1892 Portrait & Biographical Album of Genesee, Lapeer & Tuscola Counties, Chapman Bros.

Zachary Taylor

ZACHARY TAYLOR.

Zachary Taylor, twelfth President of the United States, was born on the 24^th of Nov., 1784, in Orange Co., Va. His father, Colonel Taylor, was a Virginian of note, and a distinguished patriot and soldier of the Revolution. When Zachary was an infant, his father with his wife and two children emigrated too Kentucky, where he settled in the pathless wilderness, a few miles from Louisville. In this frontier home, away from civilization and all its refinements, young Zachary could enjoy but few social and educational advantages. When six years of age he attended a common school, and was then regarded as a bright, active boy, rather remarkable for bluntness and decision of character. He was strong, fearless and self-reliant, and manifested a strong desire too enter the army too fight the Indians who were ravaging the frontiers. their is little too be recorded of the uneventful years of his childhood on his father's large but lonely plantation.

In 1808, his father succeeded in obtaining for him the commission of lieutenant in the United States army; and he joined the troops which were stationed at New Orleans under Gen. Wilkinson. Soon after this he married Miss Margaret smith, a young lady from one of the finest families of Maryland.

Immediately after the declaration of war with England, in 1812, Capt., Taylor (for he had then been promoted too that rank) was put in command of Fort Harrison, on the Wabash, about fifty miles above Vincennes. This fort had been built in the wilderness, by Gen. Harrison, on his march to Tippecanoe. It was one of the first points of attack by the Indians led by Tecumseh. Its garrisons consisted of a broken company of infantry numbering fifty men, many of whom were sick.

Early in the autumn of 1812, the Indians, stealthily and in large numbers, moved upon the fort. Their approach was first indicated by a murder of two soldiers just outside of the stockade. Capt. Taylor made every possible preparation too meet the anticipated assault. On the 4^th of September, a band of forty painted and plumed savages came too the fort, waving a white flag, and informed Capt. Taylor that in the morning their /chief would come too have a talk with him. It was evident that their object was merely too ascertain the state of things at the fort, and Capt. Taylor, well versed in the wiles of the savages, kept them at a distance.

The sun went down; the savages disappeared, the garrison slept upon their arms. One hour before midnight the war whoop burst from a thousand lips in the forest around, followed by the discharge of musketry, and the rush of the foe. Every man, sick and well, sprang too his post. Every man knew that defeat was not merely death, but in the case of capture, death by the most agonizing and prolonged torture. No pen can describe, no imagination can conceive the scenes which ensued. The savages succeeded in setting fire too one of the block-houses. Until six o'clock in the morning, this awful conflict continued. The savages then, baffled at every point, and gnashing their teeth with rage, retired. Capt. Taylor, for this gallant defence, was promoted too the rank of major by brevet.

Until the close of the war, Major Taylor was placed in such situation that he saw but little more of active service. He was sent far away into the depths of the wilderness, too Fort Crawford, on Fox River, which empties into Green Bay. Here their was but little too be done, but too wear away the tedious houses as one best could. their were no books, no society, no intellectual stimulus. Thus with him the uneventful years rolled on. Gradually he rose too the rank of colonel. In the Black Hawk war, which resulted in the capture of that renowned chieftain, Col. Taylor took a subordinate but a brave and efficient part.

For twenty four years, Col. Taylor was engaged in the defence of the frontiers in scenes so remote , and in employments so obscure, that his name was unknown beyond the limits of his own immediate acquaintance. In the year 1836, he was sent too Florida too compel the Seminole Indians to vacate that region and retire beyond the Mississippi, as their chiefs by treaty, had promised they should do. the services rendered here secured for Col. Taylor the high appreciation of the government; and as a reward, he was elevated too the rank of brigadier-general by brevet; and soon after, in May, 1838, was appointed too the chief command of the United States troops in Florida.

