Samuel Harriman facts for kids
Samuel Harriman was an important soldier during the American Civil War. He was a colonel in the Union Army, which was the army of the northern states. Later, he was given an honorary title of brevet brigadier general in 1866. He lived from October 1826 to August 25, 1897.
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Samuel Harriman's Early Life and Family
Samuel Harriman was born in a town called Orland, Maine in October 1826. When he was older, he took part in the California Gold Rush, where many people went to find gold. After that, Samuel and his brother helped start a town called Somerset, Wisconsin in 1856.
Samuel Harriman married a woman named Fidelia Holbrook Fanning. They had two children together: Charles Fanning Harriman and Mary Frances Harriman. Mary Frances later married a man named Cordenio Severance. Samuel Harriman passed away on August 25, 1897, in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
Samuel Harriman's Military Career
Samuel Harriman joined the Union Army in 1862, during the American Civil War. He was first assigned to the 30th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment. This was a group of soldiers from Wisconsin who volunteered to fight.
In 1864, Samuel Harriman helped create another group of soldiers, the 37th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment. Because of his leadership, he was promoted to colonel and put in charge of this new regiment. His regiment later joined a larger group of soldiers called the IX Corps. This corps was led by Ambrose Burnside, who later became a U.S. Senator.
Fighting in Important Battles
Colonel Harriman and his 37th Regiment took part in some very important battles. One of these was the Battle of the Crater, which happened during the Siege of Petersburg. These were major events in the Civil War. Samuel Harriman finished his service as a volunteer soldier on July 17, 1865.
Becoming a General
On January 13, 1866, the President at the time, Andrew Johnson, nominated Samuel Harriman for a special honor. He was nominated to be a brevet brigadier general of volunteers. A "brevet" rank is an honorary promotion, meaning he was recognized for his bravery and service, even though he didn't command a general's full duties after the war. The United States Senate confirmed this appointment on March 12, 1866. This honor was given to him for his actions starting from April 2, 1865.
