Research Results For 'Zachary Taylor'

BENSON LOSSING

Benson J Lossing was an American writer and engraver. He was born in 1813 at New York and died in 1891. He published Pictorial Field-Book of the Revolution, and others of the American Civil War and War of 1812, a National History of the United States, the Statesman's Manual, biographies of Zachary Taylor, Winfield Scott, George Washington, etc., a history of New York, and Biographies of Eminent Americans.
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MILLARD FILLMORE

Millard Fillmore was the thirteenth president of the USA from 1850 to 1853. He was born in 1800 at Locke, New York and died in 1874. He studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1823 and began practice in Aurora, New York, and by the mid-19th century was a recognised political leader of New York state, being elected to the state assembly in 1828 after which he secured the passage of a law abolishing imprisonment for debt. He represented New York as a Whig in the Congress of the United States from 1833 until 1835, and again from 1837 until 1843, when he served as chairman of the Ways and Means Committee and drafted the tariff bill of 1842. From 1847 until 1849 he was State Controller.

In 1848 he was elected Vice-President of the United States on the Whig ticket with Zachary Taylor for President. He became president upon the death of President Taylor in 1850. During his administration the Compromise Acts of 1850 were passed and the Japanese expedition of 1853 was arranged. In 1856 he was defeated as the National American candidate for President of the United States. He commanded a corps during the American Civil War, and was president, of the Buffalo Historical Society.
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RICHARD TAYLOR

Richard Taylor was an American soldier and politician. He was born in 1826 and died in 1879. The son of President Zachary Taylor, he was a member of the Louisiana Legislature from 1856 to 1860. He was a member of the Louisiana Secessionist Convention. He commanded a Louisiana regiment at Bull Run, and a brigade in General Jackson's Virginia campaign. He distinguished himself at Middletown, Winchester, Cross Keys, Port Republic and the Seven Days' battles before Richmond. In 1863 and 1864 he commanded the department west of the Mississippi. He defeated General Banks at Sabine Cross-Roads in 1864. In 1864 he commanded the East Louisiana Department. He wrote 'Destruction and Reconstruction'.
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ZACHARY TAYLOR

Zachary Taylor (nicknamed Rough amd Ready) was an American soldier and the twelfth president of the USA. He was born in 1784 at Orange County, Virginia and died in 1850. He received an appointment to the US army as first lieutenant in 1808. In 1812 he defended Fort Harrison against the Indians. After the long period of comparative peace he served in the Black Hawk war of 1832 and the Seminole war in Florida from 1836 to 1837, there, in December, 1837, he won the battle of Okeechobee. On the annexation of Texas the then general Taylor marched to Rio Grande, Colorado and gained victories at Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma. He was made major-general, and stormed Monterey in September 1846. In the following campaign General Taylor, who had been compelled to detach some of his best troops, was attacked by vastly superior forces under Santa Anna, and gained a brilliant victory at Buena Vista, on February the 22nd to 23rd,1847. The following year the Whigs nominated him as candidate for President over such competitors as Clay and Webster, and he was elected and entered on his duties in 1849. The California question complicated with the absorbing slavery topic was the chief matter in President Taylor's administration; he died before the compromise was completed.
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BATTLE OF BUENA VISTA

The Battle of Buena Vista was fought during the Mexican War on February the 22nd and 23rd, 1847, in and around Buena Vista. About 5000 American troops commanded by General Zachary Taylor defeated some 17,000 Mexicans under General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna and inflicted about 1500 casualties. American losses totalled 746. Santa Anna retreated, and Taylor was left in control of northern Mexico. By weakening Santa Anna's forces, Taylor helped the American campaign in the south, hastening the end of the war.
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BATTLE OF RESACA DE LA PALMA

The Battle of Resaca de la Palma, Texas was an American victory over the Mexicans on May the 9th, 1846 during the Mexican War, General Zachary Taylor utterly routed General Arista and drove him from this stronghold, to which the latter had retired after the Battle of Palo Alto. The Mexican artillery, baggage, war material and Arista's private correspondence were captured. Captain May, of Taylor's dragoons, won the day by charging upon and silencing the Mexican guns. General Taylor's army numbered 2000 men; that of Arista 5000 men.
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MEXICAN WAR

The Mexican War was held between the USA and Mexico from April, 1846, until September, 1847. The excuse for the war was the revolt of Texas from Mexico and the subsequent annexation of that State to the Union in 1845. Not only had Texas revolted, but she claimed and carried into the Union with her a far more extended territory than had been accorded in the original Mexican arrangements. In November of 1845, President Polk sent Slidell, a member of Congress from the South, to Mexico to treat with President Herrera concerning some indemnity for Texas and also to negotiate for California. Slidell was not received, for Paredes, the soldier, had succeeded Herrera. Polk at once ordered General Zachary Taylor, then commanding the army, to advance through the disputed territory and take a position on the left bank of the Rio Grande River. Here, near Matamoras, on April the 23rd, 1846, he was attacked by the Mexicans under Arista, and a portion of his forces were captured.

While Taylor struck Mexico General Kearney marched into New Mexico, conquered the whole country, raised the United States flag, and, sending Doniphan to join Wool at Chihuahua, he proceeded to California, which was speedily conquered, chiefly through the efforts of Lieutenant Fremont. Scott now assumed command of the army in Mexico, but Taylor continued to command in the North. Taylor fortified himself at Corpus Christi for a time in the defence of Texas, but later advanced into the heart of Mexico, leaving a garrison at Fort Brown opposite Matamoras. This place was afterward bravely defended by Major Brown.

The battle of Palo Alto was the first great battle of the war, occurring on May the 8th, 1846. The Mexicans under Ampudia and Arista were defeated. Then followed in quick succession the battles of Resaca de la Palma, Buena Vista and a number of lesser fights, all disastrous to the Mexican cause. Thus Taylor penetrated into northern Mexico.

Then Scott landed at Vera Cruz and marched on the Mexican capital. Santa Anna, the Mexican general, was badly defeated at the battles of Cerro Gordo, Contreras and Churubusco. Finally, General Scott, after a series of brilliant victories, marched on the city of Mexico, arriving in August, 1847. After detailed operations of siege and bombardment, which terminated in the Mexican defeat at Molino del Rey, on September the 7th and 8th, and a final scathing bombardment, the capital surrendered on September the 14th, thus terminating the war.

The war was plainly one of unjust aggression on a minor power, with the American object being that of winning more territory for new slave States.
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