History of Taylor's Battery

Taylor's Battery was first organized as Co. C 12 Battalion Virginia Light Artillery in August of 1862.  Then it changed its name to Eubank's Battery after its first Captain, John L. Eubanks, who resigned due to physical disability in the spring of 1863.  It was then that Lieutenant Osmond B. Taylor was appointed Captain, and the battery took his name.  More than 40% of the men from the battery came from Berkeley, Orange, and Goochland Counties in Virginia, and what is now West Virginia.  The battery fought gallantly in the battles of Second Manassas, Sharpsburg, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Knoxville Campaign, Wilderness, Spotsylvania Court House, Cold Harbor, and the Battle for Richmond.  The battery was surrendered by Lt. John H. Waddel at Harper's Farm in Amelia County Virginia on April 6, 1865, after Capt. Osmond B. Taylor refused to surrender to General George A. Custer's Cavalry force and was shot dead.