Weekly national intelligencer., 1848-10-28
PERSONAL CHARACTER OF GEN TAYLOR.

making itself known. True modesty is the off
spring of true merit, and "yaunteth not ITSELF"
Thus it is with General TAYLOR Distinguished no
less for his modesty than for his great military ex-
plots, the public has been left to discern by chance
and by little his shining social and domestic vir-
tues and, like other truly great men, the better he
becomes known, the brighter does his character be-
come. Every body knows him as a successful
commander, who has achieved some Of the most
brilliant victories of which history furnishes any
record and every body is acquainted with the cou-
rage, judgment, and presence of mind by which
these triumphs were won but many have yet to
learn the full beauty of his private character We
have been led to these remarks by meeting. during
the same hour, but in different papers, with the an
nexed articles, each disclosing some new trait and
new beauty in the personal character of the good
and brave General:
Letter from the Rev. THoaAs SAVAGE, of Bedford Ne,o
Hampshire, to a gentleman in Salem, Massachusetts,,
dated
BEDroRD, IN. H. SEPTEMBER ls, ls4s
DfAR SIR Since my return from a visit at the South,
many inquiries have been made Of concerning Gen. TAr
Lon, with whom had repeated interviews last winter both
in Mississippi and Louisiana Such is the solicitude in the
Puuc u OH is supJec dEu 80 ieW 10 nls secuOn OF the
country have any personal knowledge of this distinguished
man, THAI have thought it my duty to commit writing my
recocctons of him, such incidentally gathered om
few social calls at his leisure moments.
Having known something of each other twenty five years
Baton Rouge where then engaged in the Chris
an ministry there waprobaby less Of ceremony about our
intercourse than if we had been entire strangers Gen TAr
is Of plain sense conversng freely on all
practical subjects and with mdness and modey you would
hardly expect from who has passed his life amid the
Of camp and the hardshps Of the tented field.
predominant trait in his character, which any
Slight acquaintance cannot fail to notice. is nperurbabe
calmness and selfpossesson saw man more free
from any thing like nervous exciabily and this quality
should think, have contributed much any thing else
to the surprising that attended his movements in the
late Speaking of Bueua VISTA he mliarly remarked
to me- without the least idea that the conversation would
be repeated that his lips once twice during the
heat OF the engagement TO mention his officers the parallel
that occurred to him, TO disparity of forces between their
situation and that Of Henry v. at Agincourt. He also
said that at time during that memorable day. Of his
principal officers rode to h, expressing their decided
opinion that The was despateSana Anna had ankod
them-and they hope. "Gentlemen," was his repv
'tI cannot think with you exactly. The enemy may now
have placed himself the very position be beaten Thus
tnguished him through The whole action.
Gen. TAYLOR is humane. His victories were obtained so
far it dependedon him, with the least possible loss Of
life. He told that the siege of Monterey the ex
aordnay slaughter owing in part misunderstanding
Of his orders His humanity has endeared him exceedingly
10 the soldiers and confident It was not for effect but
the honest euson Of his feelings, when he wrote to Mr.
Clay in view Of the loss of brave men, " feel exua-
ton in success The following incident that occurred
some years ago, related to by gentleman, as we
were crossing Lake Pontchaain, last April As sat- in
the evening, the bow Of the mboa;, conyenng
indifferent Subjects it happened that Gen. TAYLoRs name
mentioned. He said he the Cooael one jay to-
ward the close the head Of s regiment having marched
with them foot a day. Being mounted himself on good
horse and knowing the regiment had miles further
go before hang for the night he offered Col T. his borse
The Colonel thanked him kindly, but declined saying his
soldiers would perform foot and he preferred 10 do the
same.
In private life the General is correct and exemplary. He
abstains from the Of artificial snurts He is crcum-
spect in the use Of anguage-noihng like profanity be
sured proceeding from his lips There nothing Of that
mpetuosiy about him that would beay hp into an oath
under any circumstances 10 say nothing Of the restraint from
higher considerations
In company, believe the General uniformly aable and
communicative noticed slg Int hesitation in his uteranco
which, at first gives the appearance Of embarrassment but
as the conversation proceeds passes away saw him gem
orally in citizens dress, and listened his remarks on
agriculture the passing topics Of the day. forgot the hero
Of Buena Vista in the planness and simplicity Of private
gentleman. You cannot be in his company half an hour
without deep impression that though great warrior he is
lover of the arts Of peace He convcrseJ like man who
has thought much and read much in the course Of his life
and whose leisure has been devoted to mental cultivation
Indeed, should think his literary auanmcns very re-
spectacle.
The likeness Of him that first appeared represented him
with too much OF the rough and wake expression. Some
have lately seen are very correct but the penetrating benc
VIOLENT black eye is wanting to give the reality OF life.
The Generals plantation is about thirty miles above Nat
chez, on the Mississippi iveproducing good year three
or four hundred bales Of cotton. His Richard an alum
Of Yale College, resides the esso-hs own residence
being at Baton Rouge. Though stakeholder think the
General is not to be identified with the sayehong system
Having passed his life amid other scenes and pursuits he is
prepared to ympahre with the North as well as the South
on all subjects pertaining TO the good Of common country
But was not my intention TO give any thing like political
bearing 10 my communication, and indeed should not feel
authorized to do it, for conversation was altogether on
other subjects.
know not how can better close than by giving remark
that casually fell fro his lips speaking of Duena Vista
One Of the he sad that be thought contributed the
wonderful result Of the action, the rash and reckless con-
fdence in themselves with which the Mexicans came on to