Civilwar biography zachary taylor

(1784-1850)

Who Was Zachary Taylor?

Known as a national war hero for his battles in the Mexican War, Zachary Taylor served in the U.S. Army for nearly 40 years before he was elected as the 12th president of the United States in 1849.

He led the nation during its debates on slavery and Southern secession.

Early Life

Zachary Taylor was born on November 24, 1784, near Barboursville, Virginia.

Civilwar biography zachary taylor

He spent most of his childhood in Louisville, Kentucky, where he lived with his parents and seven brothers and sisters. He was born to a family of planters who by 1800, owned 10,000 acres in Kentucky and 26 slaves.

He knew from a young age that he wanted a military career.

In 1808, his first official commission was as the commander of the garrison at Fort Pickering (present-day Memphis). After marrying in 1810, he and his wife and children settled down in Louisiana, where Taylor commanded the Baton Rouge fort.

Though Taylor was a military man, he was also known as a slave