Wheeling times and advertiser. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1839-1849, 1848-06-28
LIFE AND CHARACTER OF
ZachNk.W XNWyOs'.

AGtANA AEtNE
The emissaries of the English Government
had been employed among the Indian Tribes
and had iocited anew their hostility, in order
to ouell which, Gen Harrison, Governor oil
The Northwest territory, was ordered 10
march a force into the Indian country. In
the nrogress Of this expedition he erected, on
the Wabash river, a Tort or stockade, when
was named Fort Harrison. This Tort was
then far beyond the western white settle
ments. and in the heart OF the Indian coui-
try. surrounded by dense forests and gloomy
rayines. dificult of access by the whites III
any force, and cut off from supplies except
with lone and tedious delays aud great dan
ger.
Lieutenant TAYLOR assisted in erecting this
fort. and was afterwards closely engaged i'll 1t
in watching and thwartiEg the movements oil
the indians. His marriage had taken place in
1910. and he left at home a young vile and
child with whom all communication was cut
off, or 50 long interrupted that he was ire
ouently supposed TO have fallen a victim to
the savage foe.
In 1872. he received from President Madi.
son a Carts. commission, and was then plac-
ed in command OF Fort Harrison.
Congress declared war against England dur
inc this year. and almost simultaneously, the
Indian tribes, painting for blood and jealous
of the whites upon their hunting grounds,
were easily melted to hostile demonstrations
by he scarcely less savage agents and soldiers
of England. Led on by Tecumseh and the
prophet, who had unlimited power over them
and courage and talent for almost any enter
prize. the extent OF savage ardor and leroclty
was almost uncomfortable
Three months after the declaration oil war
with England, the followers of these daring
and successful chiefs Numbering thousands,
were banded for the purpose of attacking tort
Harrison, and destroying the defenders there
of, in the depths OF the forest. The whole
force of the Young Capt Taylor consisted OF
but fifty men, two thirds Of whom were on
the sick list, and he was, himself, just recov-
ering from an attack of the fever prevailing
in that fat and unsettled country.
The first reliable inlimation he had Of the
intended attack was on the 81 of September,
hearing guns at a short distance where two
Young men were at work. The discovery OF
their bodies mangled and scalped. proved too
clearly the presence of Indians. In order, to
deceive him and throw him off his guard, a
deputation from the Prophets party with a
white flag and professions Of peace, appeared
near the font on the evening of the 4th; but
the Young hero too we'll understood that the
peace of the savage tribes, when once having
tasted blood, was but the peace OF the grave,
and he redoubIed his precautions, served SIX
rounds of cartridge to each, and requiring
great care. His force was so small that
a sufficient number of ~sentinels could not be
posted to protect the whole extentof the out
works, but the officer Of the guard was order
ed to make the tour of the inside through the
night.
An hour before midnight that portion Of the
little band who seemed destined for sacrifice,
were aroused by the firing of muskets 10 find
The foe upon them. On their approach, the
s~entinels retired within the house and the In
dams had already set fire to the lower part OF
the building. Never were men in more imi-
nent peril, never, not even at the battle OF
Buena Vista, the cfoNning field OF his glory
was the situation of Zachary Taylor more per-
ilous. nor did he require more courage, more
tirmness or more judgment to extricdte MN
self from il and defeat the toe. he had but
seventeen men fit for duty, and those were
worn out with watching and the arduous du-
ties of tending the sick. To add to the en-
barfassment and confusion OF the scene, the
fort contained nine women and several chill
dren, who aroused by the fire of he guns and
the Wells OF the foe, added to the tumult ~
their fears and cries. Never was firmness,
Judgement, heroism aud all the qualities that
make up the great man more loudly called
for; but the young hero was equal to this task
as to all Others. He maintained his compo-
sure and presence of mind, and ordering one
party to carry buckets OF water to extinguish
the fumes. assisted and encouraged the 9TH
er in their defence against the assailants. The
fire communicated to d quantity of Whiskey
in The store room, which blazed up to the roof
and seemed TO defy every effort to suppress il,
All was apparently lost and death by fire or
The Indian tomahawk seemed the only alter
native; but sill was heard the calm, stern
tones OF the hero above the cracking OF the
flames and the wells Of the saysges, direcling
lis en- and encouraging them to their utmost,
and by tearing way a part Of the root over
the fire and keeping the remainder wet, it
was confined to the rooms in which it origi-
mated. The men. who at first shrank from the
imminent peril before them, minated by the
c.uraee sad decision OF their commander,