Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-09-16

OURS DC Tic ihorc grateiul Occupduon Va etoaPHf
in one picture those traits of his personal cha
racter and qualities which attract towards him tn
respectful and even affectonate regards OF thos
who like us, desire to fnd in their candidate 10
such an Office the Presidency, some other re
commentator than the most brilliant and well
earned military fame.
Not that we shall, or can, overlook either tn
military history the military merit OF the General
He cannot be separated from them Nor need any
friend of his desire that he should for they become
him worthily. The garrison, the march, the camp
the battlefield, have been scenes in which he has
exhibited, all his life long, qualities which com
mand respect. He has not, perhaps, IN the midst
his arduous public service sacrificed to the Graces al
successfully as some have done who take exception
to the plainness of his dress and simplicity OF ms
manners. Heis in truth no carpet knight" Blu
he is what ought to make him hundred times
more acceptable to the People; he is, beyond all
doubt or question: good and honest man.
| Though we have never, that we know oil, met
Gen. TAYLOR face to face, he is yet very old ac.
quantance of ours. It is just six and thirty years
ago, at the moment when the heart of the country
was depressed by Hulrs surrender of his army al
Detroit, that news was received in this city of the
successful defence of Fort Harrison by General
then Captain) ZACHARY TAYLOR, against vastly
superior force of Indians, under circumstances
which rendered resistance almost hopeless, but
which the then young but indomitable courage and
energy of our Captain enabled him to overcome.
The effect Of this news was such as can hardly be
realized at the present day, when the Imagination
has become familiar with war on a grander scale /;
but it turned the whole current Of public feeling at
once, and inspired new confidence in the ability
of our arms to maintain the defence OF the then
feeble and sparsely populated frontier. For this
gallant exploit Mr.. MADISON conferred on young
TAYLOR the Brevet of MAJOR, the first brevet con-
ferred in the war of 1912, and now the Oldest in
the army. .....
From that day the name of TAYLOR has ever held
secure place in our memory, though 1t had not,
until the time of his taking charge of the Army OF
Observation" often met our view. We knew,
however, that during ahe whole time he was almost
always upon hard duty, and performed it well /;
especially in the harassing Black Hawk war, and
in the Florida war; in which last he distinguished
himself no less by his gallantry and by his success
in battle, than by personal department which ac-
ouired for him the attachment of all who served
with him.
Passing over the intermediate part of his military
career, we must hasten to the period when his or
ders from the War Department placed him in COM
mand in wider field, and charged him with
duties the execution of which brought him at once
in full view before us. We REFER of course, to the
time of his assuming the command of the forces
gathered together ostensby to protect the frontier
of Texas, but destined afterwards to more active
and dangerous service.
Let us paw our first respects to him in his en-
campment at Corpus Christi, some weeks after i
was established, a sandy beach of three mills in
length, without tree or a shrub TO ward of the
MONDAY rays Of an almost vertical sun. Or
approaching the headquarters OF the General, con
sisting of single wall-tent, one is struck with
the simple and severe soldierlke aspect of all lis
surroundings. On visiting the General, we are
met by frank hearty welcome from one whose
simplicity of attire would not have designated him
in the groupe from which he issues, as the Com
mander of that gallant little army. This, however
is Gen. TAYLOR The first interview with him
convinces you that he is kind-hearted gen.
,leman, all Of the olden time )" an impress.
sion which every days further intercourse would
have confirmed, with the additional conviction Of
his frankness and decision Of character.
As the season advanced and the temperature ofthe
night air became cooler, large "camp fire" would
blaze forth every evening in front Of the Generals
tent, and here might always be found assembled off,
GERS from the highest to the lowest in grade, some.
times in larger and sometimes in smaller bodies, seat
ed as best they could, listening to and contributing
to the recitas which such gatherings would natu.
rally call forth All would be welcome and received
with unaffected good nature. This Promiscuous and
free intercourse would strike you most favoraby
for, whilst every man was expected TO do his duty
no one seemed so anxious in the hours OF relaxation
to promote the comfort and happiness Of all as
the Commanding General How well he succeed
ed can be best answered by the fact, that during
the entire campaign, no of ''the Old Guard" wa:
ever heard speak of the General otherwise than II
: terms Of friendship. To the sick he was uniform
: " kind and attentive and no officer had the mis-
fortune to appear the sick list without recelvn!
a visit from the General.
r The taking possession Of Corpus Christi was tn
first act in the drama Of this war and this hrs
II.