The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1892-08-26
THE FIRST HERO


AT Jollytown, Pa, yesterday, was un-
yelled fine monument to the frat
Greene county soldier killed in the war
of the rebellion. The occasion was
made reunion Of his old comrades,
and as Jesse Taylor, the soldier whose
memory was thus honored, was a mem.
Der Of West Virginia regiment (the
Seventh volunteer infantry many West
Virginians participated. The day was
one long to be remembered. Among
the speakers announced for the unveil.
ing, most Of whom were present, were
7. JEFF. Duncan, OF Washington, Pa. |;
Capt. B. B. Dovener, OF Wheeling; Rev.
w. II. Wiley, OF Palatine, W. Va. Geo.
@. Sturgiss, ESQ.,, of Morgantown; ex.
Governor Pierpoint, Of Fairmont, and
B. F. Meighen, Of Moundsyille, w. Va
The following sketch OF the dead sol.
der, written by comrade will be read
with interest by the readers OF the
INTELLIaRNCER:
The subject Of this sketch was born
September the 26th, 1910, one and a
half miles west OF Jollytown, Greene
county, Pa. His parents names were
William and Lydia (Fox) Taylor. His
grandfather was John Taylor, who was
q British soldier in the war OF the
Revolution. He, however, deserted the
British army and joined the Americans.
Jesse had two brothers-Titus and
Thomas-The latter being a member Of
Company F, Seventh regiment West
Virginia Volunteer Infantry. Thomas
was discharged at Falmouth, Va, dur
ing the winter of 1852 and 1858 for dis
ability, contracted in, the service OF his
country's flag. There were two sisters,
Hester and Elizabeth. The former mar
ried Benjamin Bayard, OF near Burton,
W. Va. She was universally known for
her piety and strict devotion to the
principles Of religion, being a member
Of the class at the Jollytown M. E.
church. Elizabeth is the only member
OF the family who is now living, being
the wife OF John 7. Pogue, OF Wise, w.
Va.
The father, mother, brothers and sis
ter OF the subject OF this sketch arc all
buried on the old Francis Taylor home
stead, now owned by Patrick and Hagan
Taylor.
When the war OF the rebellion broke
out, Jesse was among the first to an-
swer his country's call for troops, and
at big war meeting held at Jolleytown
in the NJ. Z. church in the latter part
of August, 1861, he enlisted in Capt j.
B. Morris's company.
j. A. ]. Buchanan, ESQ.,, OF Waynes-
burg, was one Of the most prominent
speakers present, and delivered one OF
his best and ablest arguments in favor OF
the Union cause, and causing the patri-
otism of every heart to burn with re-
newed vigor. Boys who never once
thought OF golngto the front to bare
their breasts to the rebellead, were now
eager to enlist. Among them was Jesse
Taylor, who enlisted in Company +,
Seventh West Virginia Infantry. Maj.
]. B. Morris, of Mt. Morris, was cap
.tain, James Evans. colonel, and ]. q.
Lockwood, of Moundsyille, lieutenant
colonel.
Jesse Taylor was a fine specimen Of
manhood, large and muscular, stand
ing six feet two and half inches in
height. He was different from great
majority OF the young men OF his day.
1t was very common for young men to
be addicted to strong drink, but he was
an exception. He was asober, honest
and upright Christian man, having en-
braced religion at a revival in the NJ. Il.
church at Jollytown in the winter Of
1859 and 1850. Rev. Levi Park had
charge OF the meeting and was assisted
in this revival by Rev. William H.
Wiley, of Palatine, W. Va, who was a
noted reviyalist. There were about
eighty souls converted and Joined the
church at this wonderful revival. Jesse
Taylor never departed from the faith,
but retained his religion. In camp and
on the march he was always that same
iovial and light-hearted Christian gen
tleman and soldier.
The night before we started from New
Creek NOV Keyser, W. Va, on the
march to Romney, he seemed to be in
one OF his merriest moods. He laugh
ingly boosted how he was going to
Romney to play ball with the rebels,
how he intended to catch the flying can
non balls from the enemy's guns, and
| turn them back on them.
The regiment left New Creek about
midnight and marched to Romnoy, ar
irving there about three orfour o'clock
in tho afternoon Of the 2Bth of October.
The rebels were in possession of the
town, being under the command of COL
onel Mcdonald, who opened fire on our
troops when within about half mile oil
the town, having two or three brass
pieces posted in a graveyard near the
church. Our regiment was marching
toward the town on the pike road and
after firing two or three shots Jesse
Taylor was instantly killed, falling by
the roadside, never uttering word.
Except the gurGle of the blood in his
throat, one dying moan was the
only sound that emanated from the
dying man.
Thus in the short space OF only about
six weeks after leaving his home,
mother and friends, his life was sacri-
feed on the altar Of his country, being
the first soldier from Greene county
who iell iu battle in the late war OF the
rebellion. May his memory be perpet-
uated throughout the ages to come by
this monument Of granite erected by his
comrades, aud may the blessings Of God
be on all those who have contributed
their money their time and labor to-
ward bringing the enterprise to inal
success.