Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1848-07-29
GENERAL TAYLOR.

era Taylor is by Col Humphrey Marshall,
Democrat, of Kentucky. We commend
it TO the attention of all who desire TO know
from unprejudiced testimony. something of
the old Generals character:
"My service in Mexico frequently brought me
near to Gen. Taylor, and was industrious in my
examination OF the actual character OF the man
whenever opportunity was presented. have no
motive TO deceive you, and you must take the i'm,
ptessions | received for what they are worth. IL
desired 10 express in the (ewest words what man.
ner Of man Gen. Taylor is, should say, that
in his manner and his appearance he is one Of the
transferred from his tent at Monterey to this as.
sembly, and he would not be remarked among this
crowd Of respectable old farmers, as man ct all
distinguished from those around him. Perfectly
temperate ia his habits; perfectly plain in his
dress; entirely unassuming in his manners, he APP
pears TO be an old gentleman in fine health, whose
thoughts not turned upon his personal appear.
ance, and who has no point about him 10 attract
particular attention. In his intercourse with men,,
he is free, frank and manly. He plays of no airs,
like some great men whom have met. Any one
may approach hun as nearly as can be desired,
and the more closely his character is examined
the greater beauties he discloses.
l. He is an honest man. | do not mean by
that merely that he does not chea, or lie. mean
that he is man that never Ensembles and who
scorns all DISCUSSES He neither acts part among
his friends for effect, nor assumes 10 be what he
is not. Whenever he speaks you hear what he
honestly believes and whether right or wrong,
you feel assurance that he has expressed his real
opinion His dealings with men have been OF the
most varied character, and have never heard his
honest name stained by the breath Of the slightest
reproach. sr. .F..s .a.....
2. He is man of rare good judgment. BY
no means possessed Of that brilliancy Of genius
which attracts by its flashes, yet, like the meteor,
expires even while you look upon III by no means
possessing that combination oil talent which pene
trates instantly the abslruest subject, and meas
ures its length and breadth ash by ncuiton, Gen.
Tayler yet has that order Of intellect which more
slowly but quite surely masters all that it en-.
cages, and examines all the combinations OF which
the subject is susceptible. When he announces
his conclusion, you feel confident that he well un.
derslands The ground upon which he plants him.
SELF and yet rest assured that the conclusion is the
deduction OF skill and sound sense faithfully ap.
piled 10 the matter in hand. 1t is this order OF
mind which has enabled him, unlike many other
officers of the army, to attend TO the wants Of his
lanily, by so using the means at his disposal as
10 surround himself in his old age with hand.
some private fortune, and 10 be blessed with an
amos, perfect constitution. l would 10 day pre-
Ter his advice in any matter Of private interest!
would take his opinion as 10 the value Of an es.
tate; would rather follow his suggestions in
scheme where property or capital was 10 be EN-.
barked; would pursue more confidently his coun.
sci where the management OF on army was invol.
we'd, or the true honor Of my county was at stake
than any other man have known. | regard his
Judgment as being first rate at every thing, from
a horse trade up to trade in human life upon the
field OF battle. .s ~ ..- -.
g. He is a firm man and possessed of great
energy Of character. 1t were waste Of time 10
dwell upon these traits Of his character, ror his
military career has afforded such abundant ex.
amples OF his exercise Of these qualities as to
render them familiar to every citizen who has
ever heard or read Of the man. In his army they
are daily exhibited, and stand conspicuously dis
played in every order which emanates from his
pen. E..
4. He is benevolent man. This quality has
been uniformly. displayed in his treatment Of the
prisoners who have been placed in his power by
the vicissitudes OF war. No man who had seen
him alter the battle OF Buena VISTA as he ordered
the wagons 10 bring in the Mexican wounded
from the battle field and heard him as he at once
his own men that he was alive 10 all the
kinder impulses of our nature. The ndscretions
oil youth he chides with paternal kindness, yet
with the decision which forbids their repetition,
and the young men Of his army feel that it is
pleasure to gather around him, because they know
they are as welcome as though they visited the
hearth stone Of their own home, and they are al.
ways as freely invited 10 partake OF what he has
10 offer as IL they were under the roof OF father.
His conduct in spariDg the deserters who were
captured al Buena Vista, exhibited at the same
lime IN remarkable manner his benevolence and
his Judgment. "Don'l shoot them," said he, the
worst punishment will inhct is 10 return them
10 the Mexican army" When Napoleon said
10 one OF his battalions, "Inscribe il on their flag,
mo longer OF the army Of Italy" He used an
expression which was deemed so remarkable tina,
history preserved it for the admiration of future
ages; yet it was not more forcble as an ilIus,ra
lIon oil his power in touching the springs of hu. |
man action than is that OF Gen. Taylor Illustrative
oil the manner in which Gen. Taylor would make
an example for the benefit OF the army.
D, lie as a man of business habits. | never
have known General Taylor 10 give up day to
pleasure have never visited his quarters without
seeing evidence OF the industry with which be
Io'led' 1t his talented sdjutant was surrounded
by papers, so was the General; and though he
would salute visitor kindly, and bid him with
familiar grace to amuse himself until he was a,
leisure, he would never interrupt the duties which
his station called on him TO perform. When these
We're closed for the day, he seemed to enjoy to q
remarkable degree the vvacity OF young officers. |
and be glad to mingle in their society. As con.