Union Civil War General, Politician, Newspaper Editor, Poet. Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, he was educated in private schools and academies before moving to Logan County, Ohio. He had briefly studied law in 1846, but decided to begin his career with farming. When the Civil War began, he answered President Lincoln's call for volunteers and organized a ninety day regiment, the 13th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, for the Union Army. The regiment was formed in April and May of 1861 and Piatt was elected as Colonel. In September of 1861, adept at recruiting men, he organized the 34th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, more commonly known as the 1st Zouave Regiment of Ohio and also as the Piatt Zouaves. They were dressed in a mildly flamboyant fashion with tall fez caps adorned with tassels. Formed for three years' service, they were led by Colonel Piatt and sent to Western Virginia where they fought as mounted infantry. The regiment was used primarily for expedition and scouting duties until Piatt was promoted to Brigadier General of U.S. Volunteers on April 30, 1862. He commanded a brigade in the 2nd Division of the Fifth Corps and fought with distinction at the Second Battle of Bull Run. He was commended by General Pope as commanding the only brigade in the division to reach the front. During the Fredericksburg Campaign, he commanded a brigade in the 3rd Division of the 3rd Corps and suffered a severe back injury when he was thrown from his horse on December 13, 1862 forcing him to resign his commission. He returned to the Mac-a-Cheek valley of Logan County and eventually recovered enough to farm his land. An avid reader and writer of poetry, he penned some of his verse to be published in newspapers in Cincinnati and Logan County. Piatt later became editor of the Mac-a-Cheek Press. He was also a member of the Granger Movement that supported many reforms involving commerce. In 1879, he became affiliated with the National Political Party, also known as the Greenback Labor Party, and was nominated as a candidate for the office of Governor of Ohio. After losing the election, he resumed his work as a farmer. He died at his residence in 1908 when he was 86 years old. His brother, Donn Piatt, also an officer in the Union Army, was a well known journalist and author. Another brother, Jacob Piatt, was a Cincinnati City Councilman who was instrumental in establishing a city funded fire department.
Union Civil War General, Politician, Newspaper Editor, Poet. Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, he was educated in private schools and academies before moving to Logan County, Ohio. He had briefly studied law in 1846, but decided to begin his career with farming. When the Civil War began, he answered President Lincoln's call for volunteers and organized a ninety day regiment, the 13th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, for the Union Army. The regiment was formed in April and May of 1861 and Piatt was elected as Colonel. In September of 1861, adept at recruiting men, he organized the 34th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, more commonly known as the 1st Zouave Regiment of Ohio and also as the Piatt Zouaves. They were dressed in a mildly flamboyant fashion with tall fez caps adorned with tassels. Formed for three years' service, they were led by Colonel Piatt and sent to Western Virginia where they fought as mounted infantry. The regiment was used primarily for expedition and scouting duties until Piatt was promoted to Brigadier General of U.S. Volunteers on April 30, 1862. He commanded a brigade in the 2nd Division of the Fifth Corps and fought with distinction at the Second Battle of Bull Run. He was commended by General Pope as commanding the only brigade in the division to reach the front. During the Fredericksburg Campaign, he commanded a brigade in the 3rd Division of the 3rd Corps and suffered a severe back injury when he was thrown from his horse on December 13, 1862 forcing him to resign his commission. He returned to the Mac-a-Cheek valley of Logan County and eventually recovered enough to farm his land. An avid reader and writer of poetry, he penned some of his verse to be published in newspapers in Cincinnati and Logan County. Piatt later became editor of the Mac-a-Cheek Press. He was also a member of the Granger Movement that supported many reforms involving commerce. In 1879, he became affiliated with the National Political Party, also known as the Greenback Labor Party, and was nominated as a candidate for the office of Governor of Ohio. After losing the election, he resumed his work as a farmer. He died at his residence in 1908 when he was 86 years old. His brother, Donn Piatt, also an officer in the Union Army, was a well known journalist and author. Another brother, Jacob Piatt, was a Cincinnati City Councilman who was instrumental in establishing a city funded fire department.
Bio by: K Guy
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