Life of Major General Zachary Taylor; with notices of the war in New Mexico, California and in southern Mexico

Front matter

■*^\-1 t-^lxL^-W _

LIFE

MAJOR GENERAL

Chapter I. "■''^•

Early Life. Scnice in the War of 1S12, 13

CHAPTER n.

Senicc in the Florida War. Battle of Okeechobee, .... 26

CHAPTER nr.

Commencement of the Mexican War, 38

CHAPTER IV.

Battle of Palo Alto, ^'^

CHAPTER V.

Battle of Resaca de la Palma, 87

CHAPTER VI.

Capture of Matamoras, ^^

CHAPTER Vn.

CHAPTER Vni.

Operations in New Mexico and California. 137

CHAPTER IX.

General Taylor at Monterey, 161

CHAPTER X.

Battle of Buena Vista, l'-'^

CHAPTER XI.

Battle of Buena Vista continued, 1^^

CHAPTER XII.

Events, suhse.iuent to the Battle of Buena Vista, . • • .221

CHAPTER Xm.

CHAPTER XIV.

249 Battle of Sierra Gordo,

CHAPTER XV.

8 CONTENTS. .

Appendix

General Taylor's Appearance, . 277

General Taylor's Family, 278

General Taylor's Humanity, 278

The Council at Palo Alto, 279

General Taylor at Buena Vista, 280

General Taylor's Pony, 284

Buena Vista, 288

Colonel Davenport, . . 291

General Taylor's Benevolence to his Soldiers, 294

General Wool and the Volunteers, ....... 295

The Indianians at Buena Vista, 299

Death of Captain Taggart, ........ 299

The night after the Battle of Buena Vista, 300

Spanish Opinions of the War, 301

Doniphan's Expedition, 302

Flying Artillery, 303

The Black Flag, 303

Bombardment of Vera Cruz, 305

The Capitulation, . . 310

Sierra Gordo, . 315

Pronunciation of Mexican Names, 320

John R. Vinton, Brevet Major, U. S. Army, 322

Colonel de Russy's Official Report of the Expedition to Huejutla, . 326

Documents found on the Battle Field of Buena Vista, . . . 334

Discharges from the Army, 34 1

General Wool's March, 342

General Taylor's Politics, 344

LIST OF ENGRAVINGS,

ON STEEL,

PAOa.

Portrait of General Taylor, frqji a Drawing by Brevet

Major Vinton Frontispiece.

Portrait of Lieutenant Colonel C. A. May, frox a Daguerreotype BY Van Loan. 67

Portrait of General Wohtu, from tue Original by Fende-

ricu. 99

Portrait of General Wool, from an Original in possession

OF THE Family 136

Portrait of General Twiggs, from a Duawing by Mr. Croome. 174

Portrait of Commodore Conner, from a Daguerreotype by

Root. 225

Portrait of General Scott, from the Oiuginal by Healy. 2-iO

Portrait of General Shields, from a Daguerreotype by Van

Loan 249

LIST OF ENGRAVINGS ON WOOD.

Portrait of General Taylor, .....

PAOB.

Title.

Head Piece to Preface, .....

Tail Piece « .

Head Piece to Table of Contents, ....

Tail Piece «i « ....

Head Piece to List of Embellishments,

Tail Piece " " . . . .

Head Piece to Chapter I., Indian Warfare, .

Ornamental Letter, ......

Defence of Fort Harrison, .....

Head Piece to Chapter II., .....

Ornamental Letter, . . • • " •

Ornamental! Letter, ......

Battle of Okeechobee, .....

Tail Piece,! .......

Head Piece to Chapter HI., .....

Ornamental Letter, ......

(Jorpus Christi and the American Camp,

Point Isabel)

ARanchero| ......

Fort BrowTi,' .......

American Officer and Mexican Guide,

Gallant Actiin of Captain Thornton, ....

Walker's Expedition setting out, ....

Head Piece to Chapter IV., Major Kmggold, .

Ornamental Letter. Flymg Artillery,

Death of Major Ringgold, .....

Lieutenant Blake rcconnoitering at Palo Alto,

Head Piece to Chapter V., General Arista, .

Ornamental Letter, ......

General Taylor ordering Captain May to charge with his dragoons.

Duncan's Battery at Resaca de la Palma,

LIST OF EMBELLISHMENTS.

