William Taylor

William Taylor (1836 – April 6, 1902) was a Union Army soldier and officer during the American Civil War. He received the Medal of Honor for gallantry during two separate Virginia engagements. The Battle of Front Royal in 1862 and the Battle of Globe Tavern in 1864.

Civil War service Taylor began his military service on May 27, 1861 as a sergeant in Company H of the First Maryland Infantry Regiment. During the Battle of Front Royal with Company H on May 23, 1862, he burned a bridge to block the Confederate advance. His first Medal of Honor was awarded for bravery in this action, in which he was wounded in the right hand. He was promoted to the rank of second lieutenant of Company C in the same regiment on April 12, 1863.

While serving with Company M in the Battle of Globe Tavern on August 19, 1864, Lieutenant Taylor was captured during a reconnaissance mission behind enemy lines. His second Medal of Honor was awarded for this mission. After two months of imprisonment at the Confederate Libby Prison, Taylor and two other officers escaped and rejoined Union forces.

The Medal of Honor was awarded to Taylor on August 2, 1897.