The Poor Little Rich Boy

A Fortune Squandered, Lives Cut Short

James H. Tallman grew up in a family once among the wealthiest in Maine. His grandfather amassed a fortune in land, trading, and shipbuilding, but by the time the American Civil War started, the Tallman family’s wealth was falling apart because of poor decisions made by his reckless, careless father.

Yet James Tallman used his family’s connections and prestige to climb the military hierarchy rapidly, rising from a private to a major in less than two years. But James proved to be as reckless and careless as his father.

Which is why he was court-martialed, not once, but twice. Join us for an episode that explores the rise and downfall of one of Bath, Maine’s most influential families.

Episode 16 premieres September 16. Listen to the trailer today.

Through diaries, pension files, military records, newspapers, and family history, Company D reconstructs the lives of Civil War soldiers nearly forgotten by time. Listeners have called Company D “gripping history” and “microhistory at its best.”

LISTEN TO THE EPISODE 16 TRAILER

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