Brief guide to manuscripts collections| William L. Clements Library The University of Michigan George Taylor Papers |
George W. Taylor was born into a wealthy New Jersey family, educated at Alden Partridge's military academy, and appointed a midshipman in the navy in 1827. He received orders to serve on board the Sloop of War U.S.S. Fairfield, and was a member of the crew during her Mediterranean deployment from 1828-1831. He resigned from the navy in 1831 to join his family's mercantile business. He served as a lieutenant under Zachary Taylor in the Mexican War. George Taylor joined the California Gold Rush and spent three years mining at Corte Madera near San Francisco. He returned to Hunterdon County, N.J., and became active in local Republican politics.
At the outbreak of the Civil War, Taylor was made colonel of the 3rd New Jersey Infantry and saw action in the first battle of Bull Run. He was promoted to brigadier general in June, 1862, and commanded his brigade in the second battle of Bull Run, where he was mortally wounded.
Papers of George William Taylor, United States Army officer.
This collection contains 19 letters from Taylor to his family during his Navy tour in the Mediterranean, 1828-1832; a journal of the same period, 144 pp. 53 letters from Taylor to his wife, written during the Mexican War and his years in California; and 5 letters relating to his Civil War service.
Gift of Mrs. Constance B. Stanton, 1963
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