Gustav Tafel facts for kids
Gustav Tafel (born October 13, 1830 – died November 12, 1908) was an important person in American history. He was born in Germany but became a colonel in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Later, he served as the mayor of Cincinnati, Ohio, from 1897 to 1900.
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Gustav Tafel: Soldier and Mayor
From Germany to Cincinnati
Gustav Tafel was born in Munich, Germany. He was one of the "Forty-Eighters". This was a group of people who left Germany after the Revolution of 1848, seeking more freedom.
Tafel moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1848. He first worked as a printer. Later, he became a newspaper editor. Cincinnati had many German people and German-language newspapers at that time. Gustav Tafel quickly became a leader in this community. He lived in a house at 14th and Walnut streets for many years.
Serving in the Civil War
When the American Civil War began, Ohio's governor asked for volunteers. Gustav Tafel joined the army with a group from Cincinnati called the "Turnverein". He became a lieutenant in Company A of the 9th Ohio Infantry Regiment. This regiment was mostly made up of German-Americans.
In June 1862, Tafel was given command of the 106th Ohio Infantry. This unit was also known as "The 4th German Regiment". Because the unit was not fully formed, Tafel's rank was changed to lieutenant colonel.
His unit faced a tough challenge at the Battle of Hartsville in December 1862. The 106th Ohio was captured by Confederate General John Hunt Morgan's forces.
Rebuilding and Fighting Guerrillas
After being captured, the 106th Ohio was sent to Columbus, Ohio. They were formally exchanged in January 1863. Tafel helped reorganize the unit. In March, they moved to Lexington, Kentucky. Their mission was to stop guerrilla activity in Owen County, Kentucky. Tafel successfully ended these problems. He earned praise for his soldiers' good behavior.
The regiment then moved to Nashville, Tennessee. They guarded the Louisville and Nashville Railroad from Nashville to the Kentucky border. The guerrillas in the area suffered greatly from the 106th's surprise attacks. Their leader, Captain Ellis Harper, even offered a reward for Tafel's head! Harper's group was badly defeated in December 1863.
Later War Service
The 106th Ohio became very skilled under Tafel's leadership. In May 1864, they were sent to guard Bridgeport, Alabama. There, they continued to show their scouting abilities. They hunted down a local guerrilla group led by Rebel Captain Caperton. Caperton was killed by Tafel's scouts in June. By October 1864, the 106th finally had its full number of soldiers.
In the winter of 1864, Tafel and the 106th Ohio were cut off from the main Union army. This happened when Confederate Lt. Gen. John Bell Hood brought his army into Tennessee. In January 1865, the 106th fought one of its last battles at Mud Creek, Tennessee. They faced Confederate cavalry forces.
In June, the regiment was ordered back to Nashville to be officially discharged. This happened on June 29, 1865. Gustav Tafel's rank was never officially upgraded to a full colonel.
Becoming Mayor of Cincinnati
After the war, Gustav Tafel became involved in politics. He was a member of the Democratic Party. He served three years as the mayor of Cincinnati around the turn of the 20th century.
Gustav Tafel died in Cincinnati on November 12, 1908. He is buried in Spring Grove Cemetery.
