Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1848-09-06
ISLANDERS ON GEN. TAYLOR.

The Memphis Appeal and Gen. Levin III. Coe
having undertakenio make political capital for Gen.
Cass by slandcrng the Old Hero of Buena Vista,
he was written to the subject, and in the letter
below, which copy from the Memphis Eagle,
nailed the lies to the counter. We much mistake
the character OF the people of Tennessee, without
respect TO party, If they will permit an old soldier
to be atrociously slandered and libelcd day after
day, without visiting with their deepest reproba-
tion, the authors of such iniqui,ies.--Na Int.
The following is Gen. Taylor's letter:
BATON ROUGE, La, Aug. 5, 1913.
My DEAR SIR:-Your esteemed letter of the
18th ut., enclosing slip cut from the "Memphis
Appeal" was this moment received, containing
statements said To have been made by me disre
spcctiu ct the rOttnteers. amoug others, that had
said they mol ,rorlh their raiions and this can
be proved, together with many other evidences of
unkindness towards them my part all OF which
is without the slightest foundation. There is but
little doubt in my mind that he who inven,s false
hood to inure his neighbor OF fellow citizen as
well rs he who lends himself to, and aids in civ
ing circulation TO the same knowing it to be false,
would not hesitate one moment TO swear to it on
the Holy Bible. My numerous official reports 10
the War Department in relation to the gallant and
patriotic volunteers, which have been SD extensive
ly published in most of the leading public Journals
of the country, give the lie direct to the statements
in question; and which the gentlemen of the ssAp-
peal'' might have known had they looked an inch
beyond their noses, wished to have made them
selves acquainted with all the facts in the case be-
fore they published so gross Islander in regard to
one who had never injured them and whose only
crime was that his name, without his agency in
the matter, had been brought before the country by
portion of his fellow citizens, for the first office
in the gift ola great and free people.
As TO the romantic story about the wounded SOL
der, at Buena Vista Gin connection with Mexican
lady } which ended so tragically, and who is said
to have been shot by my order, it is without the
slightest foundation nothing Of the kind, OF even
approaching itever took place; nor do believe was
ever heard of except at Memphis and vicinity, be-
fore it was published in the ''Appea;'' it is on
par with the story that had spoken dsrespeclfuly
OF, and otherwise outraged the volunteers; and 4
more base and heartless calumny was never prop
agated. Not drop of American blood was shed
by my order while in Mexico, nor that of Mexi-
can. except in the heat of battle
The whole matter contained in said slip is too
silly TO be credited, nor would have noticed it
had not deemed it proper to reply TO your friendly
communication.
L must, from my position, expect 10 be assailed
by many INSCRIPTIONS editors of newspapers as
well as hired demagogues, without regard TO truth,
decency, any thing else have therefore made
up my mind not TO suffer such things to annoy me,
let them emanate from what quarter they NAV /;
but to ''pursue the even tenor Of my way,'' with
out turning to the right the left to notice them
With considerations of high respect and esteem,
Your friend and ob't servant.
II. TAYLOR