The first African-American nurse to serve during the American Civil War, Susie King Taylor provided essential medical care to the 1st South Carolina Colored Infantry Regiment. Beyond her work in military camps, she became the first Black woman to self-publish her memoirs, detailing her experiences as an educator and a witness to the profound social shifts of the Reconstruction era.
Early Education and Childhood
Born into slavery in Liberty County, Georgia, in 1848, Susie King Taylor was a member of the Gullah people. Although Georgia law prohibited the education of enslaved individuals, she pursued secret instruction in Savannah. Under the guidance of free women of color, including Mrs. Woodhouse and Mathilda Beasley, she learned to read and write. She furthered her skills through clandestine lessons from a white playmate and the son of her grandmother's landlord, abilities she later used to create protective travel passes for other Black people.
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In April 1862, Taylor escaped to Union lines, eventually reaching St. Simon’s Island. Following a request from Commodore Goldsborough, she established the first free school for Black children in Georgia at the age of fourteen, eventually expanding her classes to include adults in the evenings. She joined the 33rd United States Colored Troops as a laundress, accompanying her husband, Sergeant Edward King. While officially enrolled in domestic support, her primary contribution involved teaching soldiers to read and writing haversacks, alongside serving as a nurse for the wounded.
Post-War Legacy
After the regiment mustered out in 1866, Taylor continued her commitment to education and social advocacy. She eventually moved to Boston, where she became a central figure in the Massachusetts Woman’s Relief Corps, specifically organizing Corps 67 in 1886. In 1902, she published her autobiography, Reminiscences of My Life in Camp with the 33rd United States Colored Troops, Late 1st S.C. Volunteers. She died in 1912 and was interred at Mount Hope Cemetery.
Fast facts
- Born: 1848, Liberty County
- Died: 1912, Boston
- Occupations: Writer, teacher, nurse
- Primary Work: Reminiscences of My Life in Camp (1902)
- Notable Role: First Black woman to publish memoirs
- Affiliation: 33rd United States Colored Troops
- Burial Place: Mount Hope Cemetery
- Award: Georgia Women of Achievement (2018)
Questions readers ask
What was Susie King Taylor's primary contribution to the Civil War?
She served as the first African-American nurse for the 1st South Carolina Colored Infantry Regiment while also teaching soldiers to read and write.
How did Taylor obtain an education despite legal restrictions?
She received an underground education in Savannah from free women of color and private tutors who provided secret lessons.