Three Score Years and Ten | Page 8

the regard of all who
knew him. Indeed, it was found out very soon that it would not do to
slight or insult "Scott," and he gave some practical lessons on that point
that were never forgotten. He was a thorough-going total abstinence
man, a "rara avis" in those days. He seldom drank even of "the cup that
cheers and not inebriates," never anything stronger; and my impression
is that one great reason for his extreme temperance was that his aim as
a marksman might be perfect and unerring. He did not marry till
somewhat late in life, owing to his inability to support a wife in
addition to the care of his mother and sister, although I have heard my
father say to him, jokingly, "Scott, it would not cost you so much to
keep a wife as it does to keep all these dogs; she'd save more than she'd
cost. Try it now, and take the word of one who knows." The lady whom
he finally chose was a Miss McCracken, of Rochester, New York, with
whom he lived happily for some years. At the battle of Cerro Gordo he
was warned to be more careful of the bullets, but he replied, "Never
fear; the bullet is not run that is to kill Martin Scott," and almost

immediately fell from his horse pierced to the heart by a Mexican bullet.
Knowing that his wound was mortal, he, with his usual presence of
mind, took from his pocket his purse, containing quite a large sum of
money, and, handing it to a soldier who stood near, said: "Give that to
my wife." And the brave, true heart was still forever.
Major Laurence Taliaferro was for many years a member of our
household, and we all loved and honored him. He was very entertaining
in conversation and full of anecdotes of Virginia, which was his
boyhood's home. His father owned many slaves, and when he, as a
student in an Eastern college, was home for vacation, he delighted to
amaze the negro boys with his knowledge and excite their admiration.
On one occasion he had been using some pretty big words in a speech
for their edification, branching out now and then into Greek and Latin
quotations, when one of them, overcome by his young master's
proficiency, exclaimed: "Oh, Massa Laurence; you larn so much since
you done been to college, you clar fool." He liked to tell this story of
himself, and admitted that the boy had good ground for his sweeping
conclusion. Dear Major Taliaferro, our happy-hearted, beloved and
trusted friend, the faithful servant of the government, and humble
follower of Christ. His picture and an accompanying letter, sent me
from his home in Bedford, Pennsylvania, when he was eighty-two
years old, are before me, and as I look on the well-known features, I
repeat from my heart the testimony of his biographer: "For more than
twenty years an Indian Agent, and yet an honest man."
A few years ago, in an interview with Major Joseph Brown, so well
known to the early settlers of Minnesota, he reminded me of Colonel
McNeil's short stay at "Fort St. Anthony," as it was first called,
previous to the arrival of Colonel Snelling, and of Mrs. McNeil, a sister
of Franklin Pierce, a most estimable woman, of whom he spoke in the
most affectionate, grateful terms, saying that her kindness to him, a
mere boy, and her wise counsels had had a beneficial influence on his
whole life. He spoke most gratefully of all the ladies at the post, and
remembered our Sabbath school, established somewhat later, with real
pleasure. He went up the river with the regiment as drummer-boy, and
was always considered a faithful, well-behaved soldier.

His whole life was passed in the Northwest. He was at one time
Representative in the Wisconsin Legislature, and was afterwards
appointed Secretary of the First Legislative Assembly of the Territory
of Minnesota. He died only a few years ago at an advanced age.

CHAPTER IV.
In 1821 the regiment moved into the beautiful new fort, although it was
by no means completed. The outside wall was up on three sides only,
and a heavy guard was stationed on the fourth, not only to prevent
desertions, but to keep the Indians, our only neighbors, at a respectful
distance. The occupation of the new and comfortable quarters was
made an occasion of great rejoicing, an event never forgotten by those
who took part in it. Then began our regular fort life, the flag-staff was
raised in front of headquarters, the stars and stripes were run up at the
roll of the drum at "guard mounting" and lowered with the same
accompaniment at retreat day after day, and we children learned to love
its graceful folds