AVID E. TWIGGS was born in Richmond county, Georgia, in 1790, and bred to the bar, but the war of 1812 brought about a change in his profession. He obtained a captain's commission, conducted himself every where well, and was rewarded for his gallantry by being raised to the rank of major by brevet. He served with distinction under General Jackson in the Indian campaigns, and under Generals Gaines and Scott, in Florida. Under Scott he held the rank of colonel of the 2d regiment of dragoons. His regiment was attached to the "Army of Occupation," and he has borne a part with the utmost honour to himself in every

His discipline and goodness of heart.

great battle, save that of Buena Vista. He commanded the right wing of the army in the battles on the Rio Grande, and contributed greatly to the capture of Monterey. He was complimented by General Taylor for his bravery and valuable services. He has participated in all the glorious triumphs on the road to Mexico, winning honour at every step. He is still at the head of his division, and in case of an opportunity will give, a good account of it.

Like his fellow-soldier Wool, he is one of the most rigid disciplinarians in the army. An instance of that perfection of discipline to which he had brought his men, as well as of his goodness of heart may be seen from the following:-On the road from Palo Alto, when the army was advancing to meet the enemy a second time, a wounded Mexican was seen lying in the long grass beside the road. He raised himself up, and showed by signs that he was dying for water. The sight impressed all who witnessed it, and all desired to rush to his relief, but such a breach of discipline they dared not commit under the command of Colonel Twiggs. At length the eye of the colonel fell upon the sufferer. His discipline was forgotten. "Men, the poor fellow wants water!" he exclaimed, and in an instant a dozen canteens were flung at his feet. Twiggs then directed them to give him food, and he ate and died, surrounded by marks of the generosity and kindness of the American colonel and his men. After the taking of Matamoras, Colonel Twiggs was appointed governor of the town, and to his especial care was intrusted the taking possession of the military stores left by the Mexican army. Don Jesus Cardenas, the prefect of Matamoras at the

Takes possession of military stores.

time General Taylor took possession, was distinguished among his fellow-citizens for his oppression, and for his hatred to foreigners. In surrendering the city, the prefect's only care was to know if he could retain his office. He never stipulated for any privileges for the citizens, or seemed in any way to think of their interests. Immediately on Colonel Twiggs taking command, he sent for this notable Cardenas, and asked him for an inventory of the public property. He stated, positively, that he knew of none, and persisted in declaring that none was left by the Mexican forces when they evacuated the city. Colonel Twiggs dismissed him, and entering the city with information obtained from other quarters, soon began to find vast quantities of military stores, in almost all the out-of-the-way places about the plaza.

This outrageous trifling on the part of the prefect Colonel Twiggs was determined to notice. Accordingly he waited upon him the following morning at his office, to give the gentleman what is denominated a "plain talk." The colonel laboured under one difficultyeloquent himself, it was a great drawback to have it marred by an indifferent translator. Fortunately, an American citizen by the name of Dugden, a vy intelligent gentleman of Matamoras.u an object of the prefect's special oppression, offered his services as an interpreter. "I wish to give this falsifying prefect a proper notion of his conduct," said the colonel, with a variety of expletives. "Can you, Mr. Dugden, do justice to what I say?" Mr. Dugden assented, and the governor laid down the first paragraph of his lecture in English. Dugden did justice to what was said, and,

Crosses the Sierra Madre.

it was thought, added a little on his own responsibility, much to the gratification of the governor.

The prefect, bearded in his own den, began to turn a variety of colours: his consternation increased as the citizens of the town crowded into his office, and, by the wildest expressions of delight, testified their pleasure at what was going on. The prefect literally trembled in his shoes, and promised to act better, and honestly point out the hidden treasures. But he prevaricated so constantly, that he was finally dismissed, and ejected from the shadow of the office he still held, and he left the city, it was supposed, to join Arista or some other general in the interior.*

Captain Henry, in his Campaign Sketches, gives an amusing account of the manner in which General Twiggs crossed the Sierra Madre, on his expedition against Victoria, December 16th, 1846. We make an extract from his narrative. He says, "We passed over a lovely country; it was a succession of stony ridges, and basins of the richest kind of soil. We marched along rapidly, and before noon had passed over twelve miles, when we reached a hill which forbade any chance of our wagons ascending without the assistance of the men. I christened it Disappointment Hill; for we were very anxious to reach Montemorelos, and we saw our march delayed for some time, within sight of the place. We ascended, stacked arms, and marched down again to assist the teams. The artillery got along admirably by hitching twelve horses to a piece; but when the mule teams came, it was entirely another thing. The ascent must

* Our Army on the Rio Grande.

Crossing the Sierra Madre.

have been at least forty-five degrees; certainly one of the steepest hills I ever saw wagons ascend.

General Twiggs assumed the management. of the passage in person. Those who know the general cannot but recollect his peculiarities and his faculty of getting more work out of men in a given time than any other officer in the army. A quartermaster stood no chance; his stentorian lungs drowned every one's voice and his tone of command did not admit of any question 'Bring on that team, there!' Along comes the team with a company of men hold of its wheels, and every available point. Quartermaster-Drive slowly, a little way at a time, and let your mules blow.' Team commences the ascent; all steam is cracked on and the quartermaster cries 'stop.' 'Stop! the devil!' cries the general, 'who ever heard of such a thing? Crack ahead! speak to your mules, sir, and keep them going as long as they will.' And away goes the team amid cracking of whips and cheering of men. The men would file on about six feet deep behind, pushing each other along. General, those men are certainly doing no good.' 'You are mistaken, sir; they are keeping the man next the wagon from holding on going up hill.' The last to cross was the quartermaster's forge. Well,' exclaimed the general, 'do you think you can get up, lasty, asty, without any men?' 'O yes, general.' 'Well, on with you.' By the time 'lasty' had ascended twenty feet, the mules commenced backing. teamster, which way are you going? way up the hill.' And amid peals of pany went to the assistance of 'lasty.'

'Great God! That's not the laughter, a comWith any num