From NKAA, Notable Kentucky African Americans Database (PIONEERS & PATRIOTS: Anderson County Military Servicemen, Revolutionary War - WWI)

James Taylor was born a slave in Anderson County about 1844. He remained a slave into adulthood; President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation only freed slaves in states openly hostile toward the Union. Late in the war, however, the government called for the enlistment of colored regiments, and all who answered the call were granted immediate freedom.

Taylor therefore made his way from his home near Lawrenceburg to Camp Nelson in Jessamine County to enlist, and on September 14, 1864 was enrolled as a private in Company E of the  5th U.S. Colored Cavalry Regiment. At that time James gave a statement that he was born in Anderson County, KY about 1844. 

Although the 5th Colored Cavalry Regiment had not yet reached its full complement of men, those enrolled in the regiment by the end of September were pressed into immediate service under command of General Stephen G. Burbridge in his campaign into southwestern Virginia, with the intent of depriving the Confederates of the use of the valuable King Salt Works near Saltville, Virginia.

There were many in the Union Army who doubted how effective the Colored troops would be in a combat situation, fearing the ranks would fall apart when lead flew and men fell, but all doubts were quickly put to rest on October 2, 1864 during the First Battle of Saltville. After fiercely fighting an all-day battle, the Federals failed to capture Saltville  and were forced to withdraw,  leaving scores of dead and wounded soldiers behind on the battlefield. Of the 400 men of the 5th Colored Cavalry Regiment engaged in the battle, over 120 were reported killed, wounded or missing.

In the aftermath of the battle, a general massacre occurred as all the wounded Colored troops were reported to have been murdered. James Taylor was listed as MIA following this engagement and no doubt was among those killed during the morning of October 3, 1864.