Wheeling times and advertiser. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1839-1849, 1848-06-27
LIFE AND CHARACTER OF
EaCh0s'g Taylor.

Having been the first to raise the flag OF
Gen TAYLOR as the peoples candidate for pres
ident of the United States, and having taker
that step from the knowledge that his charac-
ter was worthy of the high Office, and that
his name. from recent brilliant and unequall-
ed military exploits. was in the mouth OF ev-
ery man. woman and child in the country we
have thought it proper to bestow a lew day
upon the writing and compiling a sketch OF
his life, and prominent characteristics
For the information that we shall embod,
in it we are indebted to various sources, but
all authentic and all worthy of being in the
hands Of the whole public.
Gen ZACHARY TAYLOR is the third OF five
sons of Col Richard Taylor, who had an hon
orable position as a citizen OF Virginia, and
afterwards OF kentucky. He was born in o.
range county, Virginia, Nov "a, 1884, and i
therefore, now nearly Ga years OF age. Be-
fore he was one year old, i'll the 80,
his father emigrated with his family to Ken
tucky, then as later, the clark and bloody
ground" Thus in his infant years began the
liz lUcblB- uliA iAANutlDio WYNN 49,
constantly the attendants of his past life, ant
which fitted him for that calm calculation OF
events, that cool intrepidity, that habit of OBJ
servation, that sterling worth Ter which he is
so strikingly prominent.
AT the time Of which we speak, but few
settlements had been made between the West
ern borders o, Virginia and the Mississippi
river. none, indeed that furnished any protec-
ton against the hostile savages. In emigra'
ting 10 his new home, Col Taylor took the u
slal route, OF landing high up, and passing
down the river in a flat Of his own conslruc-
lion, so that the infant Zach became one OF
the first nayigators of the western waters,
from which fact, as well as his later asser-
tious. we have good reason to believe he will
never veto a bill to improve the navigation oil
the western rivers and harbors.
Til father of Gen TAYLOR settled about five
miles from Louisville, in Jefferson county,
where he defended his family amid all the
dangers Of border life, and acquired by his in
dustry and thrift large estate. and for his
courage and patriotism, honorable consldera-
ton.
One ofthe earliest school masters OF Zacha-
nv TAYLOR, was Elisha Ayres, who now lives
in the State of Connecticut and is more than
eighty years of age. He relates anecdotes OF
Gen TAYLOR much to his credit, and which
were prophetic of his subsequent career
Lewis Wetzcl, our old Wheeling Lewis,
who de fended our early settlers from the In
dams. and probably was The best Indian hun
ter that ever lived, entertained great admira-
ton for young Zachary, and thinking his spir-
it bid fair to make him a glorious soldier, UNI
d~ertook to teach him the art of loading his
rife while running. The youthful hero could
manage the loading very well; but he could
NOT comprehend why he was to run. He has
accordingly never had occasion to use his
knowledge of the art.
Zachary TAYLOR was reared a farmer, but
early exhibited desire fora military life, and
on the first alarm of Aaron Burr's movement
he enrolled himself a member OF the kentuc-
XIV volunteers, 10 suppress the contemplated
treason. This alarm soon subsidized, and
young Taylor returned to his ordinary avoca-
lions. where he continued until the death of
his elder brother, who was a Lieutenant in
the regular army. He then obtained the va
cant commission from President Jefferson ,da-
ted NAV 3, 1908, in the 9Th regiment United
+ States Infantry. He was ordered to report
himself to Gen. Wilkinson, at New Orleans,
which he did, and in August following was
: attacked with yellow fsver which nearly ter
minated his career. He returned ION 10
,ecruit aad in the following winter again re-
ported himself for duty.
iDnriug the three years OF peace that follow
"a Gen. Taylor devoted himself closely to the
tudy of his profession, which alone could
Lave qualified him for the discharge OF the ar
luous duties OF the service that followed his
ra ster TO the Northwestern frontier. Ii is
O this seeson that we must look for the foun-
laiion OF that military knowledge and scien'
life requirements that cha racterize his ripper
FEARS, and greatly aid in making him the man
+ The age-the bright particular star OF the
world.
II he cautioned