#12 – Zachary Taylor

Born: November 24, 1784 Birthplace: Barboursville, Virginia Political party: Whig Term: Vice President: Millard Fillmore Nickname: Old Rough and Ready Children: 6; 1 boy and 5 girls Died: July 9, 1850

#12 – Zachary Taylor As an infant he moved to Jefferson County, Kentucky. He did not attend college. 1803: Volunteer in the Kentucky Militia 1808: He was commissioned as first Lieutenant of infantry. 1810: married Margaret Mackall Smith

#12 – Zachary Taylor 1812: Defended Fort Harrison against an Indian attack. 1815: promoted to Major General. Resigns the same year. 1816: re-enters the military. 1832: fought in the Black Hawk War. 1837: ranked a Brigadier General.

#12 – Zachary Taylor : fought in the Seminole Wars in Florida. Earned the nickname “Old Rough and Ready” : remained in the army but lived on his plantation in Mississippi. 1846: Taylor awaits orders to attack Mexico. Border dispute! Congress declares war – Mexican War begins. Involved in the battles of Palo Alto, Monterey, and Buena Vista.

#12 – Zachary Taylor The victory at Buena Vista elevates Taylor’s popularity – becomes a “War Hero”

#12 – Zachary Taylor He is demoted by President Polk and does not invade Mexico City. Polk is afraid of his popularity. Polk thinks that when the war is over he may try to run for President. June 1848: Whigs nominate him as Presidential candidate : Elected the 12 th President of the U.S.

#12 – Zachary Taylor July 4, 1850: Taylor celebrates by eating a bowl of cherries and milk. As a result he contracts food poisoning and dies 5 days later. July 9, 1850 : Dies in Washington D.C.

Interesting Facts: 1849: safety pin invented – Walter Hunt, U.S. 1850: Compromise of 1850 passes house, not Senate. 1850: Fugitive Slave Act passes house, not Senate. No states admitted