MOH - Joseph Taylor

The Forgotten Medal of Honor Recipient – Joseph Taylor

Joseph Taylor was born in Leeds, England December 16, 1847 and came over to the United States with his family and settled in Burrillsville, RI.  With his father’s permission he enlisted in the Seventh Regiment Rhode Island Volunteers August 11, 1862 at the age of 15.

The following is the account of how Joseph Taylor came to receive the Medal of Honor:

“This morning one of the mounted orderlies at brigade headquarters was killed outside the picket line.  Joseph Taylor was detailed to take his place and assigned to A.A. Adjust-Gen. Peleg E. Peckham.  They at once started out and he relates:  “We were obliged to pass over a route lying through dense shrubbery, he leading and I following.  The high bushes swung back with a swish into the face of my horse, and finally, he would not stand it.  I commenced to lose ground, in order to keep up, took a turn off to one side to avoid the objectionable bush.  By so doing, I lost my superior, and while trying to find him, suddenly came upon three fully armed rebel pickets, members of the Sixteenth Georgia Tigers.  I was startled for a moment, but regaining myself, immediately whipped out a revolver, and, covering them demanded their surrender.  They were at my command, for each realized that the first that dared make a move would be a dead man with chances that all would be shot, as I could handle my revolver quicker than they could handle their guns.  I made them march in front of me and took them before Brig.-Gen. John I Curtin, of Pennsylvania, who inquired with an expression of great surprise where I got them.”  For this feat the corps commander at once recommended Private Taylor for a medal of honor, which came to hand in due time, July, 1897, or thirty-three years afterword.”  [1]

Joseph Taylor was living in Lowell, Massachusetts at 28 South Whipple Street in 1897.  In 1905 another bronze medal was given to him from the war department.  This medal was awarded under an act of Congress April 23, 1904 of the new design.  This medal was for his actions on August 18, 1864 at Weldon Railroad near Petersburg, Virginia. 

Joseph Taylor married Mary Francis Chapman April 29, 1868 in Waverly, Rhode Island.  They had one daughter Frances Taylor born in Rhode Island.  The family soon moved to Lowell, MA and Joseph worked as a wool sorter and was active in the G.A.R.  He returned to Rhode Island for reunions of his unit.  His wife died June 24, 1907 and her body was returned to Rhode Island for burial.  Joseph Taylor married his second wife, Alice Cram January 20, 1909 in Lowell, MA.  They had no children.  Joseph Taylor died February 24, 1914 in Lowell, MA and is buried at Edson Cemetery in Lowell, MA.  His second wife died February 24, 1944 in North Billerica, MA and is buried with him at Edson.

Joseph Taylor’s family still resides in the greater Lowell area today.

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[1]  The Seventh Regiment Rhode Island Volunteers in the Civil War, 1862-1865 by William Palmer Hopkins, The Providence Press, Providence, R.I., 1903 p. 212.

Lowell Doughboys Expanding

I've come across such interesting stories about Lowell servicemen and women in too many wars to limit it just to World War One.   We are in the midst of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War.  We have the Vietnam War 50th anniversary coming up. The 100th anniversary of World War One is coming up in 2017.  The generation of WW2 participants are slowly slipping away.

There are stories to be told about our Lowell area veterans.  We must honor their service.  It's the least we can do.

Final Review of 76th Division at Camp Devens Before Going Overseas

The Lowell Historical Society has the George H. Russell Collection of panoramic photographs as part of their collection.  George Russell was a commercial photographer in Lowell from 1914 til  his death in 1944.  His family kindly donated photographs that had a  Lowell connection to the Lowell Historical Society in the 1990s.

Here is the 76th Division before leaving for overseas June 19, 1918.  Enlarge Photo Here

These images have been digitized by Digital Commonwealth and the Boston Public Library.  They are available online at the Center for Lowell History.

See the entire collection here

Full disclosure:   I am a board member of the Lowell Historical Society.  Consider joining!!

See http://www.lowellhistoricalsociety.org/membership.htm

Letters from Lowell Soldiers

The Lowell Sun published "Letters From Lowell Soldiers" regularly during the Great War.  I am reproducing this description and the letter in it's entirety below:

"Capt. Paul E. Kitteredge, whose death in France was announced only last Saturday, was a captain but two days when he was killed by a German shell, according to a letter written from France by Sergt. John T. McDermott of Co. M of the 101st regiment.  Sergt. McDermott is a well known Lowell boy and one of the closest friends the galant captain has.  He himself has been wounded in the leg and at the time of writing, Nov. 1, was recuperating in a hospital.  The wounded soldier is the son of Mr. and Mrs. M.J. McDermott and is one of the oldest members of Co. M.  He has seen seven years' service with the unit, having enlisted when he was but 16 years of age.  He was one of the best athletes of the old Ninth regiment and captain of the company basketball team for two years.  His father and two brothers are former member of the company.  Sergt. MdDermott served on the Mexican border and was formerly employed at the Lowell Opera House and the U.S. Cartridge Co.  His letter to his parents is as follows:

A.E. Forces, Nov. 1, 1918

Dear Parents: - I received your welcome letter all right and was glad to hear that all at home are well. I am in the hospital as I got wounded in the leg.
My best friend, Paul Kittredge was killed by a shell. He had been a captain only two days when he got his. He was one white boy. I tell you the company boys will miss him.
Well, I am on my cot while I am writing this but am wishing to get back to the boys. I was going to the officers' training school on the first of November, as I was next in line, but luck went against me and it will be some time before I get the chance again. I should worry, as I am just as well off, a sergeant. I am thankful to God that I came out with my life.
Hoping all the boys are well, and love to all,

JOHN T. McDERMOTT"

The Lowell Sun, November 27, 1918, p.11.

