The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1848-03-09
GEN. TAYLOR.

GEN. TAYLOR.
The Rev. DR.. Wightm,n, senior Editor
Of the Southern Christian Advocate, was
on board the steamboat which received
Gen. TAYLOR MS a passenger at Baton
Rogue, and he gives the subjoined admira-
bic account Of the old veteran:
Daybrenk overlook us Just below Baton
Rogue, on the left bank Of tho river. We
hnd'passcd during the night that most pic
turesque portion oil tho river called the
coast. The alIuvial margin on both sides
OF the river spreads in breadth from four
hundred yards TO mile and half Su.
gar plantations touch ench other, and Gle.
CANT residences stretch out as the eye can
follow the bold curves Of the river. After
the run Of l59 miles, the Mississippi looks
not viii, narrower thun ut New Orleans
its average width is about threc.quariers
OF mile. AZ Baton Rogue, where VIC
touch lew minutes to take in passengers.
there stands, In company with two or three
other gentlemen, on elderly, plain looking
mnr, who, afier brict leave taking, comes
on board. We shove of, tho breakfast bell
rings, and We find our way to the table,
| observed that the entrance Of our new
fellow v6yager occasioncd . subdacd re-
mark, and brought upon him tho curious
chances OF several spectators; and whisper
ing 10 tho clerk, who was about to take the
head Of the table, asked who no was
GENERAL TAYLOR" was the reply.
''lndeed!" Lucky chance, thought, that
threw me on bonrd this craft. There was
the vertabld "Rough md Ready" sitting
opposite me, slipping his coffee, the mos, re-
markablc man, in many respects, in the
Western hemisphere. had missed the
gorgeous spectacle Of his New Orleans re-
ccption, the most magnificent affair which
had ever shaken that city with excitement !:
but vastly better, bad him now where |
could see and study the man-a ,nan whose
name belongs to history, aud whose achieve
,nents place him sido BY side with the great
captains Of tho world. The first thing tina,
struck me was his simplicity, an unfallng
attribute Of true greatness. lo atc aud
talked, and carried himself with the nnstud-
led ease ot little child. You would have
supposed him some plain country gentle
man, who dreamed not Of attracting atten-
ton or calling on, remark. All right in
that line thought ], but how different look.
ing and better locking than tho million OF
li,hograph likcncsscs which stare you in
tho face at the shop windows aud every
where else!
There is in tho original none OF that ex-
trcmc breadth between tho chin aud the
bncl 81 tho hcad very little Of the protru-
sion Of the lower lip, TO be found in the
Autographs. In n word, they arc bundle
Of cnrricatnrcs, one aud oil. lie had on o
common blue irock cont with flat buttons,
the covering Of which worn of, showed that
il had belonged to an order Of things which
passed nwny some two or three years ago.
Still his dress Us whole was sufficiently
becoming, though exhibiting no trace what
ever Of the military. As VIC rose from the
breakfast table, WINS introduced 10 the old
hero. told him WINS from South Carolina
aud rcjoiccd in the good fortune which nj
lowed me To sec and tell him how much the
people If my native State honorcd md low
ed him. Ills eyes filed with tours a. he
shook my hnnd warmly, and ! saw that tho
simple assurance Of love could affect pro-
foundry man who faced the storm or bat
tic with nerve that never moved. His
conversation exhibited iine clear common
sense, without the slightcs, tiuge Of any
sort Of allectation or personal vanity. In
tho course q tho day he gave INC the de.
tails ot'the grcnt battle Of Bacna Vista, the
koy to all the successes OF the American
arms in Mexico. Had that field been lost,
the fate otthe war would have been different
even though indomi,ablc courage might
in its long run have cut its way to the Mexi-
can capital. Tint victory won against odds
so vast, gave prestige to American valor
that made the subsequent battles compara-
lively snsy affairs. Bu, must put curb
upon my ealloping pen or you will never
sec the end Of this epistlc. The General
remained with Us until after breakfast mex,
morning, and WINS landed At his own resi-
dcncc Oh the river, some distance above
Natchez. smiled TO soc the republican
simplicity with which a couple Of his ne
groes, field haads, who happened to be
At the landing, walked up as he got on
shore, aud shook hands without dolFing hat
or cap, and tho expression of delight with
which they looked into his face % he spoke
kindly and Familiarity to them. Our on.
ginc bell rang - soon 40 be touched the
shore, and We were of.
Te.~ - -. . :