Elijah D. Taft facts for kids

Elijah Daniel Taft (1819-1915) was an important artillery officer in the Union Army during the American Civil War. He led groups of cannons, called batteries, and fought in many major battles.

Early Life and Career

Elijah Taft was born in Mamaroneck, New York on April 28, 1819. He worked as a carpenter in Brooklyn, New York. Taft joined a New York militia unit, which was like a local defense group. He became a captain by 1855. Around the same time, Taft tried to get elected to political office in Brooklyn. He was nominated by two political groups, the Know Nothing Party and the Whig Party (United States). He also tried to join William Walker (filibuster), who was a leader in Nicaragua, because of his long experience in the militia.

Serving in the Civil War

The 5th New York Independent Light Artillery was formed in Brooklyn, New York on August 15, 1861. Elijah Taft was chosen to be its commander, becoming a captain. His battery was meant to work with a group called the Excelsior Brigade. The 5th New York Battery was also sometimes called the First Excelsior Light Artillery.

The battery officially joined the federal army on November 8, 1861. They left for Washington, D.C. eight days later and stayed there until March 1862. Then, Taft's gunners went to join the Peninsula Campaign led by General George B. McClellan. They were part of the Reserve Artillery, which was a special group of cannons, under Colonel Henry Jackson Hunt.

At first, the battery's equipment had not arrived. So, Captain Taft and his men helped other artillery units. They fought at the Battle of Yorktown, the Battle of Seven Pines, and the Seven Days Battles.

In August 1862, the 5th New York sailed to Falmouth, Virginia. Now fully equipped, they joined the Reserve Artillery with the V Corps. The battery fought at the Battle of Antietam. They fired their cannons from two different spots against Confederate guns across Antietam Creek.

Taft's battery then served at the Battle of Fredericksburg. They were positioned overlooking the Rappahannock River. Their job was to support the Union army as it crossed the river. In May 1863, during the Chancellorsville campaign, his battery again fired across the river. This time, they covered the crossing of the VI Corps at the start of the Second Battle of Fredericksburg.

After the Chancellorsville campaign, the Reserve Artillery was reorganized. Taft was given command of the Second Volunteers brigade, which included four different artillery batteries. During the Gettysburg Campaign, two of these batteries stayed behind. Captain Taft led the other two to the Gettysburg battlefield.

Gettysburg Battle

At the Battle of Gettysburg, Taft's batteries arrived on July 2, 1863. They were kept ready until they moved into position. The 5th New York was sent to the Evergreen Cemetery around 3:30 P.M. This was part of General Hunt's plan to protect Cemetery Hill from Confederate attacks. The cannons fired from 4:00 P.M. until dark. Four of their guns fired at Confederate batteries on Benner's Hill. Two other guns fired to the west.

The battery stayed in place on the morning of July 3. One of their cannons on Baltimore Pike broke, but the other three continued to fire against Confederate guns on Seminary Ridge. They remained in that spot until the battle ended. The 5th New York lost one soldier killed and two wounded. The battery's monument stands in the Gettysburg National Cemetery. [1]

Later War Service

After Gettysburg, Taft continued to command his artillery brigade in the Bristoe Campaign and at the Battle of Mine Run. In 1864, Major John A. Tompkins took command of the brigade. Taft then returned to leading his own battery.

His battery fought in the Battle of the Wilderness and the Battle of Spotsylvania. They were part of the Reserve Artillery. Later, they were assigned to the V Corps at the Battle of Cold Harbor. On May 19, 1864, the 5th New York was sent to defend Washington, D.C. They were part of the XXII Corps in July 1864 and later the VI Corps artillery brigade in August.

Next, Taft and his cannons were sent to serve in the Union Army of the Shenandoah under General Philip H. Sheridan. In the Valley Campaigns of 1864, Taft's battery was part of the XIX Corps. He commanded the Artillery Reserve for this corps at the Third Battle of Winchester and the Battle of Fisher's Hill. When Major Albert W. Bradbury took over the Reserve, Taft went back to commanding his battery. The battery fought at the Battle of Cedar Creek under Captain Taft.

After this, the battery remained in the Department of West Virginia, with Taft still in command. The 5th New York was officially discharged from service on July 16, 1865, near New York City. Taft was given the honorary rank of major, effective March 13, 1865.

After the War

Taft applied for a pension in 1886. [2] He died on March 2, 1915, at the home of his grandson, Edgar G. Taft, in Freeport on Long Island.