Zachary Taylor was born 24 November 1784 in Orange County, Virginia. He was commissioned a first lieutenant on 03 May 1808. He married Margaret Mackall Smith on 21 June 1810, the same year he was promoted to Captain. In 1812, he succesfully defended Fort Harrison in Indiana Territory, against great odds, he was breveted a Major for this act... He was promoted to Colonel in 1819 and breveted General in 1838... In the winter of 1840/1841, Zachary Taylor came to Fort Smith, Arkansas, to be the commander of the Southwestern Division of the Army. He travelled to Arkansas on the steamboat, "President"... "He was associated with the Cherokees for a brief period when he assumed command of the Second Department, Western Division, of the United States Army, with Headquarters in Fort Smith and responsibility for Fort Gibson, IT <now Oklahoma>"... He established his headquarters at Fort Belknap (in Fort Smith)....... For those that are familiar with the Fort Smith area, Zachary Taylor's residence was at the east end of Garrison Avenue, behind what is now the Catholic Church there..... Suzy