- Joined
- Aug 25, 2012
No general wins wars, campaigns, or battles by themselves. Chiefs-of-staff and aide-de-camps can aid in or hurt victory. What was it about Walter Herron Taylor that helped of hurt Robert E. Lee? Lieutenant Colonel Taylor was not a career soldier. He did go to Virginia Military Institute where he graduated in 1857. He them became a banker, lawyer, soldier, politician, author, and railroad executive. During the Civil War he served as a key aide to Robert E. Lee. Taylor did staff work for Lee and often issued written and verbal orders in Lee's name. Taylor at time operated as a gatekeeper and decided who got to see Lee and who did not get to see Lee. Taylor was with Lee at the Appomattox Court House surrender. Taylor was on the young side during the war and did not have extensive military experience. In an army where going to West Point was key to higher rank, Taylor seceded as a soldier. So what skills did Taylor have that made him a successful aide to General Lee?
Post war Taylor supported the reputation of Lee and wrote two books. He was in the Association of the Army of Northern Virginia and the United Confederate Veterans. Fairly or not some see Taylor as a major player in the "Lost Cause" history.
Post war Taylor supported the reputation of Lee and wrote two books. He was in the Association of the Army of Northern Virginia and the United Confederate Veterans. Fairly or not some see Taylor as a major player in the "Lost Cause" history.