Anecdotes.

soldiers and their patriotic countrymen, and all felt assured that the honour of the country was safe in his hands. The troops felt that the man who could talk in such a manner was able to make good his words, and his order issued when about to march from Matamoras to Point Isabel, on the 7th of May, assured them of a speedy victory. He spoke to his inferior force of raw troops as to veterans, and in the confident tone of one who knows his own power, assured them of victory, and reminded them to place their main dependence on the bayonet, and as if his words had not been sufficient, his demeanour on the battle-field was such as to make the veriest coward dare a hundred deaths in his cause. When one of his officers saw him sitting on his horse in the thickest of the fight, with his sword drawn, while the balls were rattling around him, and desired him to retire a short distance, where his person would not be so much exposed, he smiled good-humouredly, and anwered, “let us ride a little nearer, the balls will fall -behind us."

When the Mexican lancers made a charge upon the American right at Palo Alto, and the 5th infantry stood ready to receive it, General Taylor rode up and said, "Men, I place myself in your square." How could a man falter after such a mark of confidence?

Somewhat in the style of his speech to the militia men, is the remark made to General Ricardo, who exculpated his troops from the charge of stripping and mutilating the American dead, by saying that the women and rancheros did it; that they could not control them. General Taylor replied, "I am coming over to Matamoras, and I'll control them for you.'

Anecdotes.

On the 30th of May, President Polk wrote to him, forwarding a commission as brevet major-general, and complimenting him on "the bright page he had added to American history." The legislature of Louisiana passed a vote of thanks, and ordered a sword to be presented to him. By an act of Congress he was promoted to be a full major-general.

At Monterey, he was in the town with his staff on foot, walking about perfectly regardless of danger, where the shot flew about as "if bushels of hickory nuts were hurled at us." Captain Henry says that seeing him crossing a street in a walk, while such a terrible crossfire swept it that it seemed impossible for him to escape, he ran across and reminded him how much he was exposing himself. The answer the gallant captain received was, "Take an axe and knock in that door." Another officer, noticing his conduct in the streets of Monterey, says, "He was as cool as a cucumber, and ordered us to pass into the city and break open the houses. God knows how many of us got out."

Speaking of the battle of Buena Vista, Captain Henry says in his Campaign Sketches, "Our rear was in danger; the tide of battle was decidedly against us; the fortunes of the day seemed cast upon a die, when, at this critical juncture, General Taylor arrived upon the field, and occupied a commanding position upon an elevated plateau. His presence restored confidence. General Taylor stood calm and unmoved upon the plateau-all eyes were turned upon him. The leaden messengers of death swept harmlessly by his person, while undreds were passing to futurity. Bragg, with his battery had arrived at the point of fearful struggle. Alone

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Anecdote.

and unsupported was that battery and that brave old chief. Confident to the last of victory, he ordered his trusty captain to unlimber-to load with grape, and await the arrival of their masses until they nearly reached the muzzles of his pieces. On came the enemy like legions of fiends, certain of victory. When almost within grasp of the battery, Bragg opened his fire. The first volley staggered them, the second opened streets through their ranks, and the third put them in full retreat and saved the day."

"It was not," says Colonel Davis, "alone on the battle field that we learned to love General Taylor. The excitement of the carnage over, the same soul that could remain unmoved when his friends were falling like leaves about him, who could look unblanched upon the front of the thundering artillery, became the poor soldier's most sympathizing friend; and the eye so stern in battle was as mild as the tenderhearted matron's.”

When the gallant Mississippi regiment was about to leave him, overpowered by the recollection of the high deeds which had endeared them to him, and with their demonstrations of respect and affection, he attempted in vain to address them. With tears streamin down his furrowed cheeks, all he could say was, "Go on, boysgo on-I can't speak." Such is the character of General Taylor, as a man.