Born in London, England and emigrating to New York in the United States, Henry Greenwood Taylor would be thrust into the upcoming conflict between North and South. Feeling patriotic duty to his new adopted country, at age 24, Henry enlisted into the 5th New York Infantry (Duryée’s Zouaves) on August 7th, 1862 at New York City, mustering into Company D. The zouaves were modeled off of the French Zouaves of the Crimean War, wearing similar uniforms and using similar tactics. Henry was promoted Corporal on December 1st, 1862. He was then transferred to a new regiment - 146th New York Infantry - and mustered into Company K of that unit on May 4th, 1863 and promoted to 1st Sergeant. Henry’s new regiment was also awarded the Zouave dress, and would proudly wear these unique French-styled uniforms for the remainder of the war. He was promoted up through the ranks until he reached 1st Lieutenant of Company H, 146th New York on February 1st, 1865.

During the Appomattox Campaign, Henry and the 146th New York belonged to General Joseph Hayes’ 1st Brigade, General Romeyn Ayres’ 2nd Division, General Charles Griffin’s 5th Corps, U.S. Army of the Potomac. They played a principle role in shattering the Confederate battle line at Five Forks on April 1st, 1865, also resulting in their previous brigade commander General Frederick Winthrop becoming mortally wounded. They also would chase after Lee’s retreating Confederate army following the fall of Richmond and Petersburg. Ultimately Henry, the 146th New York and the rest of the 5th Corps marched around the rebel army to get in its front, blocking the road it was using to escape. On the morning of April 9th, 1865 near the Appomattox Court House village, the 146th New York deployed into line of battle and attacked the Confederate battle line trying to reopen the Richmond Lynchburg Stage Road as a means of escape. Henry and the 146th New York, being apart of the most advanced line of battle, would ultimately see one of the first white flags of a truce being raised on the battlefield after the Confederate battle line was shattered and retreated. It was during these flags of truce that Lee and Grant would meet in Wilmer McLean’s parlor to discuss and decide upon the surrender of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia hours after the hard fighting that morning.

Following the surrender of Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia and the end of the war, Henry was mustered out with the rest of his company of the 146th New York on July 16th, 1865. He returned home to his wife and son, and was a founding member of the 5th New York Veteran Association. Years later, ultimately he would move to Florida. On August 13th, 1921, Henry passed away in Parker, Bay County, Florida.