Wheeling times and advertiser. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1839-1849, 1848-07-06
LIFE AND CHARACTER OF
zachary xUyS0r.


.l6 formed an era not uuimpertant IN the bis
tory of this country, as well as IN the HE OF
'ien Tay'or. Texas had been admitted 10
his Union, al year. negotiation had iaiieo
70 satisfy Mexico that the United States had
,ot committed agaiGst her an act not ~ ac'
cordance with our treaty OF peace ana ine"d-
hip,-and moi authorized by tue known laws
Il civilized nations.
Mexico had in population OF 7,UeVVO'' '''
army OF fighting men Of 100000, some .,
hem well drilled, well provided, and we'll
aounted, which could be dispatched TO any
lart OF the Mexican States almost at a mo
nent's warning. They were accustomed to
var. had experience in their war OF lndepend-
nee, which occurred but few years before;
nd in their frequent revolutions and civil
sroils. while even the regular army OF the
United States had known nothing of the re
.lities OF war except who a few OF them had
,een under Gen Taylor in the Florida cam
,agns.
With this Disadvantages and that of seeking
i foreign toe upon soil aud in climate TO
which that foe was accustomed, Gen. Taylor
and his little band left the United States Tor
Corpus Christi, and Corpus Christi for the
Rio Grande, TWO hundred miles, through
Fairies aud Chaparal, where the sun poured
down its intense heat and even the few flow
RS, and the water courses were dried up by its
power There was glory in that march, hard
and gloomy as II was. There was glory III ii
beyond the glory of many well fought fields
The name OF Gen Taylor, bioh bat "a few
months before, Was scarcely Known, was noy
IN every mouth. IL Was breBihed in the cit
les, where carpet knights moved happy tC
sweet music aud where paths OF JOY were
hghted with smiles of beauty. 1t was ut.
tered in the bills where the woodsmant
hearth gave welcome TO the weary traveller
and the host with thrilling frame and anxi ,u,
ear inquired OF news from the gallant banC
that had gone forth to meet well armed Toe
as the son of Israel, with his simple sling ant
pebble from the brook, 10 meet fierce an(
! pONNliul CHILD lIAH VI GU DuiuItu lCllS.-
Not human heart beat III this Union which
did not still its throb 10 listen to the news o
our martyr patriots, our little army in tn,
wilderness. And many. too, were the pre-
dctions uttered, that none would return t
tell the hero's deeds, Or how that little banc
was slaughtered by the foe. We remembe
icnce expressing that fear in the hearing OF
middle aged and respectable traveller. He re
piled, little do you know oil Zachary Tay Tor
we, who know him have Lo fears for his ar
my. Mexico with all her soldiers, can ne
lher surprize, slarve or fight ihat little army
unless they first, BY stratagem, kill Zachary
Taylor"
We knew the speaker was not one 10 adop
an opinion hastily, or express one without
mature consideration. and IRON that time be-
gan to entertain hopes OF the result-almost
d hope against hopG-a hope however, fully
Justified by the result.
: Gen Taylor and his army arrived upon the
Rio Grande Oh the 29th March.
The 10th OF April, was signalized by the
first shedding Of American blood by Mexican
hands. Colonel Cross, Deputy Quarter Mas
ter General, had ridden cut, as was his Gus
tom, for exercise. Night coming on lie did
not return, and alarm began TO be ielt Tor his
safety. Attached TO the Mexican army, were
then, as now, irresponsible parties OF caval-
~, whose business was rather assassination
and robbery, than honorable wariars. Ii
was feared, that Colonel Cross had fallen a
victim 10 one Of these bands, and ten DAYS
afterwards his remains Were found and iden-
tiHed. Information was then received, which
lei; no reasonable doubt thai such had been
the mode of his death His memory was hon
CURED, by tine comma nder-in- chief, by iuner-
al becoming his rank.
General Ampudia arrived ia Matamoros on
the ! lth He was welcomed by his country
men; and, TO the army under Taylor, his com
log was hailed as the signal OF definite action
on the part OF Mexico. The suspense did
not last long. On the following morning, "a
military deputation, from General Ampudia
delivered the subj Joined letter to General Tdv-
ior:-
Head Quarters at Malamoras, O'Clock p NJ.
Fourth Military Division,