Plan of the Battles of Palo Alto and Resaca dc la Palma, Head Piece to Chapter VI. City of iNIatamoras, Ornamental Letter, .....

Market Place of Matamoras, ....

Tail Piece, ......

Head Piece to Chapter \U. Paredes,

Ornamental Letter, .....

The Citadel, Bishop's Palace and Independence Hill, General Twigrgs, .....

Bishop's Palace, Monterey, ....

General Worth at the Siege of Monterey. The Bishop's Palace in the distance, .....

General Anjpudia, .....

Tail Piece, ......

Plan of the Siege of Monterey,

Head Piect to Chapter VIU., ....

Omamentil Letter. Figure of Peace, with Olive Branch. Santa Fe, New Mexico, ....

Monterey, Alta California, ....

Tail Piece, ......

Head Piece to Chapter IX., ....

Ornamental Letter, .....

Monterey, from the Bishop's Palace, .

General Santa Anna, .....

Mexicans drinking Santa Anna's health,

General Taylor taking leave of the Veterans, .

Tail Piece, ......

Head Piece to Chapter X. Clay's Monument.

Ornamental Letter, .....

Major Dix rallying the Indiana men, .

GcnerallTaylor at Bucna Vista,

Battle of*Buena Vista, ....

Plan of tne Battle of Bucna Vista,

Interview of Generals Taylor and Wool, . .

Death of Colonel Clay, ....

Death of Colonel Yell, ....

Tail Piece. Drinking Scene.

Head Piece to Chapter XI. Mexicans wounded at Buena Vista,

Ornamental Letter, .....

Lieutenant Colonel C. A. May,

TaU Piece,

LIST OF EMBELLISHMENTS.

Head Piece to Chapter XII,, Ornamental Letter,

.

PAan

221 221

TaU Piece, .

Head Piece to Cliapter XIII.

Castle of San Juan de Ulloa, .

Ornamental Letter, .

Tampico,

Landing of the American Tr Seige of Vera Cruz, Tail Piece, .

jops at Vera Cruz,

231 232 244 248

Head Piece to Chapter XIV.

Ornamental Letter, .

•

249 249

Battle of Sierra Gordo,

Jalapa,

Tail Piece. Sentinel,

Head Piece to Chapter XV.

General Taylor's Kitchen,

.

Tail Piece, .

Head Piece to Appendix, Ornamental Letter, .

Tail Piece,

274 277 277 346

CHAPTER I.

Igarls Eifc==-^ca'£i*« in t^e mux of a©aS.

EXT in importance to the interest excited by the performance of heroic deeds, is the curiosity prevalent among all classes, to learn something of the life, character, and general qualifications of the men who have shared the glories or perils of those deeds.

In most cases this feeling is stronger or weaker in proportion to the approximation of the actions to our own age and country, as well as to their national importance.

If the action be the gaining of a battle, or the preservation of public honor, and it take place now, not only is the cry of exultation loud, but with it comes an imperative demand for the history of its achievers.

A prominent illustration of this principle is now before tlio Ameri<-an peoplo. At a lime when hosts of armed foes surrounded a handlul of men, whose escape appeai-ed utterly impossible, and when a whole country was filled with dejection and anxiety for the result, one master-spirit suddenly arose, and by a series of the most rapid and brilliant strokes, retrieved liis army, sustained the national honor, and won for himself immortal laurels.

The man whose career has thus burst like a meteor on the national horizon, has every eye concentrated upon him with wonder and admiration ; and with these feelings is mingled another — a desire to know something of his character and history.

The ancestors of General Taylor emigrated from England nearly two centuries ago, and setded in the eastern part of Virginia. His father, Richard Taylor, was born in that state, where he resided until about 1790. Zachary was his second son, and was bom in November, 1784, in Orange county, Vii^inia ; he is therefore a native of the same state which gave birth to Washington, Jefferson, Madison, Harrison, and many other illustrious Americans. Besides Zachary, his father had four sons, Hancock, George, William, and Joseph, and three daughters, Elizabeth, Sarah, and Emily.

