Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1873-09-11
General TayIor asa Historian.


General Taylor, although an excel
lent soldier, and a man OF Strong good
sense in the everyday affairs of life,
had been educated in the camp, and
knew no more Craftsmanship or the
operations of government than a Com
anche Indian; nor was he distinguished
for colloquial accomplishments or mar
rative or descriptive talent. Then he
had habit of hesitation in converse.
ton that amounted almost TO STAN
mer.w He spoke in terse, sentenious
Issylo upon subjects with which he was
Familiar, and his suggestions, especial
ly on military matters, were marked
by quick perception and sound judg.
thent. But he never was diffuse OF
delnohstfative, and wasted no words
upon any body. g 'z.s..- = II s. .,.=5zs1 .
3 Judge Butler, colleague in the Sen.
ateof Mr.. Calhoun, calling to pay his
respects to the President, begged him
to describe the manner in which The
bable of Buena Vista was fought. His
brother, Pierce Butler, commanding
the Palmetto regiment, and a very
gallant officer, fell in the battle, and
the judge was naturally anxious to
learn the particulars of that desperate
contest. swell, well, judge, you want
10 know how the thing was done
Come and dine with me today, and
I'Il tell you all l know about it,"
Judge Butlerwas a hasty, innpetuou,
main, and the words flowed from his
mouth in torrent whenever he had
occasion to speak. He was all impa-
tience during the dinner, and the mo.
ment they were alone he brought up
the subject of the battle.
''Yes, yes, judge, your brother was a
brave man, and behaved like a true
soldier. But about the battle-you
want to know how it was fought ?"
eyes, general, if you will be SO kind.
[ wish to learn how your troops were
disposed on the field, and how you
posted them to resist force so over
whelming. Santa Anna must have
outnumbered you four or five to one. y
1.-The difference was greater than
that, 1 think, but we didh't stop to
count the Mexicans. / knew there
was heavy force, and longed for a
couple of regiments more of regulars" F"
"Undoubtedly," said the judge; "but
What was your order of battle?"
"Why, why, you see, judge, we went
10 fighting early in the morning the
inst day, and we fit all day long, losing
a good many men, and at night it Look
ed pretty bad" al
"Well, what Lext ?"
"When it got dark 1 rode over to
5aitillo toilook after our stores and to
provide against SURPRISE
"Why did you go yourself? Why
not send one of your aids ?''
"You see, judge, everything depend
ed on not having our supplies cut off,
and l wanted to see after things
myself"
"How was it the next morning when
you came or the field ?'' inquired Judge
Buder.
Not much change since the night
before" l
"Who was the first man you metz"
General Wool"
Sand what did he say?
".Allis LOST"
''What was your reply"
"sMaybeso, general-we'll see.' And
upon that we went to fighting again,
aud tit all that day, and toward night
it looked better"
The Judge, looking rather blank,
asked, "What next?"
"Well, the next morning il was re-
ported to me that Santa Anna and all
his men had disappeared in the night,
and | was devilish glad to oe rid OF
them so."-[From "Recollections of an
Old Stager," in Harper's Magazine for
September, r J---.-I-.. -r