Zachary Taylor, general and president, is closely associated with the history of the Lone Star State. He was nicknamed “Old Rough and Ready” by his troops in response to the rugged courage, he demonstrated in battle. This image was published in 1846, as Taylor was leading an army of 3,000 to defend Texas at the start of the Mexican-American War. While most contemporary accounts compared his habits and attire to those of a farmer, this portrait depicts him resplendent in his uniform. In the background, the map spread across the boulder, as well as the soldier, belie Taylor’s readiness for action.

Born November 24, 1784, in Orange County, Virginia, Taylor’s character was formed on the Kentucky frontier, where he moved with his family while still an infant. The son of Richard Taylor, a respected revolutionary war officer, political leader, and landholder, Zachary could have lived out his days in comfort as a gentleman farmer. Not content with this lifestyle, Taylor joined the army in 1807 shortly after he came of age. He rose through the ranks quickly, receiving promotions for his bravery in numerous frontier engagements, which included the defense of Fort Harrison, Indiana, and the Black Hawk War. In January 1846, Taylor assumed command of the 3,000-man army that marched to defend the territory along the Rio Grande and secure Texas for the Union. Just over three months later, the Mexican-American War began in earnest when sixty-three of Taylor’s men were lost in an attack by the Mexican army on April 24. During the battles that ensued, Taylor’s notoriety as a military leader grew. Due in large part to his successes during the Mexican-American War, Taylor was voted President of the United States in 1848. His tenure was brief, and he died in office in July 1850.