The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1879-04-18
GEN. RICHARD TAYLOR.
IN. o. Picayune.1

the residence of his lifelong friend
and college mate, S. w. Barlow, Esq.
was lone of the best known generals OF
the war. AS the son of a man who by
his military services had attained to
the great distinction of the Presidency,
he filled a large place in public expecta'
ton, and inherited great responsibilities.
1t was only when the Confederate war
placed him in high military command
that he was able to prove that his
powers and his capacity had not been
over-estimated.
Born sixty-twO years ago in Baton
Rouge, where his father, Gen. Zachary
TAYLOR, who was then an officer in the
regular army, was stationed, his life
seemed to be woven into the history of
this State.
Owing to the fact that his father was
compelled to move from place to place,
as soon as young Taylor was of sufh-
Gent age he was sent North to school.
At Harvard he soon gave evidence of
the abilities which marked his after
career. He was still engaged in his
studies when his father was ordered to
Corpus Christi to take charge Of the
army destined for the invasion of Mex
leo, and accompanied him in his adj
vance. He was by the side of the
General in the numerous and bloody
battles which elevated him to the
highest gift in the hands of the Amer
ican people.
AS soon as the war was over, young
Taylor returned to Louisiana, which
State he had always considered his
| home, and shortly after marrying a
lady of wealth became sugar planter,
and devoted himself to the material
welfare of the State. Determined on a
life of quiet on his plantation, it was
not long before his abilities became
manifest, and he was on several occa-
sions elected to the State Senate and
occupied a position among the leading
politicians of the State.
Always earnest in his convictions,
when the clouds of discord arose among
one in which he was born, and as a
member of the Secession Convention
his voice was loud in advocacy Of that
State sovereignty which he believed
incorporated in the fundamental law
of our country.
Seeing among the first that the dis
| ruptiOn of the Union would only be
! accomplished after a long and bloody
struggle, he at once placed his military
experience at the service of the State,
and as ono of the military council Or
gained the army of Louisiana. AS
soon as his duties here were over, de-
sirous of taking an active part in the
| struggle, he raised and was elected
Colonel of the 9th Regiment of Volun-
teers, and in the early campaigns of
tho war distinguished himself by his
bravery and skill.
He succeeded Gen. William Walker
in the command of his brigade, and
shared with StoneWal Jackson the
glory of his Valley campaign and OF
the movements around Richmond. His
abilities were quickly recognized by
tho famous Virginian, and he was by
his express Recommendation promoted
to the rank of major-generai and as
signed to the Trans-Mississippi De-
partment.
1t was here that his capacity as a
leader first became apparent to the peo-
pie at large, and his success in the
campaign against Banks on the Red
River, crowned by the battle at Mans
field, gave him lasting reputation as
a military leader.
Agreeable in manners, brilliant
conversationalist, and gifted with an
Intelligence at on &c bright and strong,
Gen. Taylor won friends wherever he
went, and in England, where he spent
some summers, he was welcome
guest in the most distinguished circles
of fashion and intellect.
The last few years of his life have
been spent in tho North, where he has
been busily engaged in writing a book
embodying his experiences of the war.
Devoted from his earliest manhood to
his State and country he was looked
upon by those who know him as a true
nobleman.
His death, far away from the people
of tho State he loved and served sc
we'll, will cause Il pang in many &
heart which has known and felt his
worth. and bring to those who served
with him through the victories and the
defeats of the war tho remembrance OF
the soldier whom they loved and the
leader whom they trusted and adj
mircd.
When Louisiana in after years raises
a monument to all those who served
her we'll and loved her best, high VI
among those whom she will delight t
honor will be this statesman, soldic
and patriot.
a CHECK FOR ONE CENT.