BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Union Captain Jonathan Taylor’s sword is home in Bethlehem.
The Bethlehem Area School District hosted a ribbon cutting Wednesday for the display of the sword at Nitschmann Middle School, the artifact’s new home.
Jonathan Taylor was born in Carbon County in 1842 and his family moved to Bethlehem in 1858. He went off to fight for the Union in the Civil War in 1862 and was later elected Captain of Company C, 129th Regiment Pa. At the time he was given a sword, which was inscribed with his name and his city and state of residence. He appeared to have lived to just around the age of 20 years old.
A monument to Jonathan Taylor’s Post 182 sits in a rose garden outside the middle school, which replaced the old Nitschmann Middle School. It was moved there in 1969 after living on Market Street since its dedication in 1887. Now his sword lives just feet away inside the school.
“The kids are very interested now,” said Ed Root of the Civil War Round Table of Eastern PA. “And they have a chance to learn more and be part of the history. That was the goal all along that you know, we get one kid that becomes a historian, it's all worthwhile.”
Earlier this year, the Grand Army of the Republic Civil War Museum of Philadelphia, Historic Bethlehem Museum & Sites, the Civil War Round Table of Eastern PA and the school district formed an alliance to bring the sword home.
Root said the journey to bring the sword home may have started in 2017 when Peter Maugle, a historian at Fredericksburg Military Park, was chatting with a tourist who said he owned Jonathan Taylor’s sword. Root said he met with the tourist in 2021. He said over time they convinced the owner eventually to sell them the sword.
“He really didn't want to let go of it,” he said. “He understood what we were trying to do. He understood that it was important for students to learn more about civil war and local history more than they would normally learn in the regular concept of a normal classroom.”
“History is made up of people. And it's important not to see it just as a thing, but that this was a part of somebody's life."Herb Kauffman with the GAR Civil War Museum
BASD Head of Curriculum Joseph Anthes said about $9,000 was raised through donations to buy the sword and bring it to Bethlehem. He said the sword is not just for display.
“The Civil War was a war that was fought over slavery that cost Captain Taylor his life,” Anthes said. “And today, although you know, we're not currently engaged in a civil war, there's certainly a need to focus on education and anti-racist policies and civic engagement in order to continue to combat racism in our world today.”
Maugle was a student at Nitschmann and a graduate of Liberty High School. Herb Kauffman with the GAR Civil War Museum said they agreed to take possession of the sword and it was decided to display the sword and other Civil War historical items — including a uniform, hat and letters — at the school.
Taylor fought in the Battle of Fredericksburg on Dec. 13th, 1862 when he was wounded. He hung on despite being severely wounded until succumbing 105 days later. Herb Kauffman with GAR Civil War Museum said correspondence had been found that shows that Taylor was holding his sword when he was shot.
Gary Weaver, who was also with the roundtable, showed up to the dedication wearing a Union soldier uniform. The Whitehall Township resident is a Civil War re-enactor and living historian. He said he came in a period outfit to represent Taylor.
“Anybody once they set their mind to it, they can do anything,” he said. “And he went to save his town, country and state and he went forth."
Kauffman said he hopes people see the sword and other artifacts as more than just things.
“They are people because history is made up of people,” he said. “And it's important not to see it just as a thing, but that this was a part of somebody's life, and then look into it. Who was that person? What did they do and why was this being exhibited?”
