1/ On this day, July 9, 1850, America lost its 12th president, Zachary Taylor, dying in office. A war hero turned statesman, his brief presidency left a lasting mark. Let’s explore his rugged life, from battlefields to the White House—a story of grit and duty. #AmericanHistory #ZacharyTaylor
Early Life
2/ Zachary Taylor was born on November 24, 1784, in Orange County, Virginia, to a prominent family. His father, Richard, a Revolutionary War veteran, moved the family to Kentucky’s frontier. Raised on a rugged homestead, Taylor had little formal education but learned horsemanship and survival skills. By his 20s, he was drawn to military life, his frontier upbringing shaping a tough, no-nonsense leader nicknamed “Old Rough and Ready.”
Military Career: Early Service
3/ In 1808, at 24, Taylor joined the U.S. Army as a first lieutenant in the 7th Infantry. Stationed in the Northwest Territory, he defended forts during the War of 1812, earning a promotion to major after repulsing a British-Native attack at Fort Harrison (1812). Through the 1820s and 1830s, he served in the Black Hawk War and Seminole Wars, commanding with grit in harsh conditions, building a reputation as a soldier’s soldier who shared his men’s hardships.
Military Career: Mexican-American War
4/ Taylor’s fame soared in the Mexican-American War (1846-1848). As a general, he led victories at Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma (1846), using artillery to outmaneuver larger Mexican forces. His capture of Monterrey and the stunning triumph at Buena Vista (1847), against 4-to-1 odds, made him a national hero. His plain-spoken courage and battlefield savvy earned him widespread admiration, setting the stage for political calls.
Whig Party
5/ Taylor’s war hero status made him a prime presidential candidate by 1848. Whigs, seeking a popular figure to rival Democrats, saw his fame as a vote-winner, despite his lack of political experience. His vague stance on issues appealed to a divided nation, and his outsider image—never having voted—drew support from those tired of career politicians. The party believed “Old Rough and Ready” could unify voters with his blunt, patriotic appeal.
Presidency
6/ Elected president in 1848 as a Whig, Taylor took office in March 1849. His brief tenure (16 months) focused on preserving the Union amid growing sectional tensions. He pushed for rapid statehood for California and New Mexico, favoring free territories, and stood firm against Southern threats of secession. His no-nonsense style clashed with Congress, but his death on July 9, 1850, from a sudden illness cut short his efforts to bridge divides.
Death and Legacy
7/ On July 4, 1850, Taylor attended a sweltering Independence Day event in Washington, D.C. Days later, he fell ill, likely from gastroenteritis, and died on July 9 at age 65. The nation mourned its warrior-president, with thousands lining the streets for his funeral. His legacy endures as a symbol of rugged leadership, his Mexican War victories and Unionist stance shaping America’s path. The Zachary Taylor National Cemetery honors his service. #OldRoughAndReady
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
1/ From May 18 to July 4, 1863, Vicksburg, Mississippi, became the focal point of the Civil War’s Western Theater. Ulysses S. Grant’s Union army, 77,000 strong, besieged John C. Pemberton’s 33,000 Confederates, entrenched in the fortress city. The 47-day ordeal, marked by assaults, bombardments, and starvation, aimed to seize control of the Mississippi River. Vicksburg’s fall, with 35,000 Confederate casualties and surrenders, was a Union triumph, splitting the Confederacy. This thread traces the siege’s grueling phases, from bloody attacks to the city’s surrender, a turning point that reshaped the war.
Grant’s Campaign and Arrival at Vicksburg
2/ In spring 1863, Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant launched a daring campaign to capture Vicksburg, the Confederacy’s Mississippi stronghold. After victories at Port Gibson, Raymond, and Champion Hill, Grant’s 50,000-man army outmaneuvered Lt. Gen. John C. Pemberton’s 33,000 defenders. By May 17, Grant drove Pemberton into Vicksburg’s fortifications, a 7-mile ring of trenches and forts atop bluffs. Crossing the Big Black River, Grant encircled the city by May 18, cutting supply lines. With Sherman, McPherson, and McClernand’s corps in place, Grant prepared to storm the “Gibraltar of the West,” setting the stage for a brutal siege.
