Samuel Henry Starr (July 31, 1810 – November 23, 1891) was a career United States Army officer, regimental commander and prisoner of war. A collection of his letters provide a rare view of military life, the War with Mexico, Indian conflicts, the Civil War, his fall from grace, recovery and post Civil War service. Despite his rough demeanor he was a religious man and reflective of the times he served.
He was known for his discipline and blistering tongue-lashings directed at friend and foe who performed unsuitably in his eyes. In the later part of 1862, he saber-slapped (hit with the flat edge of his saber) an inattentive camp guard and loudly declared the soldier an "SOB." Because of his "abuse of the guard," he resigned his rank of colonel, his command and subjected himself to a rigorous religious revival then an active recruiting effort.
Forgiven by the press and apparently by the Army, he rejoined the active military as a major in command of a cavalry regiment. He commanded the Cavalry Reserve Brigade briefly, but was denied the promotion and command when another officer his junior took command. He is noted for his July 1863 actions at the Battle of Fairfield where his small cavalry regiment took on two crack Confederate Cavalry Regiments reinforced with light artillery. He was severely wounded in the melee and his right arm had to be amputated while he was a prisoner of war. "Old Paddy" was exchanged on parole in September of that year.
After a period of recovery he resumed his career to command the Cavalry Remount Camp in Maryland. Later he was a Special Inspector of Cavalry for the armies of the Potomac and the James where his insistence of doing things right contributed to a higher degree of quality and professionalism. During the post war period he served in Texas then retired as a full colonel on December 15, 1870.
Early years Samuel Starr was born July 31, 1810, in Leyden, New York. He was the son of Benjamin John or Henry Starr (1779–1852) and Achsah Maria Ely (1787–1864). Samuel had eights siblings. Starr married Eliza Kurtz (1822–1900) from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on July 21, 1841, in Leyden Township, Lewis County, New York and had several children. This site cites: A History Of The Starr Family 1879 By Burgis Pratt Starr pp. 209–211.
Achsah Catharine (Kate) Starr (about 1843–?) in New York state. Kurtz Henry Starr (1846–1847) in New York. Annie Martha Starr (about 1849–?) in Austin, Texas. Jo Ursula Starr (about 1851–?) in Fort Graham, Texas. Samuel Benjamin Starr (1857–?) in Burlington, New Jersey.
Military service
Samuel Starr enlisted in the United States Army as a private on October 27, 1832, in Company G, 4th United States Artillery to October 26, 1837. On June 23, 1846, he enlisted with Company A, an engineer battalion during the Mexican War reaching the rank of sergeant and given a brevet promotion to second lieutenant on June 28, 1848, and he was discharged on July 13, 1848. He sent letters to his wife's home from Matamoros, Mexico in 1846. Other letters were sent from Victoria, Mexico dated January 12, 1847, and two from Tampico dated February 9 and 22, 1847. His nickname was "Paddy" reflective of his Irish ancestry.
In one letter dated March 14, 1847, from an engineer camp near the city of Veracruz, he mentions some skirmishing near San Juan. His letter of March 30, mentions the surrender of Veracruz to American forces. Another letter dated April 22, 1847, describes following Mexican General Santa Anna to Xalapa. The letter was written from the "Castle of Perote."
Other letters describe disease in the army (July 7), skirmishes during the approach to Mexico City and the Battle of Contreras (August 30). From the Halls of Montezuma (September 23) he provides a description of the Battle of Molino del Rey and the suffering of the casualties after that action. In many letters he paints a brief portrait of his life, the hardships of his men, the civilians and the defeated Mexican forces. In his last letter from "The City of Mexico" or Mexico City, his wife Eliza now resides in Rome, New York (May 8, 1848).
He was appointed brevet second lieutenant, 2nd Dragoons, in June 1848. On July 13, 1848, he is commissioned a second lieutenant in the Regular Army. He sends a letter to his wife from West Point, Texas, in Fayette County on June 25, 1848, where he mentions his promotion as a passing comment. From a camp at Towash Village (April 2, 1849), San Antonio May 20) he encourages his wife to consider coming to Texas. On November 10, 1851, he is promoted to first lieutenant. By January 18, 1852, his wife is at Fort Gates, Texas, while he is at Fort Mason.
Then there is a strange letter (August 2, 1853) that is regarding the limits of Starr's arrest from Thomas J. Wood at Fort Mason, Texas. This is frustrating because it provides no clue to why he is on house arrest! The July 31 letter it refers to was not copied for the author. Several letters are then exchanged including a tender letter to his daughter Kate on September 22, 1853, and no mention of his "arrest."
On March 4, 1854, he is at Fort McKavitt where he describes the needs of his wife for family to his daughter Kate. Starr served in Texas from 1848 to 1854 and this time was hard for his wife.
In 1855 he was in Fort Riley, Kansas. On July 20, 1855, he is at Fort Kearney, Nebraska Territory while his wife is in Burlington, New Jersey and the envelope indicates he is now a captain. He talks about his participation in chasing Native Americans on the plains and their way of life. Other letters mention the Sioux and Utah expeditions in 1855–1856 when he was at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Over the years he writes many letters home, mostly to his daughters.
On May 19, 1856, while at Old Fort Cedar, Captain Augustus Pleasonton writes from the headquarters of the Sioux Expedition at Fort Pierre orders to return to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for recruiting duty. Starr is there by July 17 and in a letter dated April 11, 1857, from the assistant adjutant general, L. Thomas, he is sent back West. In a June 26, 1857, letter he describes to his daughter Kate where he is and how things are going at the post.