Richard Taylor seems to have possessed a full share of the restless spirit of active adventure which distinguished the first settlers of America. Accordingly, in a little while after Boone had explored Kentucky, w-e find him journeying to that wilderness. Here he was not only unappalled by the horrors of a country called by the natives the dark and bloody ground, and by his hair-breadth escapes from the Indians, but he actually formed the design of penetrating to New Orleans on foot. This he accomplished alone, through the forests and wilderness stretching along the Mississij)pi, and returned by ship to Virginia. Whan the revolution broke out, the courage and zeal which he had manifested in resisting the encroachments of the mother country, caused him to receive an appointment as colonel in the Continental army, the duties of which office he performed in a manner that fulfilled the high hopes which had been entertained of him. He fought in several of the most important battles of the north, and among others, with Washington at Trenton. At the close of the war he retired to his farm in Virginia, where he remained until about the year 1790, when he emigrated with his family to Kentucky. In this journey he was accompanied by Colonels Croghan and Bullitt, both of which names became afterwards famous

^ EARLY LIFE. 15

in the annals of iheir state. They settled upon a spot* noted for the long and pcciiharly bloody wars of the Indians, and these hrave men soon found an ample field in which to display their courage and hardihood. In the burnings and scalpings which happened almost weekly, Colonel Taylor so distinguished himself that he was soon looked upon as the champion of the white selUers, and the bulwark of their village. After a long time the attacks of the savages became less frequent, and the population had shaken olF their fear at the Indian name, and began to assume the appearance of a regular community. Still the usefulness of Colonel Taylor did not cease with the causes which had drau^n it forlli. He became as distinguished a citizen as he had formerly been a soldier, and was entrusted with the duties of several very important and responsible stations. He was one of the fraraers of the constitution of Kentucky ; represented Jefferson county and Louisville city for many years in both branches of the state legislature, and was a member of the electoral colleges which voted for Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, and Clay.

Such are a few points in the historj^ of a man whose name will ever be dear to the American people, as the father of the conqueror of Mexico. All allow him to have been of unflinching perseverance, indomitable courage, and zeal and ability to perform the duties of the various oflices and stations which he was called to fill.

Under the parentage of such a man it is nothing singular that young Zachary should early have imbibed a taste for military life. We are told that such was the case ; and the common occurrences which daily surrounded him tended to foster this feeling. His nursery talcs were stories of Indian butchery which had but recently been perpetrated upon the neighbors of his parents ; and as he grew larger, he often heard the shriek of the maiden and innocent, the sharp crack of the rifle that announced their death, and then the fierce conflict between the father and his savage foe. He learned to barricade his own door, and spend the night in watchful intensity, while looking out upon nothing but gloomy forests, and some burning cottage far in the dist;ince.

• TIic coloncrs farm adjoineJ that of Colonel Croi^haii's father, well known as Locust Grove; and the wannest friendship existed between the two families, ariong not only from tics of relationship, but from congenial feeUngs and habit&

At the age of six years Zachary was placed at school, under the direction of a Mr. Ayers. Even here he was in continual danger of the tomahawk, and many of the larger scholars were obliged to go armed. While here, young Zachary became distinguished among his companions for his activity, decision and bluntness of character, modesty of demeanor, and general intelligence. These are shining qualities in a school-boy, and he soon became the acknowledged and general favorite of a large portion of his comrades. From a child, his mind possessed a keen relish for military narratives, and in youth he began to long for an opportunity to display himself in the field. There still remain of him many anecdotes, all tending to illustrate his fondness for activity and adventure.

The schoolmaster of General Taylor is still living in the town of Preston, near Norwicli, Connecticut, where he was born. Though more than seventy years of age, he takes great pleasure in listening to the achievements of his pupil, and in recounting anecdotes of him when a school-boy. He represents him to have been an excellent scholar, possessing an active and inquisitive mind, studious in his habits, though of sanguine temperament, quick of apprehension, and promising fair for a career of usefulness in life. He had mental qualities of though tfulness, judgment, shrewdness, and stability, not often found united in youth. But a pecuUar trait of his character, and one not often connected with a sanguine temperament, was firmness. This, united with the above named qualities, is an important characteristic in a soldier. Upon many occasions, sudden and Avarm impulses, when properly directed by judgment and firmness, have produced grand achievements ; and though a man may be brave to an eminent degree, yet a phlegmatic temperament is calculated to restrain tlie exercise of his bravery at a time when it might lead to glorious results.

