed Ly
ofhcsre and men, is spptoachebie at ali tours.
lie will sit and talk with the commouest soldier
in the most sffabie msaaer, and my Informant
tells me that he has often wondered at seeing
him enter minutely into the private stfairs of
the soldiers under HE command, give them his
advice when asked. as il frequently is, and when
that is over, read to them from the newspapers
the anecdotes Of the army, which have made
their way into print 10 the northern cities, At
which he would laugh az heartily ss any Of
them. He is beloved BY all in his command,
officers and men. All take pleasure in ooey-
ing his commands; and when an order is given
by him, there s emulation among all who hear
it, obey it, His treatment Of the Mexicans 10
marked with the same urbanity. They. sccot.
ding to my informant, at least such Of them as
have been 10 the habit Of serving the camp with
milk and other little mic macs, love him as much
ns his own soldiers DO.
Ga a certain occasion one Of these poor cres-
lures complained to lie Cdpitana that voiun-
teer had entered his rancho. and appropriated
to his own use some of his ediblee, without pay.
ing for them. Now this was breach OF orders
which Gen. Taylor could not overlook, SO he
had the marsuder indentified by the Mexican.
and brought before him. The General examin-
ed and cross.examined him, 10 relation TO the
offence. for upwards Of two hours, at the end Of
which tine he arrived at the conclusion that
the volunteer was not quite so much TO blame as
the accuser represented, but thought him de.
serving of some punishment, and what WAS the
punishment do you suppose he inflicted upon
him! Why he directed a barrel TO be placed
in front of his tent, directed the volunteer TO
mount it, and kept him standing there for two
words about not doing the like sgain. &c. and
sent him back to his quarters. Occasionally it
occurs that man will want 10 write letter to
HIS friends, and has no materials To do 30. With
out hesitation he applies to the 'old man. and
gets all he wants, pen, ink, and paper, and wa
fer. which comes from his private stock, which
is always at the service Of the soldiers.
We have all heard the soubviqtet of Rough
and Ready hac its origin in the Florida war, in
which Gen. Taylor treated the red skins in the
toughest way and in the readiest manner; but
| have not seen il stated when il was first used
in this war. According to Sergeant Harris, it
was in this war: Alter the memorable battles
OF Rcsaca de Ia Palma and Pslo Alto, the old
General directed the men TO be brought up be.
fore him in review, which was OF course done.
While reviewing them to see, no doubt, how
they looked after their scrmmage with the vel
low bellies, an old soldier, who served under
him in The Florida war, proposed At the top OF
his voice, Three cheers for old Rough and Rea.
dy which were given with all honors. A.
coon as they had subsidized, the old General, evc.
ry feature 10 his open countensnce speaking
volumes, gracefully took off his chspeau, aud
returned thanks, and added, 'Gentlemen, would
be happy 10 treat you all, but have got nothing
except some Rio Grande water with which Il
do il.
On one occasion a volunteer getting tired o
discipline, thought he would relieve himself o
tor l.ssf nd af 10 hsQ m
ted himself for week without leave, and made
a trip to the country. As soon as his absencs
was known to the camp he was proclaimed q de
serter, and men sent in pursuit him. He re
turned, however. before he was arrested, snc
Immediately made his way to the old Gene
raj, and told him in mitigation of punishment
that he was always accustomed to open back
wood life, and it went hard with him to he con
fined So much. .Well, tsaid the General) don
do SO again. my boy, without leave and direct
ed him to go to his quarters. That nan, say
my informant, thinks General Taylor the bes
man living. and he would willingly loose life i,
selfat his bidding.
Gen. Taylor's mojesty is equalled by magns
nimity. Ii was not known IN camp until thre
weeks after il was known TO the General hin
self, that he had received a Brcvet, and all III
army heard Of the sword presentation to hin
was through the papers.
SEAsoNABLr EIsTs The Journal of Healf
has the following remarks upon sleeping in col
bedrooms, which are quite appropriate TO II