This sword belonged to Major and later Colonel George W. Taylor of the 4^th Virginia Militia who served during the Spanish-American War.

The drawn sword meas. approx. 39.00 inches long from point to pommel. Blade meas. approx. 33.00 inches long and has a 23.00 inch stopped central fuller and a 21.00 inch narrow fuller. Obverse ricasso has an inset brass circle marked “PROVED” while the obverse ricasso has a Knight’s head mark. The obverse side of the blade is etched with an intricate decoration of scrollwork and flowers. The presentation sentiment is etched on the blade approx. 1.50 inches above the ricasso. It reads “PRESENTED TO MAJOR GEORGE W. TAYLOR AS A TOKEN OF AFFECTION AND ESTEEM FROM HIS OLD COMMAND CO.A 4^TH REGT. VA. VOLS MAY 14^TH.” Reverse etching has the same decoration as the obverse but with an intertwined “US” worked into it. The blade surface has some very light mottling. Edge is free of nicks but point is slightly rounded.

Brass hilt has a thermo-plastic grip wrapped in ten courses of plain triple wire. Wire has loosened on the bottom course. Pommel cap has a slightly loosened top that causes the hilt to wiggle some. Counterguard has three branches that meet at bottom to form a counterguard. Knucklebow is engraved with scrollwork where it meets the pommel. Two of the three knucklebow extensions are engraved on front and back with oak leaves. Top of counterguard has floral decoration.

Blued iron scabbard has intricate scrollwork mounts and drag. Ring mounts have a raised laurel leaf motif. Top mount and throat are missing the set screws as is the drag. Top mount also has some light damage by way of a bent top edge on one side and a small broken piece on the other. Scabbard body has small hole on one edge about 8.00 inches above the drag.

The Fourth Virginia Volunteer Infantry was mustered into service between May 9 and May 25, 1898, at Richmond, Virginia. Initially, the unit consisted of 954 men and 44 officers, but the unit swelled to eventually consist of 1,588 men and 57 officers. By October, 1898, the unit was stationed at Jacksonville, Florida's "Camp Cuba Libre," serving as part of the Department of the Gulf. On December 19, 1898, nine days after the war officially ended with the signing of the Treaty of Paris, the unit steamed for Cuba to serve as part of the occupation forces. The 4th Virginia arrived at the island two days later. The regiment served in Cuba until the following March, encamped near Havana at "Camp Columbia." They left Cuba on March 27, 1899, arriving in the U.S. two days later. It was mustered of service in April, 1899.

During its term of service the 4th had thirty men die of disease, 63 men discharged on disability and had 22 men desert.

Not much is known about Colonel Taylor. He was born November 30, 1853 to a well-known and wealthy Virginia family. He was the brother of Robert E. Lee’s aide Colonel Walter H. Taylor.  George was Captain of Company A, 4^th Virginia Militia and rose to be Major. At about the time of the Spanish-American War he was promoted to Colonel of the regiment. He died September 13, 1911 and is buried in Elmwood Cemetery in Norfolk, Virginia.  [AD]

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