[1] He was appointed as a U.S. Navy midshipman in 1828, served in the sloops of war St. Louis and Peacock during the next decade, and was promoted to the rank of lieutenant in 1840.

Promoted to the rank of captain in July 1862, he commanded the steam sloop Housatonic during the next several months.

In that role, he participated in attacks on Confederate fortifications protecting Charleston, South Carolina.

Captain Taylor commanded the steam sloop Juniata during 1864–65 and took part in the operations that led to the capture of Fort Fisher, North Carolina.

[2] He reached the rank of rear admiral in early 1871 and spent his final active duty period as President of the Board of Examiners.