Private Granville Taitt
Pvt. Granville Taitt
Private Granville Taitt was born c. 1846 in Franklin County, Virginia, and enlisted on Sept. 7, 1864, in Fulton, Calloway County, Missouri, with his brother, Josiah Taitt. He reported at the time that he was enslaved by George Law, a citizen of Calloway County. Granville Taitt was described as 18 years old, 5’4” tall with black complexion, black eyes, and black hair. His occupation was recorded as farmer, and he enlisted for three years.
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Taitt served in the 18th Regiment, United States Colored Infantry, Company H, and began his service stationed in Missouri until November 1864. From there, he was ordered to Nashville, Tennesse and Paducah, Kentucky, then back to Nashville where the regiment was engaged in the Battle of Nashville December 15 and 16, pursuing Confederate General John Bell Hood to the Tennessee River. The Union was victorious and would continue to hold the city of Nashville.
There were 13,000 USCT troops at the Battle of Nashville, the largest number of black soldiers on any battlefield until that point in the Civil War, composed of the 12th, 13th, 14th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 44th, and 100th regiments. The USCT played a crucial role in the Union Victory. The Union Army won the Battle of Nashville and the USCT troops’ bravery was acknowledged and commended by those that served with them.
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Late in December, the 18th USCT travelled, probably by rail, to Bridgeport, Alabama, where Granville’s brother Josiah passed away due to pneumonia. On Dec 29, Granville collected and “signed” or made his mark on a receipt for Josiah’s belongings. These included “one great coat, one blouse, one pair of trousers, 2 pairs of flannel drawers, one flannel shirt, one pair of shoes, one pair of socks, one wool blanket, one rubber blanket and $20 in notes.” Josiah had paid $38 for these items, deducted from $100 (of the $300 promised bounty) paid to him when he mustered in.
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Pvt Granville Taitt and the 18th USCT remained at Bridgeport, Alabama, on railroad guard duty until February 1865. The regiment was called into action at Elrod’s Tanyard in January 1865, near Chattanooga, Tennessee. Like his brother, and many others, Granville Taitt died of pneumonia. He passed away in the regimental hospital on May 30, 1865, and was buried at the Chattanooga National Cemetery in Section J Site 3525.
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Contributors: Brynna Wert, Sarah Plummer, and Cathie Cummins
