Born in Zanesville, Ohio, in 1842, Charles Taylor moved to Missouri at an early age. When the Civil War began, “Fletch” became an officer in William Clarke Quantrill’s guerrilla band. He participated in the Battle of Independence on August 11, 1862, and was sent by Quantrill to Lawrence, Kansas to scout the area in preparation for his August 21, 1863 raid. Taylor also took part in the defeat of General James Blunt’s forces at Baxter Springs, Kansas, on October 6, 1863. Wounded in a skirmish with Union troops on August 8, 1864, Taylor’s right arm was amputated; in October 1864 he was wounded in his good arm during a dispute with fellow guerrillas, and retired from active service.

Following the war, Taylor moved to Joplin, Missouri, and became a prominent citizen, serving on the Joplin City Council and as an officer in the Joplin Mining and Smelting Company. Taylor died in Oakland, California, on April 22, 1912.

Carte-de-Visite by Unknown Photographer

Image Courtesy Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield; WICR 30209