A Pennsylvania Soldier at Libby Prison

[wartimecollectables.com]

Another of my favorite groups! The tongue image showing unit designation under the brim is great!

      Luther Bradford Sampson was born in 1841 and enlisted at age 20 in October of 1861 as a Private in Co. K of the "Proud 84th" Pennsylvania 84th Volunteer Infantry. He would have first 'seen the elephant ' with his regiment at Bath January 4, 1862 against "Stonewall" Jackson's forces and the retreat to Cumberland, Maryland. Promotions came quickly and he was soon a Sergeant of his Company. The 84th fought in numerous engagements across Virginia. Then, when in advance with his company as skirmishers on the night of August 30, 1862, at the Second Battle of Bull Run (Manassas), they encountered Jackson's brigade and were captured. He soon found himself enroute to Libby Prison in Richmond, Virginia. Paroled in exchange, September 1862, he returned to his regiment as the Battle of Fredericksburg closed. Commissioned an officer in Co. F in 1863, Sampson was to serve in the major engagements of the regiment including Chancellorsville and Gettysburg and led his company into battle at Winchester and Port Republic. Mustered out in December of 1864, Sampson eventually became Chief of Police in Rochester, NY. He was a member of the John C. Sampson Post, Grand Army of the Republic, which was named for his brother who was killed at Petersburg. He was also a member of the National Association of Ex-Prisoners of War, and a Mason. Captain Luther Sampson died in January 1923.

     Luther Sampson left to history a legacy of his service. He is shown in his enlisted shell jacket with musket in his wartime tintype. The forage cap bears the unit designation of "K 84" on the top and interestingly also in the underside of the brim, flanked by Harder hat insignia. Veterans badges, as he would have proudly worn at reunions, holidays and parades, include his GAR membership medal. His members badge for the Association of Ex-PoWs features a PENNSYLVANIA top bar and LIBBY prison clasp. Also shown is his two-piece veterans badge, in the lozenge shape of the 3rd Corps.

 

[skypilot6670]

Andrew what a fantastic group and his history is top shelf. The Hardee pins on his hat brim are so classic , l don’t think I’ve ever seen any thing like that before. Imaging all he went thru and then loosing a brother . Then Chief of Police for Rochester during a time of great growth.  You have done it again , great stuff.    Thanks for posting     Fraternally Yours Mike

[mdk0911]

super group - dripping with great history - well done!!

[M24 Chaffee]

I can see why that’s one of your favorites! I’ve never seen badges on the brim of a cap like that. It’s probably added decoration for the photo but I wonder if he could have possibly added them in honor of friends/comrades lost during the war? The photo was probably taken before he lost his brother at Petersburg. Amazing group!

 

Frank 

[wartimecollectables.com]

2 hours ago, M24 Chaffee said:

I can see why that’s one of your favorites! I’ve never seen badges on the brim of a cap like that. It’s probably added decoration for the photo but I wonder if he could have possibly added them in honor of friends/comrades lost during the war? The photo was probably taken before he lost his brother at Petersburg. Amazing group!

 

Frank 

Could be!  A friend who saw the tintype commented "If he wore that in battle, no wonder he got captured, like wearing headlights!"

[KurtA]

Great group.  Good chance that was a humped-up cap that Luther bought on Ebay to wear for his photo.

That LIbby medal is really nice.

 

[wartimecollectables.com]

LoL!  I bet it impressed the ladies!

[beerdragon54]

Wonderful group and good to see some interest in civil war on the forum. I need to share some of mine if forum interest is there.


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[wartimecollectables.com]

PLEASE DO!  Always great to see!

[USCapturephotos]

What an interesting group! Thanks for sharing.

Paul

[katieony]

Andrew,

 

Another fabulous and historic group...thanks for posting!

 

Michael