INSCRIBED SILVER SIXTH-CORPS BADGE OF CAPT. FORRESTER TAYLOR, 23rd NEW JERSEY, MEDAL OF HONOR FOR CHANCELLORSVILLE

$5,500.00 SOLD

Quantity Available: None

Item Code: 1117-81

This silver Sixth Corps badge has a T-bar fastener on the reverse and is engraved on the face with a checked border and four flourishes on the top and bottom arms of the cross, with a “23” engraved at top and across the middle bar: “Capt. F. Taylor / N.J. Vol. Infy.” Forrester Lore Taylor is mentioned in the Official Records for, “the most brilliant courage, leading his men several times to the front under a most galling fire,” in the fighting at Salem Church in May 1863, but it was for several errands of mercy that he received the Congressional Medal of Honor for actions in the battle: “At great risk voluntarily saved the lives of and brought from the battlefield 2 wounded comrades.”

Born in Philadelphia 10/30/1833 Taylor joined the 23rd New Jersey, a regiment recruited for nine months service, on 8/25/62 at Beverly, NJ, mustering into Co. A as a sergeant on 9/13/62. After leaving New Jersey, the regiment was posted briefly at Washington and Frederick, MD, before joining the 1st New Jersey brigade of the 6th Army Corps in October. At Fredericksburg in December, it lost 3 officers and 57 men killed or wounded. Taylor wrote later that he had been detailed to command Co. H as early as Fredericksburg, and his official promotions followed pretty rapidly after the battle. He was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant of Co. G 12/26/62, 1st Lieutenant of Co. D 2/14/63, and Captain of Co. H as of 4/18/63.

During the Chancellorsville Campaign in May 1863 the Sixth Corps remained in place across the river from Fredericksburg to distract Lee while Hooker marched upriver to gain a position at Chancellorsville, off Lee’s left flank. When Lee moved to attack Hooker, Sedgwick crossed the river, took the heights at Fredericksburg, and began to move toward Hooker, but was repulsed at Salem Church. It must have been during the initial Federal attacks that Taylor was cited for leading his men forward. As Union forces pulled back toward the end of the first day’s fighting on May 3, however, Taylor rescued two of his company who had been wounded.

“After the retreat was ordered, as I was hurrying down the road, I came to the prostrate form of Second Lieutenant Wilson of my company, who earnestly begged me to save him.  Although it looked like suicide, I could not refuse, and stood by him making several unavailing efforts to obtain aid.  Finally three of my men who were hurrying by, responded.  One of them spread his blanket on the ground; we lifted the lieutenant on it, and, each taking a corner, started to the rear….” Taylor and his men were forced to abandon Wilson briefly as Federals began to retreat again, but returned to get him and barely made it back, having to avoid their own artillery as it fired on pursuing Confederates. Having delivered Wilson to safety, Taylor and his party returned and rescued a wounded corporal, and made yet a third attempt to find an officer from another company, but had to give it up after being fired upon by Confederate pickets, though not before giving out water and blankets to several wounded on the field whom they could not bring in.

Taylor’s service, along with that of the regiment, extended beyond the official terms of their enlistment. Although due to be mustered out in late May and already back in Beverly, NJ, the regiment volunteered to remain in service upon news of Lee’s move north, and proceeded to Harrisburg, PA, where they served until the crisis had passed and they were mustered out in late June.

Taylor’s service also extended beyond that of the 23rd. He rejoined the army in the Fall, taking a commission as captain of Co. H in the 34th New Jersey, a three-year regiment organized with the help of Col. E.B. Grubb, who had commanded the 23rd and which also rendezvoused at Beverly, NJ. Despite efforts to place it with the Army of the Potomac, the regiment joined the 16th Army Corps at Eastport, MS., in November 1863 and saw service in Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Alabama. It took part in several expeditions and scouts, including against Forrest, and fights at Columbus, Hickman, and Columbus, Kentucky. Taylor was discharged 12/2/64 and received a brevet to major 3/13/65. He died in Virginia in 1907 and was buried in the family cemetery in Rustburg.

We show a postwar photo of Taylor from “Deeds of Valor,” which includes his more extended account of his actions at Salem Church.  [sr]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THIS ITEM, AS WITH ALL OTHER ITEMS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB SITE,

MAY BE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR LAYAWAY PROGRAM.

FOR OUR POLICIES AND TERMS,

CLICK ON ‘CONTACT US’ AT THE TOP OF ANY PAGE ON THE SITE,

THEN ON ‘LAYAWAY POLICY’.

THANK YOU!

Inquire About INSCRIBED SILVER SIXTH-CORPS BADGE OF CAPT. FORRESTER TAYLOR, 23rd NEW JERSEY, MEDAL OF HONOR FOR CHANCELLORSVILLE

For inquiries, please email us at [email protected]

featured item

RARE TIFFANY & CO. HIGH GRADE MODEL 1860 NAVAL OFFICER’S CUTLASS

Manufactured: New York;  Maker: Tiffany & Co / PDL;  Year: Civil War;  Model: M 1860 Naval Officer Cutlass ; Size: 30.25;  Condition: VG High grade naval officer’s cutlass from Tiffany & Co New York.  It was debated by collectors that… (870-08). Learn More »

Upcoming Events

29
Mar

April 13-14: Spring Gettysburg Military Antiques Show Learn More »

Instagram