Kittredge Park at the junction of  Andover and Nesmith Streets in the Belvidere section of Lowell is named in Paul Kittredge's honor.  He is buried in the Meuse-Argonne Cemetery in France.

Armistice Day 11 November 1918

Lowell was a place of celebration November 11th, 1918 at 11:00 A.M.  Church bells and mill whistles rang out in celebration.  The World War was over.

Source:  The Lowell Sun, November 11, 1918.

"My Fellow-Countrymen - The armistice was signed this morning.  Everything for which America fought has been accomplished.  It will now be our fortunate duty to assist by example, by sober, friendly counsel and by material aid in the establishment of just democracy throughout the world." - Woodrow Wilson

On this Veteran's Day 94 years later we remember all that has been sacrificed for our freedom by all Veterans.  Thank you for your service.

Kearney Brothers in WW1

Kearney Square in Lowell used to be called Merrimack Square.  It is named for Lieut. Paul T. Kearney killed in action in France October 3, 1918.  It is one of the most historical and prominent spots in the city.

Source:  The Lowell Sun, November 4, 1918

Lieut. Paul T. Kearney was one of five sons of John Kearney and the late Elizabeth (Welch) of 142 Third Street in the Centralville section of the city.  Mr. Kearney  proudly displayed his 5 star service button.  Lieut. Kearney graduated from Green Grammar School, Lowell High School and Tufts.  He was employed by Hood Milk and Company in Boston.  He was 28 years old.  His body was returned to Lowell for his funeral and burial on August 8, 1921.

While driving through St. Patrick's Cemetery recently, I noticed the impressive stone for the Kearney brothers.  Four of them are buried together.

St Patrick's Cemetery, 1251 Gorham St., Lowell, MA

Thank you for your service.

First to Serve - Yankee Division

What does Lowell's response to the Civil War and Lowell's response to the Great War have in common?  Again, we were the first to respond to the call because we had active National Guard troops at the ready.

The 26th Yankee Division was organized August 13, 1917 by Major General Clarence R. Edwards.  It was organized by combining National Guard troops from all over New England.  It was the first division to arrive in France and the first to fight as the United States army not integrated into a French unit.

Source:  The Boston Globe, April 26, 1919 Souvenir Edition p2.

Yankee Division belt buckle 

Yankee Division Soldiers attributed to Lowell

 who paid the ultimate sacrifice

Pvt. Joseph Blanchard,  Supply Company, 102d Infantry, died of disease at Fort Devens April 13, 1918.
Corp. Bernard L Boisvert, 101st Engineer Train, killed in action October 27, 1918.
Pvt. Walter Bruce, Co M, 101st Infantry, died of wounds June 1918.
Pvt. Charles A. Buk, Headquarters Company,101st Infantry, killed in action June 1918.
Pvt. Philip Chalifoux, Co M, 101st Infantry, killed in action July 10, 1918.
Pvt. John Connolly,  Co M, 101st Infantry, killed in action November 1918.
Capt. Lorne L. Cupples, 102 Field Artillery, died of wounds October 1918.
Pvt. John (Stanley) Dzadolonis, Co G, 104th Infantry, died by accident in France May 1918.
Corp. George Garner, Co L, 102d Infantry, died in Lowell of wounds December 1918.
Pvt. Ralph G. Hurd,  Co G, 104th Infantry,  died of accident in France February 1918.
1st Lieut. Paul E.  Kittredge, 101st Infantry, killed in action November 1918.
Sgt. Frank Lyons, Co M, 101st Infantry, killed in action July 15, 1918.
Pvt. Elias F Macheros, Co A, 101st Infantry, killed in action October 23, 1918.
Corp. Thomas M. Mann, Co M, 101st Infantry, killed in action October 22, 1918.
Pvt. Walter Marr, Co I, 102d Infantry, killed in action July 22, 1918.
Pvt. Manuel Martin,Co G, 104th Infantry,  killed in action April 1918.
Sgt. John T. McDermott , Co M, 101st Infantry, killed in action.
Pvt. Arthur McOsker, Co M, 101st Infantry, killed in action July 16, 1918.
Pvt. Francis M. McOsker, Co M, 101st Infantry, killed in action July 13, 1918.
Pvt. Athanasios Michaelopoulas, Co I, 103d Infantry, died of wounds, July 12, 1918.
Pvt. Edward A. Nelson, , 101st Infantry, died of wounds November 1918.
Corp. George R. Quessy, Battery F,102d Field Artillery.
Pvt. Thomas J. Quirk, Co G; 104th Infantry, died of pneumonia in France February 1918.
Pvt. Murien Rodain, Co G, 104th Infantry, killed in action July 20, 1918.
Pvt. Charles Roy, 104th Infantry, killed in action June 1918.
Corp. Gerald F. Silk, Battery F, 102d Field Artillery, died of wounds July 18, 1918.
Pvt. Peter Silva, Co G, 104th Infantry, killed in action April 1918.
Corp. Daniel M. Tully,  Co F, 101st Infantry, killed in action October 23, 1918.
Corp. Samuel F. Tully,, Co 1, 101st Infantry, killed in action.
John M. Warren, Headquarters Company, 101st Infantry, killed in action July 22, 1918.
Pvt. Joseph Worthy, Co M, 101st Infantry, killed in action July 1918.


Many of the above men are honored here in Lowell with squares or parks.  As you drive around New England see if you find any other tributes to the Yankee Division.  Here are some that I know of:

• Route 128/95 beltway around Boston is the Yankee Division Highway
• Logan Airport is named for General Edward Lawrence Logan of the Yankee Division
• Camp Edwards on Cape Cod is named for YD Commander Maj. Gen. Clarence R. Edwards
• Clarence R. Edwards Middle School, Boston, MA