The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1850-07-20
the impression of a true gentleman. NJ

| man ever lived more Tree from vanity or
llttleness OF every kind. He was con-
stituted liberal, generous, manly, noble,
and his lite was an illustration of these
characteristics. Perhaps his military
achievements will be longer remembered
in history, but his private character has
ever seemed 10 US more remarkable for
its loveliness, and his short civic career,
Tor its perfect uprightness, enlarged pat
rio'ism, and clear native good sense, than
his exploits in the field for any ofthe quail
ties, however, brilliant which may De at
tributrd to them. But in every respect
General Taylor was all American. He
was son OF this Republic, whatever he
was he was product OF his country and
her institutions, and OF the names OF her
great and good men, few will longer be
preserved than his.
Zachary Taylor. the son OF father
honoraoly distinguished in the Revolu-
lionary war. was born in Orange county.
Virginia, Nov. 81, 1884. Till the age
OF 81 he worked on the farm of his faith
er, but early developed taste for militia
ry life. He was appointed lst lieutenant
in the Seventh Infantry on May 3D. 1908
In 1910 he married Miss Margaret Smith
Of Maryland. In 1912 he served as Cap
tain under Gen. Harrison, in the Indian
war of the Northwest, where, in Sep
tender. he gained great credit for brave
ry and GOODNESS in defending Fort Harri-
sou against the savages, and received the
rank OF Brevet Major in consequence
In the course Of the war he further dis
tinguished himself. When it ended, be-
ing reduced to the rank of Captain on
account Of the general reduction Of the
army, he resigned and went back to hls
farm. He was re-instated as Ma ior IN
1916, and commanded for two yeas at
Green Bay, on Lake Michigan. After
wards he served mostly in the South be.
ing scarcely ever absent from active duty
On April 10, 1919, he received the com
mission of Lieut.. Colonel. After 1926
he was again sent to the Northwest,
where he renamed five Years. In 1882
hs was made Colonel. and served in the
Black Hawk war Ahcrward he was
stationed at Prairie du Chen till 1886,
when he was ordered TO Florida, where,
on Dec. 25 1897, he fought the battle Of
Okre-cho-bee, one of the most memora-
bic in the annals of our Indian hostiites,
which virtually put an end TO the war;
for this he received the rank of Br,ga-
der General. He remained in Florida
till 1910, when he took command of the
fist department Of the army in ne South
west, HI, headquarters being at ort Glib
son, in Arkansas. In 1915 he was Or
dered to the Texan frontier, in antcipa-
ton Of the Mexican war, and at the be-
ginning OF August had taken up his posi-
ton at Corpus Christi.
On March 8, 1916. in compliance
with the orders Of President Polk he
began to march on the Rio Grande. The
events which followed this step are too
we'll known to require recaphulation
here. The battle ofPaIo Alto was fought
May 8, lS49, that of Rrsaca de la Palma
the next day. Matamoras was taken
May lS, on the Goth he was made Major
Ccntral by Lrevet; and Oh June % was
appointed to full rank. The attack on
Monterey began Sept. 81, and was clo-
sed by the capitulation on the 24lI,. His
great and final battle Of Buena Vista was
fought on Feb. %, lS47. In all these
affairs he manifested great soundness of
judgement, readiness of mind, fertility Of
resources, mastery of the art Of war, pow
er OF inspiring his subordinates not only
with affection for his person, but with
confidence IN his skill and fortunes, as
we'll as constant humanity towards the
vanquished, and frank dignity which
won the regard of the hostile people
among whom he had command of an in
vadlng army, somewhat incongruous in
its elements and difficult to be control
led.
In November, ls47, Gen. Taylor re-
turned to The United States. He was IT,
ceivrd with the congratulations and re-
olcings Of the people wherever he ap.
pear-d. The year before he had been
nominated for the Presidency. In June
1S4s, he received the nomination Of the
whig convention at Philadelphia, and IN
November was elected, receiving 1853
electoral votos 10 1877 for Gen. Cass. He
was lnaugurated on March 5, 1849, and
at his death discharged the duties Of Pres
ident one year, four months and four
days-had he lived to the Oath Of No
vember he would have been sixty-s'x
years old.
Mrs. Taylor, the wife Of his youth, still
lives; though, from taste, she has not APP
peared in general society since her hus-
bands elevation to the Presidency. They
have had four children, one son and three
daughters; one OF the later married Dr..
Wood Of the army, who has been in at
tendance on the President during tins last
illness; another (now also decrased) mar
rird Senator DAVIS nj M;ssissir ninan nd