Upon leaving school, young Taylor continued tlie exercise of those sports and labors which suited the ardor of his temperament. He often performed feats of strength and difilculty wiiich would excite the wonder and applause of friends, and rivalry of others. His fondness for military life has been mentioned, and it is related that even before he commenced a course of rigid tactical instruction, he might often be seen with his comrades practising llie different evolu-

^ EARLY LIFE. 17

tions of a company-drill, with as much gravity and emulation as tliough under orders before an enemy.

An opportunity was not long wanting for the exercise of the talent thus gradually developing. The diJliculties between the United States and England, relative to interruptions of our commerce and the impressment of seamen, now presented so alarming an aspect, that an early nipture was confidently anticipated. 'J'his was an excellent opportunity for many of the wild, young spirits of the west to wreak their vengeance against an enemy, who, though respected in time of peace, was the object of bitter animosity in war. Volunteer companies were organized in every part of the Union, and the "citizen soldiery" became an object of great national importance.

AVhilc these events were in progress, the whole country was electrified by the intelligence that a British armed vessel, the Leopard, had fired into the American frigate Chesapeake, killing three of her men, wounding eighteen, and subsequently carrying away four others of her crew. This increased the popular indignation against Great Britain, as well as the spirit of determined resistance to her attacks.

Upon reception of the news of this affair, young Taylor applied for a commission in the army, and was appointed by President Jefferson a first lieutenant in the 7th regiment of infantry. This step was highly pleasing to his fadier, who had been instrumental in its accomplishment.

Meanwhile the difficulties between the two countries daily increased. The causes of these diflSculties are generally known ; but it would be well to revert to them for a few moments, in order thoroughly to understand the position of our western army, and especially the circumstances attending the defence of Fort Harrison.

England having long been the ruling maritime power of the world, made it part of her policy to watch with jealous vigilance the movements of every navy which ploughed the waters. During the war between her and the French Directory, not only was this vigilance redoubled upon the vessels of the hostile nation, but even upon neutrals. In 1793 she issued an "order in council," by virtue of which " all vessels laden wholly or in part with bread stuffs, bound to any port in France, or places occupied by French armies, were required to be carried into England, and tlieir cargoes either there dis posed of, or security given that they should be sold only in the ports of" a country in amity with Great Britain." The same year another order was issued, directing " all vessels laden with goods, the produce of any colony of France, or carrying provisions or supplies for such colony, to be seized and brought in for adjudication." At the same time she claimed the right to muster the crews of all neutral vessels, and take from them for her own use any sailors who had been born in England, or who were believed to have been born there. This was called impressment, and under its sanction hundreds of American citizens were forced into the British navy as English sailors. In 1806 England declared the whole sea-coast bordering on the British Channel in a state of blockade, and in November of the same year, that " all the ports and places of France, her allies, or any other country at war with England, or from which the British flag was excluded, and all their colonies, to be in a state of blockade ; and all commerce in articles the produce or manufacture of such countries to be unlawful." The result of these proceedings was the war of 1812.

The commencement of hostilities found the Americans but ill prepared for a successful struggle, and perhaps no part of their vast area was more defenceless than the Northwestern territory. The settlements were thin and widely separated, and from the extent of ground even a large army could not act so as to protect and cover all. The Indians east of the Mississippi numbered 100,000, mostly hostile to the United States, and from that number, at least 10,000 warriors could be mustered. These were connected with the vast hordes west of that river, and with about one-third of their number who resided in Canada. With almost all these tribes the British had formed treaties of friendship, and had established stations in different parts of their territory, from whicli they were supplied with ammunition and military stores. Their great chief, Tecumseh, had long been perfecting a scheme by which he hoped to unite all the Indians from the great lakes to the gulf, in one confederation, whose eflbrts were to be directed against the western settlers. Besides all this, the proximity to the British settlements of Canada and New Britam afforded the enemy every facility for precipitating

* SERVICK IN THE WAR OF 1812. 19

their troops upon a tVoiitior where they would meet willi scarcely a tenable tort.

WitJi a view to defend tliis territory, and excite, if possible, the Canadians to revolt, William Hull, governor of the Michitran territory, was appointed a brigadier general, witli the command of the forces to operate on Canada. He joined llie army at Detroit, and on the 12th of July, 1812, made a descent upon Canada. Upon his entrance into that province, he published a proclamation, inviting all die inhabitants to leave the British standard, and denouncing heavy penalties to all those who should either oppose his progress or join the Indians. This invitation was attended with considerable success ; but while his allies were looking for some active operations, tlie general suddenly recrossed the river to Detroit. Here he was soon afterward attacked by General Brock, governor of Canada, and to the utter astonishment of his whole army, surrendered the entire command into the hands of his antagonist.

