Josiah Tatnall III, born on November 9, 1795, in Savannah, Georgia, was a naval officer who left a lasting mark on both the United States Navy and the Confederate Navy. Coming from a prominent family with deep ties to Georgia his upbringing was steeped in the values of honor, duty, and loyalty. These qualities would go to define his career on the high seas.
Tatnall began his extensive naval career in January of 1812 as a Midshipman. That year found himself facing action in battle in the War of 1812 and again in the Barbary campaign that followed it. As the years passed by he moved up in the ranks eventually being promoted to Commander in 1838 and then Captain in the 1850s. The bravery he showed in combat and his strategic thinking earned him a very distinguished reputation, leading to a long and eventful career that spanned multiple conflicts. However, his sense of duty to his home state of Georgia and the South played a central role in his decisions later in life, especially during the American Civil War.
When the Civil War erupted in 1861, Tatnall faced a difficult choice. His loyalty to the United States Navy was strong, but his allegiance to his home state of Georgia and the Confederacy ultimately took precedence. Tatnall resigned from the U.S. Navy and joined the Confederate Navy, where he commanded the ironclad CSS Virginia during the famous Battle of Hampton Roads. His leadership during this battle earned him recognition, even though the Confederacy faced overwhelming odds.
In spite of all his many achievements and victories, Tatnall is perhaps best remembered for his famous remark, “Blood is thicker than water,” made during a diplomatic incident in 1859 when he came to the aid of a British fleet during the Second Opium War. This phrase, meant to express his belief in shared heritage and loyalty, became a reflection of his deeply ingrained Southern values and his belief in standing by his people.
The legacy created by Tattnall is intertwined with both the history of Savannah and the broader narrative of the Civil War. He was a man torn between two allegiances, but his commitment to Georgia and the Confederacy defined his later years. After the war, he returned to Savannah, where he lived out the remainder of his life in relative obscurity, passing away on June 14, 1871.
For those interested in exploring the lives of historical figures who shaped Savannah, a visit to Wise Guys Tours can offer a deeper look at people like Josiah Tatnall III, whose story is a testament to loyalty, duty, and the complex choices faced during the Civil War and in life as a whole.