First Assault (May 19)
3/ On May 19, 1863, Grant, eager to avoid a prolonged siege, launched his first assault on Vicksburg’s defenses. Sherman’s XV Corps, 15,000 strong, attacked Stockade Redan, a key fort north of the city, expecting weakened Confederate resolve. Pemberton’s 20,000 entrenched troops, under generals like Forney and Smith, repulsed the attack with rifle volleys and artillery fire. Union troops, pinned by steep ravines and abatis, suffered 1,000 casualties, including 150 dead, while Confederate losses were under 200. The failure convinced Grant to plan a larger, coordinated assault, as Vicksburg’s fortifications proved formidable.
🧵 1/ The Fourth of July marks the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, when 13 American colonies declared themselves free from British rule. But what sparked this bold move, and how did we get here? Let’s explore the history behind Independence Day. 🇺🇸 #FourthofJuly #AmericanHistory
2/ By the 1760s, tensions between Britain and the colonies were boiling. The French and Indian War (1754–1763) left Britain in debt, so they taxed the colonies to recover costs. Acts like the Stamp Act (1765) and Tea Act (1773) infuriated colonists, who had no say in Parliament. “No taxation without representation” became their rally cry.
3/ The colonists didn’t just sit quietly. Protests erupted—think Boston Tea Party (1773), where Patriots dumped tea into the harbor to defy the Tea Act. Britain retaliated with the Coercive Acts (1774), shutting down Boston’s port and tightening control. This only united the colonies further against the Crown.
1/ As we commemorate the Battle of Gettysburg’s anniversary (July 1-3, 1863), I’m spotlighting leaders who defined this Civil War turning point. Today: Major General Winfield Scott Hancock, the Union’s “Superb” commander whose stand on Day 3 held off Pickett’s Charge. His courage and tragic bond with a Confederate friend make this a must-read tale of duty and sacrifice.
Early Life
2/ Winfield Scott Hancock was born on February 14, 1824, in Montgomery Square, Pennsylvania, one of twin brothers. Named after the War of 1812 hero, Hancock grew up in a middle-class family, his father a lawyer and veteran. A studious yet spirited youth, he entered West Point in 1840, graduating in 1844 (18th of 25 in a class including Simon Bolivar Buckner). His early life shaped a charismatic leader, loyal to the Union, with a knack for inspiring men—a trait that would shine at Gettysburg.
Early Military Career
3/ Commissioned into the 6th U.S. Infantry, Hancock served in the Mexican-American War (1846-48), earning a brevet for gallantry at Contreras and Churubusco, where he forged a lifelong friendship with Lewis Armistead. Stationed on the frontier, he fought in the Seminole Wars and managed tensions in “Bleeding Kansas” (1850s). By 1861, as a captain in California, Hancock’s reputation for cool-headedness and discipline marked him as a rising star. His bond with Armistead, deepened in these years, would haunt him in the war to come.
1/ On July 3, 1863, Gettysburg reached its climax, with 140,000 troops locked in a desperate struggle. From Culp’s Hill to the fields south of town, Day 3’s battles—culminating in Pickett’s Charge—produced over 15,000 casualties, deciding the battle’s outcome. Lee’s Confederates staked everything on breaking Meade’s Union line, while the Army of the Potomac fought to hold the high ground. Cavalry clashes and artillery duels framed the day’s drama, as the Civil War’s turning point unfolded. This thread covers Day 3, where courage and carnage changed the trajectory of the war.
Morning Dispositions and Plans for July 3
2/ At dawn on July 3, 1863, Meade’s 85,000 Union troops fortified their fishhook line along Cemetery Hill, Culp’s Hill, and Cemetery Ridge, bolstered by II, III, and XII Corps. Meade anticipated a Confederate attack, focusing on defense. Lee, with 65,000 men, held Seminary Ridge and Gettysburg, his army battered but resolute. Frustrated by Day 2’s failures, Lee planned a massive assault on the Union center, led by Longstreet, with Pickett’s fresh division, while Ewell renewed attacks on Culp’s Hill and Stuart’s cavalry probed the Union rear. Both commanders braced for a decisive confrontation under a sweltering sun.
