Representing: Confederate
MACON VOLUNTEER MOUNTED GUARDS
Organized: Fall, 1861
Mustered In: 10/7/61 (Commissioning)
Assimilation: September, 1862 Kinston, NC
3rd NORTH CAROLINA VOLUNTEER CAVALRY
Organized: 9/3/62
Mustered In: Inf. Not Avail.
Mustered Out: 4/9/65
*ED. NOTE: According to one researcher, Samuel Taylor could not have been a member of the Macon Mounted Guards as the MMG was from the far western part of North Carolina while the Taylors resided in the far eastern side of the state. Upon initial glance, this seems logical in a day and age when there was no mass communication and people were born, lived and died within miles of their birthplace.
With a second look, however, Mr. Taylor’s possible involvement in the MMG does not seem so far-fetched. The MMG would ultimately become company “E” of the 41st/3rd NC cavalry. That involvement came in the far eastern part of the state which means the organization travelled from western to eastern North Carolina during its existence. Further, when it joined the 41st/3rd contained soldiers from counties other than Macon. Based on these facts, herein – until information is found to the contrary – we are accepting that Samuel Taylor realistically could have been and, was, a private in the MMG.
UNIT HISTORY :( MMG)
See Company "E" 41st/3rd NC Cavalry below.
REGIMENTAL HISTORY: (41st/3rd)
Although no "official" regimental has been found for the 3rd, enough information from a variety of sources has been found to piece together the following chronology.
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Unlike within the Union armies where every unit was numerically identified, those within the Confederate structural hierarchy often had both personal name and numerical identifications with the former predating and, except perhaps on paper, superseding the "official" numerical identities. In other instances, such as with the 3rd, while on paper it was the 41st (infantry or cavalry) in popular terminology it was known as the 3rd Cavalry. Neither numerical tag had any significance as to when the origination was founded.
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Although official Confederate documents referred to the 41st as infantry regiment, it was commonly styled and known as the 3rd Cavalry. The 41st/3rd was organized at Kinston, NC in September, 1862 by drawing together small, pre-existing, independent cavalry organizations, many of whom had already experienced combat actibities within their own defensive fields within the eastern portion of the state.
The organizational makeup of the regiment was as follows:
Company A. This unit was initially known as the "Rebel Rangers." It traced its origins back into late 1861. It had been founded in New Hanover (County).
Company B. The "Gatlin Dragoons" of Onslow County also traced its roots back into the latter part of 1861.
Company C. The "Caswell Rangers" were from Caswell County. It was likely organized in early, 1862.
Company D. The "Highland Rangers" was organized in Harnett County. As an independent unit it commissioned its captain on 3/5/62.
Company E. Members of the "Macon Mounted Guards" primarily hailed from Lenoir and Craven counties, but the unit also had members from Pitt and Chatham. Its captains were commissioned on October 7, 1861. Unit strength 5 commissioned officers, 9 non-commissioned officers and 64 privates. Total = 76 men.
Company F. The "Davis Dragoons" were from Burke County. Its initial captain was commissioned in October, 1861.
Company G. This company was comprised of the "Scotland Neck Mounted Riflemen." It, too, traced its officer commissioning back to early October, 1861.
Company H. The "Humphrey Troops" were from Oslow County. It appears organization may not have been commissioned until December, 1862.
Company I. The "Wake Rangers" was from Wake County. Its caption was commissioned in February, 1862.
Company K. The "Clark Skirmishers" were from Martin and Washington counties with Pitt and Beaufort contributing. Its first officer commissioning occurred in mid-May, 1862.
According to Moore's official roster the regiment was fielded with 1,158 men in ranks. Others, however, believed the number was 1,200 if not more.
For the greatest portion of its existence, detached companies of the 41st/3rd served scattered over an extended field of operations within North Carolina and southern Virginia. Perhaps the prime function of this "western theater" regimental entity during this period was the defense of the Weldon - Wilmington Railroad. Near the end of the War, however, the 41st/3rd entered the "eastern theater" by being attached to Confed. Gen. W.H.F. Lee's cavalry with the Army of Northern Virginia. With that army's surrender at Appomattox Court House, VA on 4/9/65 the history of the 41st/3rd was ended.
SOLDIER (MMG)
Residence: Craven Co., NC Age: ca. 26/27 yrs.
Enlisted/Enrolled:10/7/61 Croatan, Craven Co., NC
Mustered In: 19/7/61 (est.) Rank: Pvt.
Assimilated/Transferred: September, 1862 into 41st/3rd NC Cav.
SOLDIER:
Residence: Craven Co., NC Age: ca. 27 yrs.
Assimilated/Transferred: From Macon Mounted Guards September, 1862 Kinston, NC Rank: Pvt.
Mustered In: Inf. Not Avail.
Mustered Out:
Discharged:
Highest Rank: Pvt.
PERSONAL/FAMILY HISTORY:
In terms of Samuel J. Taylor three words characterize his life: Information Not Available.
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Samuel James Taylor, Jr. was born circa December, 1833. No specific birth date is found in available documents. His place of birth was likely Buncombe in Cole County, North Carolina. We say "likely" because, while there is no targeted information pertaining to the Taylor family residing in that locale in 1833, that was where the Taylor family was found in both the 1840 U.S. census and that which followed a decade later.
Parents of young Samuel were Samuel James Taylor Sr. (b. 1788 NC) and Elizabeth "Betsey (nee Mills b. 1795 NC). While nowhere is it documented, the Taylors were likely a farm family.
As best as can be determined, Samuel, Jr. was the 5th of 8 Taylor children. His older siblings were: Harriet (b. 1825), Densey (b. 1827), William (b. 1829) and Anne (b. 1830). Those younger than he were: Mahala (b. 1835), Newton (b. 1836) and James (b. 1841). All of the Taylor children were birthed in North Carolina.
