When the Civil War expansion of the Navy engendered a pressing need for junior officers in the fleet, Midshipman Taylor's class was graduated a year early.

He was commissioned ensign on 28 May 1863 and posted to the steam sloop Shenandoah operating with the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron.

In 1864, he was transferred to the sloop-of-war Iroquois, in which he visited the Mediterranean and participated in the hunt for the Confederate raider CSS Shenandoah.

In 1890, he returned to duty to command Alliance on the Asiatic Station until September 1891 when he took another leave of absence until December 1892.

In March 1900, he became a member of the General Board and, 11 months later on 11 February 1901, he was promoted to rear admiral.

Admiral Taylor and his wife Mary Virginia are buried at Arlington National Cemetery.