The loss of the whole northwestern army, the fortress of Detroit, and the military posts of that region, together with the whole territory of Michigan within sixty days after the declaration of war, was a subject of universal astonishment and alarm. In consequence of it, the great body of Indians, ever ready to join tlie successful party, flocked to die British standard, prepared to renew their ravages with increased severity. The state of Ohio, and the region now forming Indiana and Illinois became dangerously exposed. Large numbers of Indians were contained within their borders, who, in connection with those without, would now be induced to join the enemy^ Had the army under General Hull been successful, and the British depot at Maiden broken up, the savages, deprived of their supplies, would have been obliged to remain neutral, or have been awed into submission.

The alarm occasioned by tliis disaster did not, liowevcr, hinder the Americans from adopting measures to retrieve it. Volunteers flocked to the standard of their country in great numbers, burning with zeal to revenge its disgrace. Aided by the indefatigable exertions of the governors of the territories, their army soon amounted to eight thousand men, who were placed under the command of General Harrison, governor of Indiana, and a brigadier in the

United States service, in whose talents and experience the western country had the most perfect confidence. Their object was to subdue the Indians of the west, and to recover what had been lost at Detroit.

Such was the origin of the war of 1812, and its commencement in the Northwestern territory. At the very first stroke the American loss was heavy, and to reinspire that confidence in the eflUciency of their arms, which the nation had ever felt, it became necessary for every leading officer, however small his command, to act with consummate prudence and bravery. Small forts were scattered around in various directions, and the defence of these was entrusted only to those in whom General Harrison had the most perfect confidence. One of these was a small and weak stockade fort, called in honor of the commanding general. Fort Harrison. It was situated on the Wabash river, m Indiana, the very heart of the Indian country, and had for some time been threatened by the Miami and other large tribes. The selection of a commander for this station was a subject of considerable importance, but it at length devolved upon Captain Taylor. In this appointment the general was no doubt influenced by the success of Taylor in his many previous skirmishes with the Indians, for which he had been advanced from the rank of lieutenant to that of captain. This was under Governor Shelby, previous to the commencement of hostilities with Great Britain,

Upon assuming the command of Fort Harrison, Taylor not only found the works in a miserable condition, but also that of the small garrison of fifty men, all excepting about twenty were disabled by sickness. Notwithstanding these discouraging circumstances, he set himself earaesdy to work in order to render the fort defensible. The principal defences consisted of an upper and lower blockhouse, and a fort with two bastions. These he strengthened by other small fortifications, and especially by judicious arrangements of his fire arms, and took every measure to supply his men with ample provisions of food and ammunition, and to inspire them with confidence in themselves.

The fii-st indications of an attack were manifested on Thursday, the 3d of September. A delo<:ation from the Miami Indians then informed the captain that the " I'rophot," brother of Tecumsch, was advancing with his party toward the fort, and tliat the Miamis were

SKRVICK L\ Tin; WAR OF 1812. 21

about to retire from tliat region. On ilie same evening two young citizens were making hay at the distance of about four hundred yards from the fort. Soon after retreat beating, four giuis were licard in diat direction, and the garrison were immediately impressed with tlie belief that the men had been surprised and murdered by the Indians. On account of the lateness of the hour it was not thought prudent to search for them then, and their non-appearance after a long and anxious watch convinced the captain that his suspicions of dieir fate were correct. NoUiing further ti-anspired that night, and die next morning at eight o'clock a corporal with a small party was detached to investigate the result of die firing, if it could be done without too much risk of being drawn into an ambuscade. The corporal soon sent a messenger back to the fort, informing the commander that he had found the two dead bodies, and requesting furtlier orders. A cart and oxen were sent out, and the murdered men brought tothe fort. Each had been shot with two balls, scalped, and horribly mangled. They were buried within the fort. This circumstance caused the garrison to redouble their vigilance. Additional sentinels were posted, and the officers of the guard directed to walk the round all night, in order to prevent, if possible, a surprise.

