Chatham County GaArchives Biographies.....Taggart, Grantham I. 1828 - 1905 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 October 15, 2004, 8:56 am Author: William Harden p. 676-678 GRANTHAM I. TAGGART. In recalling the men who have contributed to the business prosperity of Savannah, Georgia, and whose names belong to the roll of men of distinction in military life, the late Col. Grantham I. Taggart claims prominent notice. His birth took place on October 17, 1828, at Northumberland, Pennsylvania, and his death occurred October 24, 1905, at Savannah, Georgia. His father was James Taggart and his grandfather was Capt. Joseph Israel Taggart who commnded a Delaware contingent in the Continental army in the Revolutionary war and was imprisoned on the British frigate, Roebuck. In the schools of Northumberland, Pennsylvania, Grantham I. Taggart obtained his education and when he was sixteen years of age his practical father decided that his services could be profitably utilized in his grocery store. That the youth had other ambitions may be judged by the fact that he continued his studies at night in order to qualify himself for teaching school and in fact, taught two terms of school just across the Susquehanna river from his native place. Prior to this, however, he had had his first taste of military life, in 1845 enlisting as a volunteer for service in the Mexican war, and, although young, had been made second lieutenant of the Sixth Company, First Battalion, Third Regiment, Pennsylvania National Guard. Whether it was the times in which he lived that aroused his military spirit and later developed his powers, or, whether they were an inheritance from his Revolutionary grandfather, may not be determined, but it is certain that after the Third Regiment was sent back home on account of the cessation of the war, he continued in close touch with military matters and as a member of the state militia, studied tactics and the science of war. In 1853 he left his native place and went to Philadelphia and there engaged as a clerk in several retail stores on Market street and later, in partnership with two other young men, embarked in the hat, cap and fur business in that city, and a satisfactory business was being done when the Civil war broke out. He joined the first volunteer company enlisted at Philadelphia and through the interest of Hon. Simon Cameron, then secretary of war, in President Lincoln's cabinet, who was a friend of his father, the young man was commissioned second lieutenant, and he continued in the Federal army until the close of hostilities between the North and South. A record is here presented of the battles in which he participated: 1861, Bull Run and Fredericksburg; 1862, Corinth, Island No. 10, New Madrid; 1863, Arkansas Post, Baker's Creek, Big Black River, Farmington, Grand Gulf, Jackson, Siege of Vicksburg, Port Gibson and Raymond; 1864, prior to accompanying General Sherman's forces on its march to the sea, Long Bridge, Roanoke Station, Reams Station, Siege of Petersburg, Spottsylvania Court House, Todd's Tavern, White Oak Swamp, Wilderness, Beaver Dam, Yellow Tavern, Meadow Bridge, Mechamp's Creek, Ashland and Hawk's Shop. Colonel Taggart's connection with the history of Savannah began in the fall of 1864, when, as chief commissary of subsistence, under Gen. John A. McClernand, with the rank of captain, he entered Savannah and established headquarters for his department opposite the residence on Bull street, that was the headquarters of the commander, General Sherman. His services, however, were never strictly confined to the commissary department while chief in command, for he was such an efficient all-around soldier that he was needed in many departments. During the siege of Vicksburg he served under General Grant with the rank of lieutenant-colonel. At various times during the war, Colonel Taggart was detailed to conduct schools of instruction for officers in saber practice, being a skilled swordsman. He received many medals for conspicuous bravery in battle and efficiency on scouting expeditions, while, in the files of his letters and the documents preserved by his family, there are included many testimonials as to his ability as a soldier and officer as well as expressions of the highest personal regard, a number of these being from General .Grant, having enjoyed the confidence and friendship of the great commander for many years. Under date of August 23, 1864, Brig.-Gen. John H. Wilson wrote to Gov. Andrew G. Curtin, of Pennsylvania, as follows: "Colonel Taggart is well qualified to command a regiment and has seen varied, active and honorable service in all parts of the country. I have known him from the beginning of the Vicksburg campaign, and have always found him at his post.” Under date of June 17, 1863, the following letter was written by Maj. Gen. John A. McClernand, from the headquarters of the Thirteenth Army Corps, near Vicksburg: "Permit me to recommend Lieutenant-Colonel Taggart, chief commissary of the Thirteenth Army Corps, for promotion in the line. He is an officer of remarkable activity, zeal and aptitude. I believe he would distinguish himself in command. He has afforded valuable services to me, not only in his own department, but in general service on several battlefields. He will fulfill every just expectation. I hope you will be pleased to give him a wider and more conspicuous field for the display of his talents." This letter was directed to President Lincoln. In January, 1866, Colonel Taggart returned to Savannah, his previous experiences during war convincing him that here might be found an ideal home during peace. He established the coal business which has been continued by the family ever since, in his later years his two sons, Grantham I. and John P., under the firm name of Taggart & Company, assuming charge. This is one of the largest coal firms on the South Atlantic coast, being wholesale shippers. The firm are coaling contractors for steamships and they have English representatives in the firm of Hull, Blythe & Company, of London. With great foresight and judgment they are managing the coal situation precipitated by the recent conditions brought about by coal troubles in England, Wales and Germany. Colonel Taggart, late in 1866, embarked in a theatrical enterprise, in partnership with a brother of the late Fanny Davenport, taking over the management of the old Savannah theater and producing excellent plays presenting such noted people as Fanny Davenport and Joseph Jefferson. Although this venture was not a success it was not so much for want of business foresight as on account of the temper of the times and a lack of financial stability among people who formerly had been of independent fortune. It was some years later before complete confidence was restored and old-time conditions again prevailed. After his retirement from the theatrical business, Colonel Taggart devoted himself exclusively to his coal interests. Colonel Taggart married Miss Martha Ethel Kirksey, who was born at Tallahassee, Florida, and died at Savannah, in 1903. Their two sons, as mentioned above, are prominent business men of this city and in addition to his coal connections, Grantham I. Taggart is also president of the Taggart-Delph Lumber Company of Savannah. While a resident of Pennsylvania, Colonel Taggart became identified with the Masonic fraternity and subsequently served as district deputy grand master of that state. Additional Comments: A HISTORY OF SAVANNAH AND SOUTH GEORGIA BY WILLIAM HARDEN VOLUME I ILLUSTRATED THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY CHICAGO AND NEW YORK 1913 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/chatham/bios/gbs216taggart.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/gafiles/ File size: 8.0 Kb