Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1848-08-18
Noble Tribute to Gen. Taylor from
n Common Soldier.

We find in the Louisville journal the follow
ing touching and faithful tribute Of n grateful
heart TO the noble Taylor. 1t cannot but go
home to every one in whose bosom there throbs
n single impulse Of humanity. Read It, and
blush for base defamations, IL indeed you arc
not already past b%lushing.
TO The Editors Of the Louisville Journal
COLES County, ILL.,, July Is, 1s4s.
Gentlemen I'll feel II my duty TO state what
have observed Of the respect that Gen. Taylor
manifests towards his soldiers. l was under his
command at the battles Of Palo Alto and Resa-
ca dc Ia Palma. On our march TO face the en-
envy, and, AFTER coming in sight Of them, We con.
tinued to advance. Taylor ordered q halt, and
inquired Of the different commanders whether
their men had plenty of water in their c%anteens.
One and all cried out that they had none. All
this time the Mexicans were advancing or US,
and yet he gave the men permission TO go and
get water, without which | an certain that
could not have stood the e~xertions Of that day.
l heard many Of my comrades express them
selves in the same language. ! was one of Gen.
Taylor's body guard, and was close to him all
the time. lie was requested by Lieut.. Blake,
who shot himself ON the morning Of the 9Th, ac-
cidentaly, TO leave his position or the enemy
would aim their centre battery on him. But he
still maintained his ground bold and undaunted.
A cannon ball cant close TO him and killed
Sergeant Dowhng's horse, Of Company b, I'd
dragons. On the night after the battle, the
General, with part Of bis escort, went TO each
of the commanding officers giving orders in per-
son. / was one OF the party which went with
him.
On the morning of the 9th, when the enemy
| retrcated, he cent me to the q~uurtcrmastcr TO
have teams furnished to take away the wounded
Mcxicans that were left on the field of battle
When we entered the c%hspparal the enemy
were killing every person that got in the range
Of their guns. Gen. Taylor advanced, and was
requested TO go TO the one side or the other, or
q little further back, but he continued to adj
vance, and when Capt May made bis charge,
Gen. Taylor was close behind with his cap in
hand in the midst of 10000 muskets and cannon
Of the enemy. At that time Col. Paine was
wounded and l was also wounded. On the
morning Of The 10th, we who we're wounded
were sent TO Point Isabel. During the evening
General Taylor came into the hospital and in.
quired Of each Of US where we were wounded,
and when he was going out he halted on the
steps and said he was sorry TO have to leave 20
many brave men with such brave hearts. | foI
one had to forget my wound and shed tears.-
This was the case with most of the wounded
So highly do j esteem the brave old soldier and
true-bearted man, that ] would at this tine leave
my wife and child, that nre dear TO my heart
anu ioiloW MN Wherever he might lead, II d
were necessary. Further, 10 show the respect
that he has for a common soldier, ! will add that
after j got to Matamoros he came near where
was and stopped and asked me how ] was, ex
pressing his pleasure in the most tender manner
to hear that ! was getting better. He also lis
tened TO me at Corpus Christi, where ! wanted
a transfer 10 Company ID I'd Dragons, Capt. J
o. Graham, Com. lie listened to me as he
would have listened 10 one of his officers, and
was transferred by his order. / have Away
supported the Democratic party l voted fol
Van Buren,, and, in ~, for james X. Polk
but, as long as such a man as u. Taylor runs fol
President, / shall support him. | am a Taylor
man, and, if you publish this, ] hope that many
of my old acquaintance and fellow soldiers viii
do as | have done, and declare for the hero o.
Palo Alto. Resaca de la Palma, Monterey, and
Buena Vista, and vote for him next November
Yours, with respect,
WM DAVIDSON.