(1826-79) Son of General and President Zachary Taylor, and brother-in-law of Jefferson Davis. Graduated from Yale in 1845. He was his father's military secretary during the Mexican War. Later a sugar planter in Louisiana, he became interested in politics and served in the state senate from 1856 to 1861. At the outbreak of the Civil War, Taylor was appointed colonel of the 9th Louisiana Infantry. He was promoted to brigadier general on Oct. 21, 1861, and major general on July 28, 1862. He served under General Stonewall Jackson in the 1862 Shenandoah Valley campaign, and in the 7 Days battles before Richmond. He was next given command of the District of West Louisiana. His most celebrated achievement was the complete repulse of Banks' Red River expedition at Mansfield and Pleasant Hill in the spring of 1864. Promoted to rank of lieutenant general, April 8, 1864, he was then given command of the Department of Alabama and Mississippi. In May 1865, his forces became the last Confederate troops east of the Mississippi River to surrender. Wet plate, albumen carte de visite photograph, mounted to 2 3/8 x 4 card. Bust view in Confederate uniform. Light age toning. Backmark: E. & H.T. Anthony, New York. |
