The Daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1845-1850, 1848-10-12
NoRrHBoRoUeH, Oct 10th. 1915

80 TAG 11otho| " me OpY,-DEAR SIR,-I
have seen letter in the True whig of the 5,h,
published at Worcester, from Rev. Fl. J. Lamb.
Of Peterboro', N. H., relative to the character
OF General Taylor, which is calculated to de-
ceive the public mind, and to misead people who
know nothing Of his character. Now | Would
not say word derogatory of Mr.. Lamb. He
labored zeaously to do good while he was at For,
JesuP' especially In the temperance cause-and
ne treated me and all the rest of the men there,
SO TAR as know with civility and kindness but
have seen as much Of General Taylor as he
has, having served in the Army under him, two
years at Fort Jesup, and through his campaign in
Mexico, until after the battle OF Buena Vista.
Mr.. Lambs letter contains statements which are
false, and ought to be contradicted As regards
General Taylor's habits, he is man OF retired,
and secluded habits, and naturally of very irri-
table temper; and although not in the constant
habit of swearing, he is sure to curse when he
is irritated, and that was very often the case
while he was with the Army For instance.
upon one occasion, when he was crossing river
IN boat that was ierried by means of rope.
stretched across the river, when they were in
slipped from the rope, and the boat wen down
with the current the men caught the oars 10
pull back TO the rope, and one of them IN his ex
element gave the first pull the wrong way.
The General saw him, and flew into violent
passion, and cursed him for fool, and other hard
names; struck him, nearly knocking him out of
the boat. Another time, at the battle of Monte
hn qpDta prJa
tain ii. W. Merrill, OF the I'd Dragons in whose
company | served, which order was not given
correctly, and when the General after wards saw
Merrill in the wrong place, he cursed and abu-
seq MIN In the most violent language, would
near no excuse, nor explanation /; but some DAYS
afterwards when he found out where The fs,,,,
was, he sent for Merrill, and apologized TO him
On these and other occasions, which it is need
less to mention, have heard him swear verv
badly. never heard him express himself upoo
political questions, although just before the troops
ieit ort Jesup he wrote sort OF an address, and
had IT read to the men as they were drawn upin
form OF dress parade, VIII erein he spoke APPROX
ingly OF annexation, and other measures Of the
administration, urging the officers and men, to
be united, and closing with that old motto, .Uni-
ted, we stand; divided we fall" 1t was verv
Hat mess OF stuff, and the men that stood near
me could scarcely refrain from laughing IN the
ranks. wish | had copy of it to send YOU.
| think all who would read it would be inclined
to believe him, aOhen he says he as not qualified
for the office Of President"
Mr. Lamb says he was invariably present al
Public worship on the Sabbath His memory
must serve him very badly. General TAYLOR
did not attend public worship more than third
part OF the time l attended as often as that NV
self, and | never saw him there but once OF
twice; and often used to ask Of persons, who
attended when did not, If General Taylor and
some other officers that | mentioned, were pre-
sent; and almost always received a negative
answer, with respect to the General The asser-
uons sbout the instruction, and piety of his ne
groeS, are equally incorrect.
AS regards Gen. Taylor's connection with the
temperance reform, the library, &c, at Fort Jes-
up: he had nothing to do with them at all, more
than to counenance them and rot give direct
order to put them down which no man would do
except he were hend in human shape. The
temperance society was formed in the absence OF
Gen. Taylor, while Col. Twiggs (now General
Iwiggs) had command of the post; and he was
called the father of the society, and did more for
it, and set brighter example in temperance, than
any other officer there, The proposition for
library was first made by some nom commissioned
officers and p:iyates. Subscription lists were
started by them, and most OF the money subscrib.
ed by them The project was made known 10
the officers and some OF them contributed liner.
ally towards it. do not recollect whether Gen.
Taylor did or not. We sent the money to New
York and bought nice library OF the Harpers
OF nearly thousand volumes; and il was cor
tainly great privilege that Gen Taylor allowed
us TO meet together evenings to promote temper.
ance, and to take our own books ane read them
Could any man do less
One OF the laws OF our temperance society wa.
that If nV man was knhun 70 y;st.4u