The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1884-09-03
GEN, ZACH. TAYLOR.
An Old Mexican War CnmpniRner's PERSON
nj Rec0ilcctions OF Rough and Ready

When our command Joined the army
Gen. Taylor was the hero OF the DAY.
The recent battles which he had fought
and gained had made him famous
throughout the land. We were prepared
to see warrior with "gold lace and
plume" Of noble carriage and fierce
countenance. Our establishment can be
imagined when we beheld plain old
farmer with not the first military insig-
mia about him, wearing wide brim
MexiUn sombrero and ordinary citizens
clothes. There was not a subordinate
around his headquarters that was not
better dressed. Verify his name,
"Rough and Ready" was appropriate.
He was rather short in stature for his
size and apparent weight, with face
that indicated stern decision and untir-
ing energy. His features were not
handsome but by no means repulsive.
A pleasant expression seemed to dwell
there when he was off duty His face
gave no evidence of cultivation. Shaggy
eyebrows rather prominent nose, and
round face; if any landmarks Of intelli-
gence were ever there the rough camp life
the old soldier had led for so many
years had obliterated them. Gen. Tay-
lor was clumsy rider, mounting and
dismounting his horse like m old farm
er only accustomed to horseback exer-
else when he had occasion to ride to
town once in while.
Your correspondent is not advised as
to what were the religious preferences
of General Taylor. He had fallen into
the habits so common in the army, and
pointedly emphasized his remarks as
occasion required. He had none Of that
bombast about him that even some of his
lowest subordinates manifested. In
social conversation with his officers he
seemed to forget his rank, and ofttimes
had kind word for the poor private.
On one occasion we had to cross one of
those swift-running mountain streams,
the water of which was waist deep, and
q sick and wcakly.looking soldier was
standing on the bank, ! suppose medita-
ting whether he should take the venture
or not. General Tay lor rode up and saw
the situation, assisted the poor soldier
up behind him and carried him over the
water. saw that, and heard that
soldier long after the war brag that he
had erode behind the President.
Gen Taylor was always in the thickest
of the battle, and seemed to be as desti-
tute Of fear as n rock. He rode q. milk
white horse-Old Whitey-which seemed
as clumsy as his master, and from long
association seemed to have adopted some
of his pecularities. Gen. Taylor rode
Old Whitley throughout the battles of
Monterey and Buena Vista. He was
dressed very plainly; he wore common
soft hat and an old faded cashmere coat,
which his soldiers informed us he had
worn for many years. This coat received
its first wound mt Buena Vista, where two
musket balls, one about three inches
below the other, passed through both
lapels. The writer, though with Gen.
Taylor's command for nearly year.
never saw him dressed in full uniform,
except on the occasion of the departure
of the remains of our regiment for home
We had struck our tents, packed our
knapsGcks, and the last act of our depart
IRE from Walnut Springs, was taking
leave Of our old chief. We were formed
in line, and he came out in our front
dressed in full uniform, cap.a-pie. He
was visibly embarrassed. and not heart
in our command but what was touched.
With some awkward schoolboy gestures
he managed to say "that he hoped that
III private life we wonld make as bril-.
liant records as we had in the service of
our country" Tor something very nearly
to that ellecD, and babe us farewell.