Greenwood Cemetery

Born:   September 22, 1837 in England

Entered Service in the US Army from Burrillville, RI

Earned The Medal of Honor During the Civil War For heroism August 18, 1864 at Weldon Railroad, VA

On the morning of August 18, 1864, at the Weldon Railroad in Virginia, Private Joseph Taylor was detached from his company on detail as mounted orderly at brigade headquarters and ordered to escort Adjutant General Peleg E. Peckham through some nearby timber. He recalled, "Suddenly, to my entire surprise, I ran against a Confederate picket post of three infantrymen, who appeared to be as greatly surprised as myself. Immediately drawing my revolver, I commanded them to surrender and get out to the rear as quickly as possible as a cavalry charge was to be made right over the ground where we were standing. I did not know whether there was any cavalry within ten miles, but the thought came to me and I simply said it. The three men had stacked arms, which I ordered them to carry, when I felt a sharp pain, caused by a fourth Confederate, whom I had overlooked, lunging his bayonet through my right arm. I at once emptied a chamber of my revolver into his left breast and he dropped. Knowing that my shot would give an alarm, I ordered my three prisoners forward, and, revolver in hand, at their rear, I rode rapidly toward our line."