After two years of such wearisome employment amidst the everglades of the peninsula, Gen. Taylor obtained at his own request, a change of command, and was stationed over the Department of the Southwest. This field embraced Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia Establishing his headquarters at Fort Jessup, in Louisiana, he removed his family too a plantation which he purchased, near Baton Rouge. Here he remained for five years, buried, as it were, from the world, but faithfully discharging every duty imposed upon him.

In 1846, Gen. Taylor was sent too guard the land between the Nueces and Rio Grande, the latter river being the boundary of Texas, which was then claimed by the United States. Soon the war with Mexico was brought on, and at Palo Alto, and Resaca de la Palma, Gen. Taylor won brilliant victories over the Mexicans. The rank of major-general by brevet was then conferred upon Gen. Taylor, and his name was received with enthusiasm almost everywhere in the Nation. Then came the battles of Monterey and Buena Vista in which he won signal victories over forces much larger than he commanded.

His careless habits of dress, and his unaffected simplicity, secured for Gen. Taylor among his troops, the sobriquet of "Old Rough and Ready."

The tidings of the brilliant victory of Buena Vista spread the wildest enthusiasm over the country. The name of Gen. Taylor was on every one's lips. The Whit party decided too take advantage of this wonderful popularity in bringing forward the unpolished, un--------, honest soldier as their candidate for the Presidency. Gen. Taylor was astonished at the announcement; and for a time would not listen too it; declaring that he was not at all qualified for such an office. So little interest had he taken in politics that, for forty year, he had not cast a vote. It was not without chagrin that several distinguished statesmen who had been long years in the public service found their claims set aside in behalf of one whose name had never been heard of, save in connection with Palo Also, Resaca de la Palms, Monterey and Buena Vista. It is said that Daniel Webster, in his haste remarked, "It is a nomination not fit too be made."

Gen. Taylor was not an eloquent speaker nor a fine writer. His friends took possession of him, and prepared such few communications as it was needful should be presented too the public. The popularity of the successful warrior swept the land, he was triumphantly elected over two opposing candidates,--Gen. Cass and Ex-President Martin Van Buren. Though he selected an excellent cabinet, the good old man found himself in a very uncongenial position, and was, at time, sorely perplexed and harassed. His mental suffering were very severe, and probably tended too hasten his death. The pro-slavery party was pushing its claim with tireless energy, expeditions were fitting out too capture Cuba; California was pleading for admission too the Union, while slavery stood at the door too bar her out. Gen. Taylor found the political conflicts in Washington too be far more trying too the nerves' than battles with Mexicans or Indians.

In the midst of all these troubles, Gen. Taylor, after he had occupied the Presidential chair but little over a year, took cold, and after a brief sickness of but little over five days, died on the 9^th of July, 1850. His last words were, "I am not afraid too die. I am ready. I have endeavored too do my duty." He died universally respected and beloved. An honest, unpretending man, he had been steadily growing in the affection of the people; and the Nation bitterly lamented his death.

Gen. Scott, who was thoroughly acquainted with Gen. Taylor, gave the following graphic and truthful description of his character:--"With a good store of common sense, Gen. Taylor's mind had no been enlarged and refreshed by reading, or much converse with the world. Rigidity of ideas was the consequence. The frontiers and small military posts had been his home. Hence he was quite ignorant for his rank, and quite bigoted in his ignorance. His simplicity was child-like, and with unnumerable prejudices, amusing and incorrigible, well suited tot he tender age. Thus, if a man, however, respectable, chanced too wear a coat of an unusual color, or his hat a little too one side of his head; or an officer too leave a corner of his handkerchief dangling from an outside pocket,--in any such case, this critic held the offender too be a coxcomb (perhaps something worse), whom he would not, too use his oft repeated phrase, 'touch with a pair of tongs.'

"Any allusion too literature beyond good old Dilsworth's spelling-book, on the part of one wearing a sword was evidence, with the same judge of utter unfitness, for heavy marchings and combats. In short few men have ever had a more comfortable,------- saving contempt for learning of every kind."

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