Elijah Daniel Taft (1819-1915) was an artillery officer in the Union Army during the American Civil War.
Taft entered a New York militia unit, rising to the rank of captain by the year 1855.
[2] Taft sought a commission with William Walker, the filibuster president of Nicaragua ca.
Fully equipped, the battery joined the Reserve Artillery attached to V Corps under Col William Hays, The battery was engaged at the Battle of Antietam, firing from two different positions against Confederate guns on the other side of Antietam Creek, one near the Middle Bridge and one farther to the left.
Taft's battery next served in the Reserve Artillery under Col Hays at the Battle of Fredericksburg.
In the Chancellorsville campaign he served under Cpt William M. Graham and BG Robert O. Tyler.
In May 1863 his battery fired across the river not far from where it was positioned in December to cover the crossing of VI Corps at the beginning of the Second Battle of Fredericksburg.
At the Battle of Gettysburg, Taft's batteries arrived on July 2 about 10:30 A.M. and were held in reserve until they moved into position.
This was part of Gen Hunt's effort to cover all Confederate angles of approach to Cemetery Hill.
Later it retired and on July 3 formed line under Ltc Freeman McGilvery on the left of II Corps on Cemetery Ridge.
[3] After Gettysburg, Taft command his reserve artillery brigade in the Bristoe Campaign and at the Battle of Mine Run.
[4] Nothing is recorded about his wife and children, but he died at the home of his grandson Edgar G. Taft at Freeport on Long Island on March 2, 1915.