Charles Taylor was an American cavalry

Cavalry

Cavalry or horsemen were soldiers or warriors who fought mounted on horseback. Cavalry were historically the third oldest and the most mobile of the combat arms...

 soldier and Medal of Honor

Medal of Honor

The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...

 recipient. He was cited for "gallantry in action" in the Battle of Big Dry Wash

Battle of Big Dry Wash

The Battle of Big Dry Wash was fought on July 17, 1882, between troops of the United States Army's 3rd Cavalry Regiment and 6th Cavalry Regiment and members of the White Mountain Apache tribe...

 in the Arizona Territory in 1882, for which he received the Medal of Honor

Medal of Honor

The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...

. Three other men, First Lieutenant Frank West

Frank West (Medal of Honor)

Frank West was a United States Army Colonel who was a recipient of the Medal of Honor for actions in fighting Indians at the Battle of Big Dry Wash, Arizona. West is an 1872 graduate of West Point....

, Second Lieutenant Thomas Cruse

Thomas Cruse

Thomas Cruse was a United States Army Brigadier General who was a recipient of the Medal of Honor for valor in action on July 17, 1882, at the Battle of Big Dry Wash, Arizona. An 1879 graduate of West Point, he served in numerous campaigns on the Western Frontier and later in the Philippines...

 and Second Lieutenant George H. Morgan

George H. Morgan

George Horace Morgan was an American cavalry officer and Medal of Honor recipient. He was the son of a Civil War general, George N. Morgan, and graduated from West Point, the U.S. Military Academy, in 1880....

 were also awarded Medals of Honor in this action.

Death and burial

Taylor attained the rank of First Sergeant before his death on August 3, 1899. He is buried at Soldiers Home National Cemetery in plot K-0851.

Medal of Honor citation

Rank and organization: First Sergeant, Company D, 3d U.S. Cavalry. Place and date: At Big Dry Wash, Ariz., 17 July 1882. Entered service at: ------. Birth: Baltimore, Md. Date of issue: 16 December 1882.

Citation:

Gallantry in action.

See also

• List of Medal of Honor recipients
• List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Indian Wars