Then there is a letter (September 13, 1857) regarding an investigation into Starr's conduct to the Inspector General, Colonel J. K. F. Mansfield regarding irregularities of recruiting accounts. There is a series of letters to and from the Auditor's Office in the Treasury Department until at least August 1859. Apparently this is resolved because he is promoted to captain on June 14, 1858, and continues with the 2nd U.S. Cavalry until August 3, 1861. In 1861 he leaves the Western territories for the East. On May 16, he is in Washington, D.C., and his wife is now residing in Burlington, New Jersey.
Civil War During the Civil War, Starr held a number of positions. He served as aide de camp to Brigadier General Joseph Mansfield, who was in command of the Department of Washington. On August 16, 1861, Starr accepts his appointment as a colonel of the 5th New Jersey Volunteer Infantry from Governor C. S. Olden in Trenton, New Jersey. It is effective on August 24, 1861. On September 25, 1861, the Officers of the 5th New Jersey Infantry write to Brigadier General William R. Montgomery regarding of Starr's excess discipline and mistreatment of his men.
By December 14, 1861, he was commander of the 3rd Brigade, Hooker’s Division, Army of the Potomac. His October 15 letter from Alexandria, Virginia to Eliza shows pride in his men. On May 4, 1862, he is breveted to major, Regular Army for gallant and meritorious service during the battle of Williamsburg, Virginia. He still held his volunteer rank of colonel.
He writes a letter to wife Eliza only 22 miles from the Confederate Capital in Richmond, Virginia, on May 17, 1862. He provides a good description and some detail of his experiences during the Battle of Williamsburg. On May 27 he writes from Bottom's Bridge in Virginia.
From the camp of "Seven Pines," six miles before Richmond, Virginia comes a report (June 5, 1862) of the killed and wounded from the 5th New Jersey Infantry during the Battle of Seven Pines in Virginia acknowledged by Colonel Starr. Then there is a printed commendation from George McClellan to the soldiers of the Army of the Potomac in a letter dated July 1, from Governor Olden in Trenton to Starr praising his men. "The regiment was brave, and I have reason to congratulate myself in having command of as gallant a regiment as any in the service." Starr was with the Third Army Corps, Second Division, Third Brigade
Fall from grace and redemption Starr had always been a strict taskmaster and disciplinarian typical of a pre-war army sergeant with a mouth that matched. To those who admired him, he earned the nickname of "Old Paddy" and to those that didn't "Old Nose Bag." The latter term comes from an old company punishment for transgression that required the offender mount astride a fence rail, with his arms secured behind him and with his feet tied together. The crowning came with a horse feed bag (the nose bag) placed over the face of the individual. Other forms of company punishment included being strapped to a wagon wheel or being forced to walk a post for hours in full uniform and gear. The harsh discipline was maintained for both officers and enlisted men. Starr had been warned after the September 25, 1861, letter of complaint from his officers. The volunteers would not put up with the harsh discipline of the pre-war regulars.
Due to a slapping incident, reticent of the future strict disciplinarian and vulgar lashing tongue of General George S. Patton, where Starr "saber slapped" an inattentive guard on the head, Starr resigned his commission in the volunteer service. A letter dated October 4, 1862, was forwarded General L. Thomas, Adjutant General in Washington, D.C., which was accepted on October 20. Starr at Camp Kearney, Virginia sends a telegram to Governor C. S. Olden regarding his resignation on October 22 and in reply Starr is encouraged to participate in recruiting efforts.
In a letter dated January 16, 1863, he shows remorse for his actions and a desire for forgiveness to his wife. On February 20, 1863, Starr writes to General L. Thomas, Adjutant General in Washington, D.C., regarding charges against him for improper recruiting. After a period of remorse and religious inner-inspection he returned to the 2nd U.S. Cavalry (formerly the 2nd Dragoons) as a captain. On April 25, 1863, Starr is promoted to major, Regular Army, with the 6th U.S. Cavalry Regiment.
He was breveted lieutenant colonel for gallant and meritorious service in action at Upperville, Virginia on June 21, 1863. Starr commanded the Cavalry Reserve Brigade briefly. He assumed he would be promoted, but his older age and reputation denied him continued command. Many felt his old school discipline, attitude and the rapidly changing venue of the Union cavalry was beyond him. Remarkably he held his tongue while fuming in outrage but soldiered on. Then for gallant and meritorious service in the Gettysburg Campaign he was breveted to colonel. However his new commander quickly makes a mistake that would be costly to Starr and the 6th Cavalry.
Gettysburg Campaign
The Gettysburg Campaign was a series of engagements before and after the Battle of Gettysburg. To better understand Starr's role within the military organization, the following brief is provided. For more details, see Gettysburg Union order of battle.
The Army of the Potomac was initially under Major General Joseph Hooker then under Major General George G. Meade on June 28, 1863. The Cavalry Corps was commanded by Major General Alfred Pleasonton, with divisions commanded by Brigadier Generals John Buford, David McM. Gregg, and H. Judson Kilpatrick.
DivisionBrigade Regiments and OthersFirst Division:
BG John Buford (2,748) Reserve Brigade:
BG Wesley Merritt6th Pennsylvania Cavalry: