The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-07-13
CITY OF WASHINGTON


the appalling news has spread that the Hero of the Rio
Crande-the Chief Magistrate OF the American republic
has passed away from earth forever Neither military
renown nor civil station could shield him from that
doom which comes alike to all; and to-day all that is
mortal OF him who passed unframed through many
bloody feid-who has stood mistaken in many peril
hour-who has added lustre to his counry's
and brighter gores 10 her bannerwll be placed in
the cold and silent tomb amid the lamentations OF whole
nation The Chief Magistrate OF the republic has fallen
and to-day moarninl pageant will fill our streets
That pageant will not be composed OF the hired
who mock the accents OF grief when some hereditary
ruler returns to his kindred earth but il will be the
spontaneous Offering of free people, grateful Tor the
services OF the ilusrious dead, and amenllag his un
timely departure from the Of life and the duties Of
that high post they had called him to FILL
Zachary Taylor was born in Orange county, in the
State Of Virginia, in the month OF November, 1854 He
was the second OF Richard Taylor, colonel in the
army Of the revolution In the year 1870, Colonel Tay
lor emgrated to Kentucky and the youth Of his lustr
Gus son passed anids, those OF savage
fare which gained for kentucky the OF The Bloody
Ground" Such could not fail to produce lasting
effect Colonel Richard Taylor had gone through all the
peris OF the revolutionary contest He had fought under
Washington al Trenton. in his new home in the West
he noted vxilant, active, and efficient leader in
the Indian wars which waged for many years on
the banks OF the Ohio, when every farm house like
beleaguered fort where The hardy settler defended his
wife and children against a willy and mplacabe foe.
Surrounded by such influences, Zachary Taylor early
mbbed taste for military life He had heard from his
father Of the glorious deeds of the revolution and he
saw before his eyes the courage and consistency OF the
western pioneer less glorious but more trying fields
Even his education gained amidst perl for ne and
his fellow scholars were forced carry arms, lest the
savage should surprise them by the way them
at school
Soon after his education was completed events fur
nshed him opportunity OF entering that military
career which terminated glorousy the fields of
Mexico.
The relations between the United States and Great
Britain had long been in hazardous condition Inter-
ruptions to our commerce. and the impressment of our
seamen had produced difficulties which threatened an
open rupture between the two countries. The public
mind was greatly excited; and volunteer companies were
formed in all portions OF the confedeacy in order to aid
the federal authority in protecting rights from the
unfounded demands OF British arrogance During this
Of excitement the whole country electrified by
the news that British armed vessel-the Leopard-had
fired into the American frigate Chesapeake killing and
wounding portion of her crew, and subsequently i'm
pressing others into the English service When the
of hisair spread through the country, the ndgna
ton Of the people became intense and spirit Of deter
mined resistance was aroused Zachary Taylor applied
Nor commission in the army and he appointed by
Presiden Jefferson Lieutenant in the seventh regiment
OF infantry.
Crest Britain continued TO use her great naval power
interrupt American commerce. until further endurance
became impossible and war was declared in 1912. The
commencement OF that found the United States but lily
prepared for a contest with the mistress Of the
The whole Atlantic coast exposed TO her powerful
navy. and the condition Of the Indian tribes placed the
West and Northwe in peculiar peril The celebrated
Teoum sch striving to unite the Indian tribes ofthe
West and Northwest in league against the whites The
war Of 1912 was not only contest with Great Britain,
butt was conflict with the savage tribes under the lead
Of Tecumseh. Hulrs surrender well nigh completed
what the eloquence OF Tecumseh had failed toaccompsh.
by convincing the savages that easy conquest awaited
the British forces, and uniting them against the west
n settlements Hurs disaster seemed to have aroused
the spirit of the West Volunteers in great num-
/ bers and an army OF egh, thousand men was soon
raised and placed under The command of WIN. H.
HARRISON then governor Of Indiana, and bngadier gem
era OF the United States army Small forts erected
at various points, and ntrusied those in whom General
Harrison had great confidence One OF these was
took ade fort called, in honor OF the commanding gem
Ieral Fort Harrison. II situated the Wabash
liver in the very heart OF the Indian country
Leuienan, Taylor. having been promoted The rank OF
captain was insuxted with the defence OF Fort Harrison
when he assumed the command OF that post be found
Ihe works in miserable condition. and only half Of
bis command of fifty fit for active duty Captain
ITayor spared exerions in Strengthening the place.
and to make amends By foresight and vigilance for The
weakness OF his command On the 81 OF December, he
thai the Prophet the brother of Tecumseh with
Ia body OF Indians was advancing toward the fort The
next day. the fort was visited by party from the
Prophets forces under the OF soliciting inter-
view for the purpose OF purchasing provisions but really
flor the purpose Of examining the defences Of the fort and
THE strength OF the garrison Every precauon taken
Ito prevent surprise About eeven;ocock at night the
Iyoung commander was awakened by shot Every man
was Immediately ordered 10 his post Soon the alarm Of
lire threw all into CONSERVATION but Captain Taylor re-
NAMED calm and collected. The fire was finally ex-
lngushed the battle lasted until six O'Clock the next
Incoming when the Indians reed carrying their killed
land wounded with them.
On the 10th of September, Colonel Russell with six
hundred mounted men and five hundred infantry, reached
Fort Harrison Soon after, Major General Hopkins