The first information on Samuel, Jr. (Henceforth Samuel) comes from October 7th of 1861 when he joined the cavalry unit dubbed the Macon Mounted Guards. His enlistment period was 1 year. He joined the unit for duty on 12/10/61.
As with most small, military units during the early part of the American Civil War, little or no information is available pertaining to their assignments or activities. What follows, however, is an "after action" report detailing a 3/16/62 field incident involving the Macon Mounted Rangers and Federal troops. The following activities took place near Kinston, NC:
No. 31. Report of Lieutenant J.L. Hughton, Macon Mounted Guards:
"According to orders from Brigadier-General Branch I left the Thompson breastworks at 8:30 pm on the 13th instant with 10 of my men and proceeded to Evans' Mill to establish a picket guard, which I did, but did not see anything worth reporting.
The next morning a little before day I, with my men proceeded to the bridge on the road leading from Captain Evans' to Croatan Battery. At light we commenced cutting it away, and after clearing it I then sent my men some 300 yards in a bottom. I hence set fire to the abutment of the bridge and all he plank that would have been of service to the enemy.
All the while I was cutting and burning their pickets were firing upon us at a great rate. I encouraged my men all I could, so they stood until I sent them off. After seeing the last of the bridge I then made an attempt to rejoin my company, but was cut off by their picket. I attempted the second time by a new route, but met with like fate. I then made a third trial, and after going for more than a mile I came across a negro, belonging to Dr. Curtis, of New Berne, who was trying to make his escape from the enemy, as he was tired of living with them. I stopped to ask him some questions, and he told me not to go any farther or else I should be taken. I then counter marched my men, and as they turned balls fell around us as fast as hailstones. We retired in perfect order. I had not gone far before we found ourselves surrounded. My only chance then was to charge upon their pickets. It happened just at that time the firing had ceased at the battery, and the picket supposing that we were cavalry in pursuit of them, so they ran from us faster than we from them. I then made my escape through Trenton, reaching Kinston at sunup Sunday morning completely exhausted, both men and horses."
As noted elsewhere herein, in September, 1862 the Macon Mounted Rangers became Company "E" of the 41st/3rd NC Cavalry. Documental notations pertaining to Private Taylor while with this organization include his being detailed as a scout (place not stated) on 12/19/62. Again, on 2/15/63, there is a notation regarding Confed. Gen. Robinson detailing Private Taylor as a scout. Finally, Private Taylor's name appears on the (company) rolls for 10/15/64 (place not stated), as being "absent on detail." While there is no documentation on the matter, likely Private Taylor continued to serve The Confederacy until his unit's surrender on 4/9/65 at Appomattox Court House, VA.
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Samuel, as many American Civil War veterans "fell off the map" after leaving the military. Not only do we not know how he separated from the former Confederate Army, we have no idea where he settled and what he did for a living. Further complicating matters, Samuel does not appear in the U.S. Census for 1870.
Regarding 1870, there is a file notation that sometime this year Samuel married to one Mary A. Pipkin (b. 4/51 NC). No details of the marriage are available. Interestingly, this marriage was the first for her, but the second for Samuel. There is absolutely no file information pertaining to his first wife etc. Did this marriage occur during the "dark screen" period spanning the years between what we know about his birth family and his 1861 appearance in the Macon Mounted Guards? Likely, but we will probably never know...................
The union of Samuel and Mary would produce three children, the names of only two of which are known. One was daughter Anna "Annie" E. (b.1871 NC). The other was son Johny (b. 1873). The gender and identity of the third child - possibly a son named Samuel? - is not noted in any documentation. Likely, that third child died at birth or soon after. In 1910 Mary would confirm that she had borne three children, two of which were then living.
The birth state of Anne shows that Samuel and his new bride likely married and settled in North Carolina. The U.S. Census for 1880 would place the family of five in or near the community of Old Fort, McDowell County, NC. At that time and at that place Samuel's occupation was noted as "farmer."
After 1880 the screen once again goes dark on Samuel Taylor. His next stage appearance comes in the census of 1910 when he and family appear in the small western Washington State community of Milton located north of Seattle in Snohomish County. Why they came and how they got there is not known. Did the family make one giant northwestwardly jump from North Carolina to Washington or, as in the case of many westward moving veterans, did they make the move in "smaller" segments. Although there is no definitive answer to that question there is one tantalizing hint that the answer is likely "no." That hint comes from 1900 and apparently places the Taylors in Marysville, Fremont County, Idaho a small community located below the panhandle in the far northeastern portion of the lower state near the Montana border. As always, what lured the family there, as well as when they arrived and departed is not known.
As previously noted, as of 1910 the Taylors - Samuel and Mary - were residing in or near the community of Milton located in Snohomish County, Washington. As always, what had drawn them there and when they arrived, is not known. Perhaps they came west to be near their adult children and families. One fact that is known, neither Samuel nor Mary would ever leave Snohomish County or the Pacific Northwest.
Samuel Taylor, Jr. died February 1, 1912 in Monroe, Snohomish County, Washington. As Monroe was where married daughter Anna (Hamilton) now lived, perhaps he and Mary were residing with she and her family and he died in her home. This is only speculation as no obituary has been found. At death the old Rebel was 78 yrs., 10 mos., and 8 days of age. (check) The old soldier was buried in the Monroe IOOF Cemetery.
After her husband's passing Mary remained in her daughter's Monroe home. She died there on September 14, 1930 at the age of 79 yrs., 5 mos., and 23 days. Burial was in Monroe beside Samuel.
Buried at IOOF Cemetery Monroe
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