Samuel R. Russel

Samuel Rex Russel (June 10, 1839 - July 14, 1898) was a Corporal in Company B of the 25th Regiment of the Pennsylvania Infantry in the Civil War from April 18, 1861 – July 29, 1861 and discharged as a 1st Sergeant. He rejoined as a second lieutenant of Company C of the 96th Regiment on September 23, 1861. He was promoted to Captain of Company H of the 96th Regiment and was discharged on May 1, 1863.

A sketch of Captain Samuel R. Russel as it appeared in his obituary.
The man on the left with his hand on the canon is thought to be Samuel R. Russel since he was involved in its manufacturing.

Early life

Samuel R. Russel was born to Andrew Russel and Susan Nice Rex in Pottsville, Pennsylvania. He attended Pottsville public schools before attending an academy in Burlington, New Jersey.

Civil War Service

On April 12, 1861 Fort Sumter was fired on by southern rebels and President Abraham Lincoln called for 75,000 volunteers to serve three months to put down the rebellion. At this time, Samuel Russel was living in Pottsville, Pennsylvania and was a volunteer fireman with the Good Intent Fire Company. On April 17, 1861, Samueul Russel and the Washington Artillerists of Pottsville, Pennsylvania answered this call. Their troop was also joined with the National Light Infantry of Pottsville, Pennsylvania, the Ringgold Light Artillery of Reading, Pennsylvania, the Logan Guards of Lewistown, Pennsylvania and the Allen Infantry of Allentown, Pennsylvania. These troops would forever be known as the First Defenders. After 90 days the men returned to Pennsylvania and mustered out on July 24, 1861.[1] Samuel Russel rejoined the US Army as a second lieutenant on September 23, 1861 joining Company C of the 96th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. He was to eventually be promoted to Captain of Company H of the same regiment. Among others, Samuel was appointed to find a cannon. Upon being unsuccessful, the men melted brass and molded their own cannon. Since most were former firemen, they called themselves The Good Intent Light Artillery Company.[2]

Post-War Life

Samuel Russel invested in the oil business after the war speculating in the December Oil Company. The investment went bad and ruined Samuel Russel financially. He then served for more than a decade as a railroad mail agent before obtaining a job with the U.S. Mint. He was a Mint employee at the time of his death. Samuel Russel and his wife, Anna M. Doherty were the parent of 6 children.[3]

References

  1. ↑ Ward, Leo L. Letter of Curtis Clay Pollock, April 19, 1861, in Pottsville Republican, April 18–19, 1998: First Defenders Answered Lincoln’s Call 137 Years Ago.
  2. ↑ The Missing Canon of the Good Intent Artillery Co. C 96th P.V.I.
  3. ↑ Captain Samuel R. Russel Obituary, Pennsylvania Scrap Book Necrology, Volume 26, p. 039

External links

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