The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1875-07-16
MI / S G ella IN g O III 9.
AnecdOte Of Two Veterans.

While Gen. Taylor lay with his army at
Point Isabel Gust north Of the mouth OF
the Rio Grande) Com. Conner had assumed
command of the Gulf Squadron. Conner
was a veteran ofthe last war with England,
bearing honorable wounds and with re-
cord by no means martinez, but he was
strict in the matter of cleanliness and in
the matter of his own dress he was elegant
ly precise. Reared and educated in Phia-
delphia, he had imbibed the nice tastes OF
the nicer class of her people. At muster
and parade, and when on official visits, it
was his custom to appear in full uniform
of the most elaborate and dazzling descrip-
ton. He liked it.
In this matter of dress we doubt if there
could have Eeen found in either arm Of the
service greater contrast to Com. Conner
than was afforded by Gen. Zachary Tay-
lor His sobriquet of Rough and Ready"
was entirely legitimate. He disliked pomp
and he never wore anything like regula-
tion uniform when he could possibly avoid
doing so.
On certain day Com. Conner anchored
his fleet off The Point and sent word to
Gen. Taylor that he would do himself the
honor of paying him visit. This put old
Rough and Ready in furry. In the
midst Of hard camp life following severe
fighting he was not in the mood for cerc-
monious etiquette.
Had the proposing visitor been an old
sea-dog like Stewart or Hull he would not
have cared, but he knew all about Corners
exceeding nicely and the draft upon his
nerves were severe. He would rather have
oil hot tnn
Still the old hero resolved to do his best
toward honoIing his guest, and, through
him doing honor to the navy.
Meantime Com. Conner was considering
how best he might please Gen. Taylor.
Knowing the peculiarities of that officer,
he had resolved that his visit should be
without ceremony and without pomp. So
he dressed himself in suit of plain white
linen duck, without official insignia OF any
kind, and went on shore unattended By any
of this staff.
When word had been brought to Tay-
lor that Com. Conner had landed he quick
ly abandoned the camp work he was at the
time experimenting and made hasty
strides for his tent, where he plunged into
his chest and dragged out his best uni
form. He donncd it quickly-donned it
dusty, wrinkled and awry--and in his
haste the coat was buttoncd two buttons
higher on one side than on the other, while
one Of the epauletts was broken from its
strap. He had just accomplished this un-
comfortable metamorphosis when Com.
Conner was announced.
With free and easy step, and all alone,
Com. Conner entered the Generals tent
The two heroes shook hands warmly and
it was very evident that each was greatly
surprised at the personal appearance of
the other. But the discomfort was not
for long. Both comprehended the situa-
ton at a glance and a hearty laugh was
the result.
The officer from whom we had this story
was with Taylor in Florida and during
the whole campaign in Mexico, and he
assured us that the occasion of Com.
David Corners visit was the first and last
time he ever saw old Rough and Ready
in full uniform, and, in fact, the only time
he ever saw the old wardog completely
nonpluased.--4rmy and Nary Journal.