A wise horse, Old Sam, who had served in the Civil War, now has plaques and a grave marker in Coldwater, Michigan where he’d been born. Old Sam’s story is one of dedication and bravery. How did he become a Civil War hero? Where is Old Sam buried? His burial is a captivating story, too! Come along with Chuck, my husband, and I as we learn Old Sam’s legend!

Old Sam – The Early Years

Sam was born on April 4, 1849 at The Abraham Fisk 160 acre horse farm. O.B. Clark and Henry Clay Lewis co-owned this famous breeding business and training facility. Old Sam had been a strong, smart and gentle draft horse bred for hefty work. His occupation had been pulling a streetcar from the train station to the Southern Michigan Hotel, owned by Mr. Loomis. Old Sam had been a dependable, friendly sight in the community of Coldwater, Michigan.

Old Sam’s stall and pasture had been located behind the Southern Michigan Hotel. Cyrus Orlando Loomis, the hotel owner’s son, had worked in the these stables with Old Sam. Cyrus Orlando Loomis had also been a prominent artillery militia volunteer.

Old Sam – Put Into Service

As northern and southern states’ tensions loomed, Gov. Austin Blair assigned Cyrus Orlando Loomis to command the militia squad which was given the name, “The Loomis Battery.” Right away Cyrus enlisted Old Sam for duty. Cyrus knew that Old Sam was used to screeching whistles and breaks from trains as well as the crowded chaos of the streets. The Loomis Battery would be Old Sam’s band of brothers.

Training

Old Sam had been one of two hundred horses from Coldwater, Michigan who had been donated to the war effort. Most horses had aged three to five years where Old Sam had already celebrated his twelfth birthday when he’d been drafted into service.

After being trained at Fort Wayne in Detroit, the militia had been sent into battle. On May 28, 1861 Old Sam had been assigned to pull Parrot Gun #1.

Civil War Battles

Over the next four years Old Sam had served in at least twelve battles. Thirty-three of Old Sam’s stall mates had fallen in Perrysville, KY. Shortly after, another forty harnessed horses had made their last stand at Stone River, TN.

The militia men had grown fond of Old Sam who had a sense of where the gun needed to be. On their way to Bowling Green, KY, the troop accomplished the amazing feat by rushing four miles in just twenty minutes. Old Sam had “crested Baker’s Hill and swung the gun into position.”

These men had graciously shared their rations of hard tack and sow belly with their dedicated counterpart. These extra calories helped sustain Old Sam during the extended hikes and battles that had lasted for days.

Even with all the losses already endured, Chickamauga had been recorded as their worst battle. Many men and more than fifty horses had sadly expired. Five of the six guns had been captured by the enemy. Only Old Sam had knowingly pulled his Parrot cannon back into a safe position, saving it from beings stolen.

Even with constant hunger and painful injuries, Old Sam had persevered with his duties! The Loomis Battery had suffered a total of thirty-seven militia men giving their ultimate sacrifice along with 199 horses. Old Sam was the only surviving horse from their troop. On July 28, 1865, 158 years ago, the Loomis Battery had been decommissioned.

Old Sam Comes Home

Old Sam had arrived home at the Coldwater train station where hundreds of people and a band had lined the streets. According to the newspaper account, when the box car door had opened, “Sam’s ears perked up as he seemed to recognize his surroundings. The crowd waited with bated breath wondering what Sam would do. As he approached Division and Chicago Streets, the old war veteran was turned loose to test his memory. He looked down Chicago Street as if to get his bearings and then turning the opposite direction, walked leisurely up the street until he came opposite the hotel. Then with a nicker of pure delight, he whirled on his heels, whisked down the street and down the alley to the old barn and into his own stall. Old Sam was home again and he knew it.”

Memorial Day Parades and Reunions

Old Sam spent his days in the green pastures at Fisk Stables. He proudly flared his nostrils when reenacting the firing of his cannon at The Loomis Battery reunions. At Memorial Day parades, which began on May 30, 1868, Old Sam would plod proudly down the center of the street. He was accompanied by men dressed in blue to honor those militia members who hadn’t made it home.

Old Sam’s Passing

At 27 years old, Old Sam’s strong, yet tender heart stopped beating. The chill in the air on November 8, 1876 ran through the men of The Loomis Battery as they realized that their devoted companion wouldn’t be permitted to be buried next to his fallen comrades in Oak Grove Cemetery.

A Plan For A Secret Burial

The militia group had gathered at Henry and Lucia Clark’s home on Division Street. How could they give their loyal friend a proper burial? The men felt that Old Sam deserved full military honors after faithfully serving four years in “The War Between The States.”

The Oak Grove Cemetery sexton conveniently informed the clan that both he and Sheriff Culp would be out of town on business. ‘Only a night watchman would be on duty.’

Lucia Clark later learned how the men had carried out their secret plan under the dim light of a quarter moon. First a small group had dug an unauthorized grave in the Oak Grove Cemetery. Simultaneously, one person had created a diversion by releasing Floyd Brown’s cows. Rounding up the herd had sufficiently stolen the attention of the on-duty night watchman and as well as several area farmers.

Then, using a pair of draft horses the men crept quietly with Old Sam in a wheeled cart. They traversed two miles along Chicago Road from the Fisk Farm to the Oak Grove Cemetery. This silent and slow parade gave the diggers time to secure a large enough grave in the not-yet-frozen ground.

Next with great care the men laid blankets over the fresh soil and gently rolled Old Sam into his final resting place. After filling in the grave they spread dried leaves over the black dirt. Then with their heads hung low and tears in their eyes one man fired the final salute and a bugler played taps.

A Marker Now Stands Over This Secret Grave

Settled next to his Civil War comrades Old Sam’s previously secret grave, is now proudly marked with a proper gravestone. The flowers and coins left on top of his stone let us know that we will all remember Old Sam and the 3.5 million horses and mules who had died serving in The Civil War.

Other Markers For Sam

Recalling our country’s turbulent past gives me pause for the current divisions within our nation. I hold concern that we have yet to learn from our mistakes. However, seeing these solemn displays for Old Sam brings me hope that we will remember sacrifices that have been made in our history and move forward in a positive direction. Old Sam served his men and his country well.

Resources:

Michigan Day By Day Article

Old Sam’s Facebook Page