George W. Taylor (general)

George William Taylor (November 22, 1808 – August 31, 1862[2]) was a general in the Union Army during the American Civil War. He commanded a brigade in the Army of the Potomac before being mortally wounded at the Battle of Manassas Station in Northern Virginia. The poem "The General's Death" by Joseph O'Connor was based on George W. Taylor's death.

George William Taylor
Born(1808-11-22)November 22, 1808
High Bridge, New Jersey
DiedAugust 31, 1862(1862-08-31) (aged 53)[1]
Alexandria, Virginia
Place of burial
Presbyterian Churchyard
Allegiance United States of America
Union
Service/branch United States Navy
 United States Army
Union Army
Years of service1827–1831 (Navy)
1847–1848; 1861–1862 (Army)
Rank Midshipman
Brigadier General
UnitArmy of the Potomac
Commands held3rd New Jersey Volunteer Infantry
First New Jersey Brigade
Battles/warsAmerican Civil War

Early life and career

Taylor was born at "Solitude," the family's mansion near High Bridge, New Jersey, which was the home to five generations of the Taylor family. He was the son of Arch Taylor, a prominent local businessman.[3] Taylor graduated from a private military academy in Middletown, Connecticut. George W. Taylor joined his father's company as an ironworker with Taylor Iron Works. Taylor Iron Works/Taylor Wharton is the oldest foundry in US History and the 13th longest continually operating company in the world history (Economist 2004)

In 1827, Taylor joined the United States Navy as a midshipman, serving aboard the USS Fairfield during her Mediterranean deployment from 1828-1831. When the ship returned to the U.S., he resigned from the Navy and entered his family's mercantile business. With the outbreak of the war with Mexico in 1846, he became a captain in the 10th U.S. Infantry under Zachary Taylor the following year. While in Mexico, he developed a reputation for discipline and order among his men. He also cultivated a strong friendship with Philip Kearny, a fellow future Civil War general.[4]

After receiving his honorable discharge with the end of the hostilities, Taylor joined the California Gold Rush and spent three years mining at Corte Madera, California, (near San Francisco) before returning to New Jersey, where he engaged in the manufacturing of iron until the Civil War erupted in early 1861.[5]

Civil War service

Taylor helped recruit and organize what became the 3rd New Jersey Volunteer Infantry in May 1861 and was appointed by Governor Olden as the new regiment's first colonel. His son, Archibald II, served as his aide-de-camp. Taylor was involved in the fighting at the First Battle of Bull Run. Later, his 3rd New Jersey was brigaded with the 1st, 2nd, and 4th New Jersey Volunteer Infantry to make up what became famed as the "First New Jersey Brigade". Taylor's regiment served in the 1st Brigade, 1st Division of the VI Corps, in numerous battles in the Seven Days Battles during the end of the Peninsula Campaign.

When his mentor and friend Kearny was elevated to division command in June 1862, Taylor was promoted to brigadier general (date of rank May 9, 1862) of the 1st New Jersey Brigade, leading it in the Seven Days Battles. During the Northern Virginia Campaign, his brigade was sent down from Washington to scout out Confederate troop movements. On August 27, the brigade stumbled into Stonewall Jackson's entire corps and was quickly routed. Taylor suffered a severe leg wound from an artillery shell and died in a Washington hospital four days later.[1]

His body was transported to Clinton, New Jersey, via train, where hundreds of people turned out for his funeral. He was buried there in Riverside Cemetery (also known as Clinton Presbyterian Churchyard). A year later, his nephew was killed at the Battle of Chancellorsville and buried beside him.

See also

References
  • Eicher, John H., and Eicher, David J., Civil War High Commands, Stanford University Press, 2001, ISBN 0-8047-3641-3.
  • U.S. War Department, The War of the Rebellion: a Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, U.S. Government Printing Office, 1880–1901.
  • "George W. Taylor". Find a Grave. Retrieved 2009-04-16.
  • civilwarpoetry.org

Notes
  1. Eicher, p. 522.
  2. Eicher, p. 522. His grave monument states September 1.
  3. "Solitude Historical Marker".
  4. www.cityconnections.com, City Connections LLC. "People-Historic Clinton - Town of Clinton, New Jersey".
  5. George W. Taylor papers, University of Michigan

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