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This article is about the military leader and politician. For the Power Ranger character, see Zachary Taylor (Power Rangers character).
Zachary Taylor
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| Order: | 12th President |
| Term of Office: | March 5, 1849—July 9, 1850 |
| Followed: | James Knox Polk |
| Succeeded by: | Millard Fillmore |
| Date of Birth | November 24, 1784 |
| Place of Birth: | Barboursville, Virginia |
| Date of Death: | July 9, 1850 |
| Place of Death: | Washington, D.C. |
| First Ladies: | Margaret Taylor (wife)
Mary Elizabeth Bliss (daughter) |
| Occupation: | soldier |
| Political Party: | Whig |
| Vice President: | Millard Fillmore |
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Zachary Taylor ( November 24, 1784— July 9, 1850), also known as "Old Rough and Ready," was the twelfth President of the United States, serving from 1849 to 1850. Taylor was noted for his extensive military career becoming the first president not previously elected to any other public office. He was the second President to die in office.
1 Biography
Taylor was born in a log cabin to Richard Taylor and Sarah Strother in Barboursville, VirginiaVirginia is one of the original 13 states of the United States that revolted against British rule in the American Revolution and is generally classified as part of the South. Its official name is the Commonwealth of Virginia it is one of four Commonwealth, though his family was aristocratic. As an infant he and his family moved to KentuckyCommonwealth of Kentucky ( In Detail) (Full size) State nickname: Bluegrass State Other U. States Capital Frankfort Largest City Louisville Governor Ernie Fletcher Area Total Land Water % water Ranked 37th 104,749 km˛ 102,989 km˛ 1,760 km˛ 1. 7% Populatio, where Taylor grew up on a plantationA Plantation is a deliberately cultivated area, for example: a large farm, growing one species of plant only, eg. Pine plantations produce raw material for paper-making. Tobacco and coffee also grow on plantations. During the 1800s, Slave labour typically and was known as "Little Zack."
In 1808Events January 1 Importation of slaves into the United States is banned February 11 Anthracite coal first burned as fuel, experimentally. February Russia issues an ultimatum to Sweden, to join France, Denmark and Russia and attacks Finland. March 26 Charl, he joined the U.S. ArmyThe Army is the branch of the United States armed forces which has primary responsibility for land-based military operations. As of fiscal year 2002 (FY02), it consisted of 480,000 soldiers on active duty and 555,000 in reserve (350,000 in Army National G and was commissionedIn the military, a commissioned officer is a member of the service who derives authority directly from a sovereign power, and as such holds a commission from that power. Commissioned officers are authorized to use deadly force to carry out the lawful orde as a first lieutenant. Soon afterward he was ordered west into Indiana TerritoryIndiana Territory was an organized territory of the United States from 1800 to 1816, created by Act of Congress and signed into law by President John Adams on May 7, 1800, effective on July 4. It was the first new territory created from lands of the North, taking command of Fort Harrison near Helena, Montana. In the War of 1812 ( 1812– 1815) he became known as an excellent military commander. Taylor was also noted for standing 5'8 tall and weighing 170 pounds.
Taylor also served in the Black Hawk War ( 1832) and the Second Seminole War ( 1835– 1842). During the Seminole War he gianed the nickname "Old Rough and Ready" after the Battle of Lake Okeechobee .
President James K. Polk sent an army under his command to the Rio Grande in 1846. When the Mexicans attacked Taylor's troops, Taylor defeated them despite being outnumbered 4-to-1. Polk later declared war; in the Mexican-American War that followed, Taylor won additional important victories at Monterrey and Buena Vista and became a national hero .
Polk kept Taylor in northern Mexico, disturbed by his informal habits of command and his affiliation with the Whig Party. He sent an expedition under General Winfield Scott to capture Mexico City. Taylor, incensed, thought that "the battle of Buena Vista opened the road to the city of Mexico and the halls of Montezuma, that others might revel in them."
