The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-07-10

conducted by Mr.. Elisha Ayres, native of Norwich
Connecticut where he Is living, at an advanced
ago.
Zachary, in youth, was quick IN learning, and sti
patient in study He improved the full benefit OF his
natural abilities, by adding to them the advants OF
studious and methodical habits. His temperam mt
was ardent and yet he firm in pursuing what he
commenced and his careful and thoughtful observa-
ton led him fully to determine what he coald do
fore he undertook It, and then to pursue 1t to the end
Zachary looked forward frsm his youth to thu army,
as his future of labor and fame This was a fu-
ture which to present itself to the Col
Richard Taylor educated in border tract, amid the
excitement Of continued Indian forays. In his ears
continually being repeated anecdotes OF stirring
adventures and as he forward into youth while
the clouds gathering which at last broke in the
last with Great Britain it Is not to be wondered
profoss of arms as the most-perhaps the only
honorable In which patriot could his soun
try The military spirit was the legacy Of
the founders Of this republic to their folio wers
In the year 1907 occurred the memorable attack
upon the United States frigate Chesapeake, by the
British chip Leopard The irritation OF the public
mind against Great Britain was so aggravated aud in
ereasea by this event, added to previous Of
comrlant that y may properly be classed among the
lors commission attached him to the regiment
Of United States Infantry. For tho first four years.
tered the Services opportunity presented itself
active duty in the field. At length in 1872, We were
in open with Great Britain Lieutenant Taylor
rose the first years Of his service to the rank
OF captain We have nothing remarkable to record OF
the period between 1905 and 1912. Taylors evident
capacity his rigid observance OF the req Of
duty and bis superior tact in discipline his in
yestmsnt with the command Of Fort Harrison, in In
diana, small but important post, sitvsted in the
midst of hostile tribes Of Indians
The defence Of Fort Harrison drew from Major &C.
neral opkDs, in his despatch TO Governor Shsiby,
tha nrnig hich asail for IN,
convey. "The firm and almost unparalleled defence
Of Fort Harrson BY Captain Zachary Taylor has rails
my eulogyn In the subsequent operate during tho
war otlSl2 the duty Of Taylor did not lead him into
distinguishing himself before the eyes Of the nation
He served under General Hopkins in the movements
against the Indians which in the on
Of several Of their towns and In the crippng their
resources and intimidation Of their daring On re-
porting these operations, General Hopkins speaks of
Taylor as rendering prompt and efficient aid in every
instsnce.n The which the public entertained Of
his merits was well expressed by President Madison In
comforting upon him the rank Of Major BY brevst dat
ing from the day Of the use OF the Indians Fort
Harrison. Although Major Taylor did not from this
date to the time Of tho Florida war; take the public
Improvement character for efficiency In stations Of
peculiar difficulty and danger And in the long inter.
vice in Floida in 1851 the character Of the man VA.
becoming established by improvement of the traits
which have been mentioned rs marking him while yet
Captain Taylor was, In 1892 raised to the re-
gulAr linesl rank OF Colonel, and tho next
scene OF his active service was In Piorid, or
all the troublesome contests which the United states
have been compelled to wage with the Indians, this
FLORIDA war Was perhaps the moot irkssme. The
suits Of his engagements most portAnt and IL
may indeed be said that they finished the Florida war
The appreciation OF Col Tsylors services which tho
brevot appointment of Brigadier General dating nom
the battle Of 0keeChobee After the battle Col Tay-
lor established himself at Port Bassngsr the ks
SHINE and In March, temporary arrangement hAv-
ing been made with the Seminoes to the coun-
try throughout the summer, Col Taylor In vested
with the command Of the frontier posts In April the
whole command in Florida turned over to Brga-
d.r General Taylor, General Jesup having repaired
General. .. -. f.-..'
General Taylor was active after the battle of
Okee-Chobee than before. Jumper, Alligator and
other chies and wasrors came In at last aud the Gen.
crsl skfnlly made Of their influence and Of all
other which his active mind and ripe experience
suggt sed to bring abb Mt peace and reconciliation In
this shorious duty he remained until the beginning Of
the year ls4o, when, at bis request, he was relieved
and Brigadier General Armistead took his post. lie
had done well for his country In the arduous years
which be spent amid the inhospitsties Of sckly
gion and he had done humanity a vast service, in
bringing TO A.cosc most destr uotive and cruel
dition Of hostlitics.
General Taylor ordered to the Southern de-
parinent including the States Of Louisians, Mssis
IL Is necessary TO note, until General was placed
dsred upon duties which led his subsequent
rice OF rcnarkable military exploits The causes
which occasoned the war with Mexico need not DO
The hrst position taken by General Taylor was al
Corpus Christi, where ne remained from August lsts
TO March, 1sso with Instructions to rePel any Mexicsa
invasion OF Texan territory. On the llth VI March,
General Taylor moved westward, under orders from
reached the river Colorado where indications Of = in
tenton to resist the movement were apparent the
part Of tho Mexieans General Taylor vas warned in
formal note from tho Mexican commander that " he
should cross tho Colorado such movement would be
considered n declaration of war, aud be followed BY
actual bostnities. Tho American commander made
such dispositions as would enable him to force pas
cage should become necessary, and the passage OF
the Colorado was made on the I'D No enemy sp-
pesred however, and no obstruction, although Mex-
troops had previously to this date crossd the Rio
Gande Thcy we're not met In force until the famous
day OF Palo Alto
On the 2lth with body of Dragons General Taylor
reached Point Isabel On the 18th, according to his
appointment with the Mesicans, General Taylor vas
opposite Matamoras, and encamped on the eastern
bank II the Rio Grande whore he commenced at once
sr~cting defcpces the bsnks lie bad been ordered
TO occupy the country up to the let bank OF the he
orsnde, until the boundary should be dcantivcly SEE
tied
Aaairs had now reached most critical point The
armies Of the two republics stood committed on tie
Mexican side by repested threat1, and the Amsr-
can By the orders under which their commsndss
acted.
General Arists having superseded AmpudIs In the
command Of the Mexicans. declared that he con-
sidered hostilities already commenced, and should
The Intentions Of General Arists we're nov apparent
BY throwing considerable body Of troops bctveen
the camp opposite hatsmoras and Point Isabel.
he designed 70 cut OF all communication between
General Taylor and his depot, and TO overvhelm both
positions By numbers. The supply Of provisions In
General raylors camp was sufncient only for eighs
days, and Point Isabel vas twenty seven miles dis
tsnt General Taylor resolved TO set out In pcrson
with the greater part Of his force and procure sup
plies leaving the works the Rio 0rsnde under
command Of Major Brown, with regiment Of infantry
and two OF artillery, IN all about elk hundred men,
General Taylor the let Of May set out for Point
Isabel, where he arrived the "A, without having
seen MericsR on the route.
On the vv, ming Of the Ttb General Taylor with the
main body Of the little army Of occupation, moved
from Point Isabel and bvouacked for the night seven
miles distant On tho next day the march was rc-
sumsd and at noon the Mexiesn troops we're dis
covered occupying the road Ia heavy force, at Pao
Alto o.nsrai sylor halted to refresh his men, aud
form bis line u battle
An engagement cpsued Of very brilliant oharsc-
ter General Tayior's despatch furnishes In Its
else history, the main facts" vas met near tha
place yesterday ON my march from Point Isabel by
the Mexican forces, and amer action Of about Ave