American banker, lawyer, politician, and railroad executive (1838-1916) who, during the Civil War, fought with the Confederate States Army and became a key aide to General Robert E. Lee, rising to the rank of Colonel. After the war, Taylor became a senator in the Virginia General Assembly and attorney for the Norfolk and Western Railway and later the Virginian Railway. Civil War-dated DS, signed “W. H. Taylor,” one page, 8.25 x 9.5, March 22, 1865. Special order No. 73 from “Head Quarters, Department Northern Virginia,” which reads: “Leaves of absence upon Surgeons certificates of disability are hereby granted the following named officers: Lieut. Cad Jones ‘H’ I. C. Regt for thirty (30) days.” Signed at the conclusion by Walter H. Taylor as Assistant Adjutant General, “By command of Gen. R. E. Lee.” In fine condition, with splitting along the folds. This 30-day leave of absence would ultimately prove excessive as it would overlap General Lee's surrender at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865.
