The wife of an army officer—Little known to the public—Opposed to
public notice—General Taylor a frontier officer—The hero of the
Black Hawk and the Seminole wars—Mrs. Taylor’s army
experience—Never willingly separated from her husband—An example
of wifely devotion—With her husband at Tampa Bay—A quarter of a
century of tent life—Always at the side of her husband—A happy
and contented wife—A very domestic woman—Her housekeeping
accomplishments—Mrs. Taylor a Maryland lady—Received a practical
education—Her one ambition—Married in early life—Her husband a
young officer—Removal to the West—Her attentions to her
husband—Her children—Sent to her relatives to be reared and
educated—Rapid promotion of her husband—His wife the presiding
genius of the hospital—The comforts of a home always
his—Established at Baton Rouge—The pretty cottage on the river
bank—Once a Spanish commandant’s house—A delightful home at
last—Mrs. Taylor and her two daughters—Busy with household
cares—Domestic life complete—War with Mexico—General Taylor
ordered to the front—Miss Betty in the perfection of her
womanhood—Her happy home-life—The “Army of Occupation”—General
Taylor made Commander-in-Chief—Mrs. Taylor and other daughters
remain in their home—Honors to General Taylor—Mrs. Taylor’s
success with her garden and dairy—An example to the young
officers’ wives—Has a chapel prepared and the Episcopal services
read—A rector’s occasional presence secured—A handsome church
erected later—The garrison chapel a popular resort—Many officers’
wives at the post—Their anxiety over the war—Battles fought and
officers killed—Mrs. Taylor’s strength and courage—A runaway
match—Miss Sarah Taylor’s marriage to Lieutenant Jefferson
Davis—General Taylor’s opposition to his daughters marrying
officers—His displeasure over the elopement—Away from home at the
time—His rage at Lieutenant Davis’s conduct—No honorable man
would so act—Death of Mrs. Davis—No reconciliation with her
father—The loss a great trial to him—Mrs. Taylor deeply
affected—General Taylor’s sense of sorrow—Meets Jefferson Davis
at Buena Vista—Reconciliation on the battle-field—An embrace on
the battle-field—The end of the campaign—General Taylor a
hero—Miss Betty the object of much interest—The Presidential
candidacy—Taylor elected—The cottage on the river a Mecca—A year
of great excitement—Mrs. Taylor’s hospitality—Her indifference to
public honors—Her desire for retirement—“A plot to deprive her of
her husband’s society”—The army life ended—Miss Betty Taylor’s
marriage—A bride at twenty-two—Her husband, Major Bliss, her
father’s Adjutant-General—Mistress of the White House—Mrs. Taylor
declining responsibility—“Miss Betty” the hostess—An attractive
woman—The inauguration—Wildest enthusiasm—Washington’s welcome to
the nation’s idol—A grand ball—Scenes at the ball—General
Taylor’s appearance—Madame Bodisco’s dress—Zachary Taylor’s
favorite child—Her appearance as she entered the ball-room—Timid
and faltering in step—The vast crowd pleased—Overwhelming
enthusiasm—The home-life at the White House—Mrs. Taylor absent
from official entertainments—Her simple habits ridiculed—The
summer passed in quietness—A reception to Father Matthew—The
public not satisfied—A desire for greater ostentation at the
White House—The following winter—Official life
begun—Distinguished men in the Cabinet—The admission of
California—Fiery eloquence of Clay—Webster and Calhoun members of
the Senate—Political excitement—The change in the President’s
manner—Begins to realize the opposition—Is equal to the
emergency—Mrs. Taylor abandons domestic affairs—Devotes herself
to social duties—Appreciates the importance of her elevation—More
ostentation displayed—A social revolution—The new era inaugurated
by the ladies—Reception on the first anniversary of the
inauguration—The President’s family appear to advantage—General
Taylor a surprise to his friends—A new rôle played with
success—Miss Betty the leader of society—The press expresses
admiration—Cabinet changes—The general character of the
administration—The spring passes away—Seventy-fourth anniversary
of National Independence—Laying the corner-stone of the
Washington Monument—General Taylor presides—The day intensely
hot—Exposed to the sun—A notable event—The complaints of General
Taylor regarding the heat—Never experienced such heat in Florida
or Mexico—His return to the White House—Drank freely of cold
water and ate fruit—Violent illness—General Taylor has the
cholera—His premonitions regarding the end—The remarks concerning
his performance of duty—“His motives misconstrued; his feelings
grossly betrayed”—Mrs. Taylor admits the possibility of his
death—Bitterly regrets their coming to Washington—Prostrate at
her husband’s bedside—Her children about her—The death-bed
scene—The last good-bye—The grief of the family—Heart-rending
cries of agony—The end—The removal of the President’s
remains—Mrs. Taylor’s retirement from the White House—Her dream
of happiness ended—Never alluded to her life in Washington—With
her friends in Kentucky—Finds personal utterances of sympathy
oppressive—Retires to her son’s residence—Her home near
Pascagoula, Louisiana—Leads a quiet life—Death of Major Bliss—A
second marriage—The historical name laid aside—The end of a
public career 425