The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1873-09-18
Gen. Taylor as q Historian.

Gen. Taylor, although an excellent soldier,
and q man of strong; good, sense in the every
EdaY affairs of Life, ,,hal@been educated in the
camp, and knew no more Of craftsmanship or
the operations of government than Comanche
I1dian5; nor was he distinguished for colloquial
accomp plishments or narrative or descriptive
talent. Then he had habit Of hesitation in
conversation that amounted to almost stanl-
mer. He spoke in terse sententious style
upon subjects with which he was familiar and
his suggestions, especially on military matters,
were marked by a quick perception and a
sound judgment. But he was never difuse or
demonstratiye, and wasted no words upon any
body. =
Judge Butler, colleague in the Senate Of
Mr.. Calhoun, calling to- his respects to the
President, begged him to. describe the manner
in which the battle of Buena Vista was fought.
His brother, Pierce Butler, commanding the
Palmetto Regiment, and,aavery'g gallant officer,
fell in the Battle, and' the Judge was naturally
anxious to learn the particulars Of that despe-
""Well, well, Judge, you want toknow how
thesthing was done Come and dine with me
to-day and I'll tell you all know about it.nn
Judge. Butler was a hasty, 5impetuous man,
and the words flowed from his mouth in a tor
rent whenever he had occasion to speak. He
was all impatience during the dinner, and the
moment they were alone he brought up the
subject of the battle. ~ ..-t ,s..- III
Eyes, yes, Judge your brother was brave
man, and behaved like true soldier. But
about the abattle-you want to know how it
| was fought ?",'E7s-1' 1as-<
eyes, General, if you will be so kind I
wish to learn how your troops were disposed on
1.-THE field, and how you posted them to resist a
force so overwhelming. Santa Anna must
have out-numbered you at. least four or five
to one. ''r"''"'
"The difference was greater than that, I
| think; but we! didn't stop to count the Mexi-
cans. I knew there was heavy force, and
longed for couple of regiments more of reg
ulars." ~ ~
"Undoubtedly," said the Judge; "but what
| was yoursorder of battle p; =
"Why, why, you see Judge, we went to
fighting early in the morning the first day, and
we fit all day long, losing good many men,
and at night it looked pretty bad.'
"Well, what next %
"When it got dark rode over to Saltillo to
look after our stores and to provide against a
T''Why did you 60 yourself? Why not send
one of your aides ?"
| You see, everything depended on nOt nav
ing our supplies cut off, and wanted to see
after things myself?"
"How was it the next morning when you
come on. the field ?" inquired Judge Butler
"Not much change since the night before. "
l. "WhoWassthe first man that you metz" .szT.: se
7 "Generaf Wool "-'''''e '''-~~sS-'' ~ ss'--'
! s"And. what did he say Pr!
;"AlfAis lost ~ 81 - - : y
"What was YOUR reply? ?"
Maybe SO, General-well see,' and upon
that we went to fighting again, and fit all that
day., and toward night it looked better"
The Judge, looking rather blank, asked
"What next ?" fcsy
"Well, the next morning it was reported to
me that Santa AMMAN all his men had dis
appeared in the night, and I was very glad to
be rid of them so." T. .-.r-e -..-s. So.