Morning Fighting on Culp’s Hill
3/ From 4:00 AM on July 3, Union XII Corps, under Brig. Gen. George S. Greene, launched a counterattack to reclaim Culp’s Hill trenches lost to Johnson’s Confederates. Over 10,000 Union troops, backed by artillery, blasted Ewell’s brigades—Steuart’s and Daniel’s—in a seven-hour slugfest. By 11:00 AM, relentless Union assaults, led by regiments like the 137th New York, drove the Confederates off the hill, securing the Union right. The fighting, marked by heavy musketry and cannon fire, cost over 2,000 casualties, ending Lee’s hopes of turning Meade’s flank and shifting his focus to the Union center.
1/ As we mark the anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg (July 1-3, 1863), I’m spotlighting Confederate and Union leaders who defined this Civil War battle. Today: Major General George E. Pickett, whose name is forever tied to the fateful charge on Day 3. His story of ambition, valor, and tragedy is sure to captivate. Join me to explore why Pickett’s Charge still echoes in history.
Early Life
2/ George Edward Pickett was born on January 16, 1825, in Richmond, Virginia, to a wealthy planter family. Raised in a society that prized honor and military tradition, Pickett developed a flamboyant personality and a flair for leadership. He secured an appointment to West Point through political connections, graduating in 1846—last in his class of 59, a group that included future generals like George McClellan and Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson. His early life foreshadowed a career marked by boldness and controversy.
Early Military Career
3/ After West Point, Pickett joined the U.S. Army’s 8th Infantry, serving in the Mexican-American War (1846-48). He earned praise for bravery at the Battle of Chapultepec, where he was among the first to scale the walls and plant the American flag. Stationed on the frontier in Texas and later in Washington Territory, he gained fame during the 1859 “Pig War,” a bloodless standoff with British forces, where his defiant stand over a disputed island showcased his audacity. By 1861, Captain Pickett was a seasoned officer, ready for the Civil War’s challenges.
1/ On July 2, 1863, Gettysburg became a cauldron of violence, with 150,000 troops locked in combat across a four-mile front. From Little Round Top to Culp’s Hill, Day 2’s clashes—Devil’s Den, the Wheatfield, Peach Orchard, and Cemetery Hill—produced over 20,000 casualties. Lee’s Confederates sought to break Meade’s fishhook line, while the Union fought to hold the high ground. Heroism and chaos defined the day, as both armies pushed to the brink. This thread explores Day 2, where the Civil War’s outcome hung in the balance.
Morning Dispositions and Plans for July 2
2/ At dawn on July 2, 1863, Meade’s 90,000-strong Union Army fortified Cemetery Hill, Culp’s Hill, and Cemetery Ridge, forming a defensive fishhook. Reinforced by II, V, and XII Corps, Meade prepared to repel Lee’s next strike. Across the field, Lee’s 70,000 Confederates held Seminary Ridge and Gettysburg, with Longstreet’s and Hill’s corps west, Ewell’s north. Lee planned a double assault: Longstreet to hit the Union left, Ewell the right, aiming to collapse Meade’s line. Delays in Confederate positioning, especially Longstreet’s march, postponed attacks until afternoon, setting up a ferocious clash.
Early Afternoon: Longstreet’s Assault Begins
3/ Around 4:00 PM on July 2, Lt. Gen. James Longstreet’s First Corps launched Lee’s main attack on the Union left. Hood’s division, over 7,000 men, targeted III Corps under Maj. Gen. Daniel Sickles, who had advanced to a vulnerable salient at the Peach Orchard, leaving Devil’s Den exposed. Hood’s brigades—Law’s Alabamians and Robertson’s Texans—stormed Devil’s Den, clashing with Birney’s division in a brutal fight among massive boulders. Artillery roared, and sharpshooters picked off officers. The Confederate push aimed to outflank the Union line, threatening Little Round Top and the entire Federal position.