Becoming Capt. Taylor’s Confidant
How Transcription Research Reveals Private Life of Steptoe Soldier
Written by Karen Summers for Fort Walla Walla Museum
A portrait of O.H.P. Taylor.
A collection of Captain Oliver Taylor’s letters, along with a few personal items of his, were donated to Fort Walla Walla Museum in late 2023. I had the exciting opportunity to help the museum transcribe these personal letters and learn more about the early life of Captain Taylor during the 1800s. Below are excerpts from the transcription project, which is still ongoing. These documents help us understand who Taylor was, and how he found himself in the Walla Walla area. The excerpts below lay out some of Capt. Taylor’s early life.
Oliver Hazard Perry Taylor was born in Newport, Rhode Island, on September 14, 1824, the son of Commander William V. Taylor of the U.S. Navy. He harbored a strong desire to pursue a military career as a young man. At 15, Ollie, as he was known by friends and family, put himself forward as a candidate for West Point in an earnest letter dated November 9, 1839, to Joel R. Poinsett, U.S. Secretary of War.
“It has long been the desire of my friends, as well as of myself, that I might enter the Military Academy at West Point, and my father being absent in command of the U.S. Ship Eric, on the West India station, the duty of writing to you devolved upon me. I therefore deem it necessary to make my application at this time, in order to learn if my views can be forwarded.”
After elaborating on his education for military leadership, Taylor concludes with the following:
“If you should feel disposed to render me any assistance in the attainment of my object, you will confer a lasting obligation on me, and no exertions on my parts, shall be spared to prove myself worthy of your favour.”
In continuing pursuit of his goal, Taylor made a trip to Washington D.C. in the summer of 1841 with the hope of meeting with the Secretary of War. His private journal shows that for a young man, not yet 17, this was an illuminating month, allowing him to observe at length the House of Representatives and the Senate while seeing now famous political leaders of his time.
“…(I) adjourned to the Senate where for the first time heard Mr. Clay speak, was fortunate enough to secure a good position in the ladies gallery and heard him talk for an hour on the District bank bill. He gave us a specimen of his humor in reply to Mr. Allen, but his manner is inimitable and his words seem when written nothing more than what any one else could say. There is a deal of fun and yet earnestness in his manner which must be heard and seen to be duly appreciated.”
(Thursday, June 24, 1841)
In addition to afternoons spent listening to political debates, Taylor had the opportunity to tour important landmarks and government offices and meet highly connected people.
“…The outside of the Capitol is beautiful and the grounds are equally so. After leaving the Capitol we went to call upon the President of the United States (Editor’s Note: President John Tyler), and I had the honour of being introduced to him. He is a very plain gentleman in his dress and the ante room was not elegantly furnished at all although the East Room where he receives evening guests is very elegant…”
(Monday, June 21, 1841)
One of the letters received as part of the O.H.P. Taylor Collection in 2023.
After the day wherein Taylor took a lengthy visit to the Patent Office “… and saw there all the patents of every thing “in creation” among others,” and observed the removal of late President William Henry Harrison’s remains via train, Taylor wrote:
“This has been to me a very interesting day and every day that I remain here seemed to have more of interest. I scarcely know what to say in return for the kindness of my dear parents in permitting me to come upon this journey which will ever be deeply rooted in my memory & I hope that it may be the means of making me sensible how much I am blessed in having such kind and indulgent parents.”
(Saturday, June 26, 1841)
Taylor was often escorted in town by Mr. Blagden, his host during his stay in Washington D.C.. Often they rode horseback throughout the city or walked through surrounding neighborhoods. On Friday, June 9th, Taylor writes of a day spent with Blagden:
“Went at ½ past 10 o’clock to the Senate & remained until 2. The debate was quite interesting, between Mr. Benton, Calhoun, Walker, Allen & others. In the remarks of Hon. Thomas Benton he called Mr. Jefferson ‘an orthodox man’, and explained the meaning of orthodox, ‘in the Greek signification that is a perpendicular straight up and down man and any president who is not like him is not my man’. Them’s his sentiments. Arrived in time for dinner which like two old bachelors we took by ourselves. At 5 o’clock we went on horseback to the city and I saw Mr. Morgan who has been to see the Sec. of War and the result was that the Sec. will give me the appointment, as soon as there is a vacancy… we then proceeded to Georgetown… As we passed on the south of the Presidents house we saw him walking in his grounds. We concluded not to take tea with him tonight and were fortunate enough to get away without being seen by him for he would probably be so urgent that we could not refuse him. Galloped out of N.Y. into Pennsylvania Avenue and thence into N.J. to our tea”.
Having finally met with the Secretary of War and secured his promise of an appointment (if the Secretary were to be reminded), Taylor prepared to return to his family in Newport, RI.
“After dinner went to ride as exercise is absolutely necessary and at the cool part of the day it can easily be taken. Mr. and Mrs. Blagden spent the evening in writing letters and we all separated at about eleven or half past. I intend to stop at Philadelphia tomorrow night so as to avoid travelling during the night. The family here are so kind that I hardly know how to part with them. I received a most beautiful present, in a knife of the kind made expressly for Congress from Mr. Blagden. Various little attentions which I have received, being comparatively a stranger and having no claim to them, have so bound me with gratitude that I shall look upon Mr. & Mrs. B hereafter as my brother & sister instead of merely friends.”
(Thursday July 15, 1841)
On February 6, 1843, Oliver Hazard Perry Taylor received the following message.
“The President of the United States having been pleased to appoint Oliver H.P. Taylor a Cadet in the service of the United States, he is to be received as such, and entitled to all the considerations attached to said appointment, from the 30th day of June, 1842.”
Undoubtedly, “Ollie” was thrilled to embark on this new chapter of life.
This is the first installment of three chapters in the life of Oliver Hazard Perry Taylor, as taken from his letters.