By Joann Holdbrooks
December of 1863 found Co. L. of the 1st Alabama Volunteer Cavalry camped at Camp
Davis near Glendale, Mississippi. By orders of Colonel Dodge a detail of five or six men had
been dispatched from Camp Davis to recruit new members for the company. Private Charles
A. Taylor was among these men that were chosen for the detail. Nearing Jacinto, Mississippi
on the cold Christmas day of 1863 the detail of men was fired into by bushwhackers causing
their horses to stampede. Private Charles Taylor's horse made a quick bolt to the left throwing
him into the Pommel of the saddle causing a painful rupture to his left groin. This injury was to
plague him for the rest of his life, gradually growing worse and eventually contributing to his
death.
Charles Alexander Taylor was bom January 24th, 1834, in Harden County Tennessee, to
John Henry and Eliza Cagle Taylor. The Taytor family eventually migrated to Winston County,
Alabama. On February 19, 1857 Charles Taylor wed Louisa Jane Curtis, daughter of
Solomon Curtis. They were married at the home of Solomon Curtis by W. H Hide. To this
Union was born eight children. George W. Taylor August 30, 1858, A. M. Taylor June 28 1860
(died), Thomas P. Taylor March 7, 1862, Martha Jane Taylor December 2, 1865, John F,
Taylor December 16, 1868, James J Taylor August 17, 1875, William V. Taylor March 30,
1880 and Lewis M. Taylor October 18, 1882 ,
Charles A. Taylor decided earty in the days of the Civil War that he would remain with the
Union, as did many others in Winston County. He enlisted in the 1st Alabama Volunteer
Cavalry, Co. L. at Glendale Mississippi After the encounter with the bushwhackers on
Christmas day of 1863 he was separated form his unit and was unable to return. He stated," 1
hid out in the bushes and woods to keep from being shot by the Rebels". Eventually after two
or three months he was able to return. He was treated by the Regimental Sergeant for his
injuries. On a march from Glendale, Mississippi to Jasper Alabama they came within ten miles
of Private Charles Taylor's home, in Ellaville. On the advice of his Captain he went home and
took to the woods to prevent capture by the Rebels. In his own words he stated," I went home.
I was treated in the woods by Doctor Bird and DeGraffenreid." They were both Union men.
Private Charles A. Taylor was discharged from the Cavalry on May 1st, 1864.
The later years of Charles A. Taylor's life clearty indicates that his condition was declining.
He was plagued with chronic diarrhea, and urinary infections. A large Varicocele had
developed from the injury that he sustained while he was in service. He was unable to do
manual labor and was constantly in pain. Testimony from his comrades in his pension records
state that he was a sound and healthy man when he went into service.
Another part of Charles Taylor's life was service to God. He was very active in the Clear
Creek Baptist Association and a dedicated Minster of the Gospel He was respected and loved
by all who knew him.
Charlie, as he was called, had disposed of all his land before his death. In his pension
records it states that he sold his 60 acres of land for $100 dollars ten years before his death.
He was cared for by his two sons John F. Taylor and Lewis M. Taylor during his last days. He
departed this life on January 7th 1916 from complications of pneumonia, at the home of Lewis
M. Taylor.
Charles Alexander Taylor was laid to rest in the Curtis Cemetery beside his beloved Louisa
Jane who preceded him in death on November 8, 1912. His marker reads, Chas. A. Taylor,
1st Alabama Cavalry, Co. L,
*References, Pension Records of Charles A. Taylor
Heritage of Winston County Vol. 67
Personal Research
Service records compiled by Glenda Todd and used with her permission. This and other information about the history of the First and the men who fought with the unit
can be found in her book, First Alabama Cavalry, USA: Homage to Patriotism.