Richard Taylor

Born in Kentucky in 1826, he was the only son of Zachary Taylor, who later became president of the United States. He studied at Yale and went on to build his life in Louisiana, where he was also active in politics.

He is remembered chiefly for Destruction and Reconstruction: Personal Experiences of the Late War, a memoir published in 1879. Drawn from his experience as a Confederate general during the American Civil War, the book has remained notable for its vivid storytelling and strong literary voice.

Because his writing grows directly out of his role in the Confederacy, modern readers may approach it both as a historical source and as a document shaped by the beliefs and conflicts of its time. He died in 1879, shortly before or around the publication of his memoir.