He became a Brigadier General in 1838.
Taylor became a Colonel in 1832.
He was not highly educated and was not a scholar but he was smart. You don't become a successful major general and the president of the US if you are not smart.
Taylor was a career US army officer who became nationally famous for his part in winning the Mexican War.
The 12th President of the United States was Zachary Taylor from March 4, 1849 to July 9, 1850, a period of 492 days before he died. Taylor died in office.
Colonel US Grant was promoted to the rank of brigadier general in July of 1861. He led his troops to victory in Padua, Kentucky where the Confederates had established a base.
Millard Fillmore was originally Vice-President under Zachary Taylor. When Taylor died in office in 1850, Fillmore ascended to the Presidency.
Zachary Taylor played a major role in the Mexican-American War by forcing Santa Anna and his men to withdraw. He took a risk doing this because he was going against the orders of President Polk. When he was successful, he became an American hero. Taylor went on to become the 12th President of the United States.
Two Native American arose to the rank of General in the Civil War. The first one was the Cherokee Stand Watie, promoted CSA Brigadier General in 1864. The second one was the Seneca Ely Samuel Parker, promoted Brevet Union Brigadier General in 1865.
Sara Knox Taylor married the young Mississippian who would become the president of the Confederacy and who served under Taylor in Mexico -- Jefferson Davis. Source: http://millercenter.org/academic/americanpresident/taylor/essays/biography/7
They were second cousins, descended from Richard Taylor, who was the only person to have had two great grandchildren who went on to become president of the United States. Madison was the 4th president from March 4, 1809 - March 4, 1817. Taylor was the 12th president from March 4, 1849 - July 9, 1850.
I do not know about the number, but Andrew Jackson reported asked for spittoons in the White House and Zachary Taylor was happy to have them for his use.
Slavery was the big issue. In particular, whether to allow slavery in the territories acquired from Mexico and other territories that might become states. There also problems with dealing with fugitive slaves and the people who helped them escape.