Zachary Taylor: The Man Who Might Have Prevented the Civil W…

He was a slave owner who opposed the growth of slavery; a president who disliked politics and politicians. That was Zachary Taylor–” Old Rough and Ready.” Joseph Fornieri, Professor of Political Science at the Rochester Institute of Technology, tells the story of this walking contradiction.

Script:

Zachary Taylor, the 12th president of the United States, was so indifferent to politics that he never voted till his own election in 1848.

A profession military guy, “Old Rough and Ready,” as he was passionately understood, was weathered, stocky, and bow-legged in appearance. He was obstinate, easily insulted, and quick-tempered in character. These are not traits that normally make for an effective political leader. However, he never wished to be a political leader. Until he did.

The son of a Revolutionary War veteran, Zachary Taylor was born in Orange County, Virginia on November 24, 1784. Influenced by his dad’s military exploits, Taylor joined the army in 1808. He spent the bulk of the next forty years protecting the frontier against hostile Indians. Progressively rising from the rank of lieutenant to brigadier general, he fought in the War of 1812, the Black Hawk War of 1832, and the Second Seminole War in 1837.

The Mexican-American War in 1846 was a turning point in Taylor’s life. In a matter of months, he went from a reputable however odd soldier to a nationwide hero.

Here’s how it happened.

In January of 1846, President James Polk sent out Taylor into the challenged border territory of Texas and Mexico. The idea was that the existence of American troops would push the Mexican government into accepting Polk’s deal to buy California. Mexico wasn’t interested.

So, Polk was stuck.

Things became unstuck when Mexican forces fired on Taylor’s males near the town of Palo Alto, eliminating 11. That’s all Polk needed to ask Congress to state war, which it did on May 12.

At that minute, the war rested on Taylor’s shoulders. In spite of being greatly surpassed, he won the battle of Palo Alto and went on to score remarkable victories at Monterrey and Buena Vista. Ulysses S. Grant, a current West Point graduate, who took part in the campaign said of Taylor: “No soldier could deal with either risk or responsibility more calmly than he … He was known to every soldier in his army, and was appreciated by all.”

The Mexican War ended in February 1848 with the US acquiring not only California however large swaths of land in the American Southwest. Within weeks of completion of the war, the Whig Party, which had done so well with war hero William Henry Harrison, saw Taylor as their ticket back to the White House.

Taylor was fascinated, however he didn’t see himself as a party guy. “I am a Whig, but not an ultra Whig,” he stated. “If elected I would not be the simple President of a celebration– I would strive to act independent of party …”.

That was excellent enough for the Whigs. In short order, they chose Taylor to be their basic bearer. He went on to defeat Lewis Cass, a Democratic senator from Michigan, in the general election.

Being a war general was hard. However being President was harder.

For something, the Mexican-American War had actually reignited the slavery argument. How would all this brand-new territory be integrated into the Union? What part would be servant; what part would be free?

The political balance stood precariously at 15 totally free states and 15 servant states. Any additional states would tip the scales one way or the other. How would this be fixed?

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The kid of a Revolutionary War veteran, Zachary Taylor was born in Orange County, Virginia on November 24, 1784. Gradually increasing from the rank of lieutenant to brigadier general, he fought in the War of 1812, the Black Hawk War of 1832, and the Second Seminole War in 1837.

In January of 1846, President James Polk sent Taylor into the disputed border area of Texas and Mexico. At that minute, the war rested on Taylor’s shoulders. Taylor was intrigued, but he didn’t see himself as a celebration man.