Late on the evening of the 4th, an old man named Joseph Lenar, with between thirty and forty Indians, arrived from the Prophet's town with a white flag. Among diese were ten women, and die men were the chiefs from the different tribes composing the Prophet's party. The object of this mission, as stated by a Shawnee who spoke English, was to obtain another interview on the following morning, and to buy provisions. There could be no doubt, however, that their true object was to spy the strength of the garrison, and throw diem off their guard. Accordingly, after retreat beating, the men's arms were examined, and Uieir cartridges completed to sixteen rounds per man. So miserable, however, was die health of the soldiers, diat the captain despaired of a successful defence in case of an attack from a large force — even his small guard of six privates and two non-commissioned otTicers were not able to do service every day.

Soon after die departure of the Indians the captain was obliged to retire to rest in consequence of debility from a late violent attack

22 LIFK OF GENERAL TAYLOR.

of fever. His sleep was short. Before reiiring he had cautioned the guard to be vigilant, and take every precaution to prevent surprise, and at eleven o'clock he was awakened by a shot from one of the sentinels. He immediately arose, and ordered each man to his post. At this moment the orderly sergeant having charge of the upper blockhouse, called out that a body of Indians had fired the lower one. Under cover of the night they had accomplished this, unseen by the garrison, and they now opened a pretty active fire, which was returned by the Americans. The cry of fire direw the whole fort into confusion ; the soldiers gave up all for lost, when they saw the flames communicate with a quantity of whisky in the blockhouse, and rush up in wide sheets toward the barracks, which made part of the fortifications. Some women and children who were in the fort ran among the garrison, imploring for succor, and filling the air with their lamentations. This, with the bowlings of hundreds of Indians, rendered that night-scene one suflicient to appal the stoutest heart. But amid all this uproar one man remained cool and determined, — that man was the young commander of the fort, and to his self-possession was owing the safety of the garrison. Immediately on perceiving the flames, he ordered water to be brought from the well in buckets, but in consequence of debility and tlie influence of terror upon tlie soldiers, tliese orders were but languidly executed. He then informed the men that their only means of safety was to keep the end of the fortification nearest the blockliouse confinually wet, that by so doing not only might the whole row of buildings be saved, but an opening of only eighteen or twenty feet left for tlie Indians to enter after the house was consumed, and, that even here tlieir entrance might be prevented by die erection of a temporary breastwork. The chance of escape from imminent danger inspired the men with a firmness bordering on desperation. Under the direction of Dr. Clark those wlio were altle, mounted the tops of the houses amid a shower of balls, and in a very short time had thrown ofi" the greater part of the roof nearest to the burning building. This was done with the loss of but one man killed and two wounded. During this time two of the men leaped from the pickets and ran toward tlie enemy. Their cowardice was but ill rewarded,— one of them was killed, and the otlier returned before

SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1812. 23

day to the gate, wliorc he begged "lor God's sake" to be admitted. Not being recognized, his attempt was supposed to be a stratagem of the Indians to gain admittance into the fort, and he was lired upon. The shot not taking effect, he ran round to the other bastion where his voice was recognized, and he was directed by Dr. Clark to lie down close to the pickets behind an empty barrel. He there remained until daylight, when he was admitted. His arm was broken in a shocking manner, and he was otherwise greatly mangled.

"While a part of tlie garrison were thus demolishing the roof, the men below were using every exertion to prevent the destruction of the barracks. They were several times on fire, and extinguished only by the most active efforts. During the whole time, and while laboring at their breastwork, the men were exposed to a heavy fire from the Indians, as well as to a shower of arrows which rained around them in great quantities. Before morning the work was advanced to the height of a man, with the loss of but one soldier killed.

The approach of daylight enabled the Americans to aim with more precision and success, and at six o'clock their fire had become 60 destructive as to cause the Indians to remove from the reach of their guns. At this disappointment of their expected booty, the savages became furious ; and driving up the horses and a number of hogs belonging to the citizens, they shot them in front of the fort. They also seized all the catde belonging to private individuals, amounting to sixty-five head, together with the oxen, which were public property.

As the enemy continued in sight that day, the American commander was busily occupied in repairing the damages of the fort. The vacancy caused by the burning of the blockhouse was filled up by a strong row of pickets, obtained by demolishing the guard house. The other defences were also strengthened, and provision made against a second attempt to fire the buildings.