Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1847-10-20
HIGH TRIBUTE TO GEN. TAYLOR

Inc New York Literary World'' of the I'd
inst, is enriched by brief paper from the pen Of
Mf' Stephens, who acquired both celebrity and for
June lew years since, by his interesting s.Inci
dents of Travels in the Holy Land, and at Ia
Ter period by his discoveries in Central America
MT ,. was one of the passengers on board our
splendid steamer Washington, on her first voyaqe
To Europe, and he avaed himself of her brief de-
ten'ion at bremen TO pay visit to Baron Alexan-
der Won Humboldt, whom he found residing with
the King OF Prussia i'm the palace at Potisdam 3o
miles from Berlin. After an interesting description
Oh 'i'o Iarons personal appearance and pursuits in
his green old age, MIR. Stephens proceeds to say.
Out OF Europe, Mexico seems to be the country
whicn interested him most perhaps from its con-
neci.on with those countries which had brouoht ,,ie
To MS acquaintance, or more probably, because it
was the foundation of his own early fame He
spoke of Mr.. Prescotts History of the Conquest.
AMI said that might, when the opportunity offer
ed, say to that gentleman from himself that
there was no historian of the age, in England or
Germany, equal to him.
''And he was keenly alive to the present cond;
ton of Mexico he was full of our Mexican war:
his eyes were upon Gen. Taylor and the Ameri
, can army. was well aware that in the conduct
OF this war, Gen. Taylor was drawing upon him
sell the eyes OF all Europe and that whatever
might be the differences OF opinion as TO its neces
SHY or justice, 1t was producing everywhere in
monarchcal and anti-republican countries, stronp
impression of our ability and power for war
which, IN enlightened (O Europe, even at this day.
more IMAM all Ihe fruits OF peace industry and eX-
tended commerce. more than the exhibition Of TWEEN
! ~ millions OF people Astounding in all the comforts
oil me- raises us to the rank of first rate po,yer'
and makes US respected
"Baron Humboldt said that with one Of his own
maps before them. the King and his military coun-
Gil had followed General Taylor from his cncamp
ment at Corpus Christi, to Palo Alto and Resaca
/ de la Palma through the storming of Monterey.
and the bloody scenes of Buena Vista-'rhev had
fought over ali his battles, and with his positions
all marked on the map, were then looking for fur
ther tldings. They had seen and appreciated all
his difficulties at Bucna Vista. In Prussia war is
science, and according to the leading policy of Flu
rope, to be always ready for war; every male in
Prussia, the highest nobIcman's son moi eXcepted
IS compelled to serve his regular term in the army
In the teeth of all settled opinions and as it were
upSott!ng the whole doctrine of standing armies
General Taylor, with a handful Of regulars and n
small body OF volunteers who had never been in
battle had stood up for whole day AGAINST = rnur.
derous fire. and had finally defeated four times his
number. Field hlarshais and Generals of Prussia.
among them veterans who had studied the art NJ
war on the great battle fields of Europe. We're
struck with admiration at the daring and skill dis
played at Buena Vista and his admiration Baron
Humboldt said, they expressed without reserve.
freely, publicly, and everywhere. Amid the bit
ternCss and magnity of the English Press il WAS
grateful TO hear from such lips, that the LEADING
military men of military nation did justice to the
lntrePdity and ilrmness OF our volunteers, and TO
the courage skill, and high military talents of Gen
Taylor while Baron Humboldt's comments npor
his dispatches and orders, and in fact upon all thai
related to him personally IN the conduct of In,
war, were such no American could listen /,
without feeling proud