Samuel Slavens

Samuel Slavens (c. 1830 – June 18, 1862) was a participant in the Andrew's Raid and a recipient of the Medal of Honor.

Samuel Slavens

Biography

Slavens' birth is often disputed, with most sources listing it as 1830 or 1831. He was born in Pike County, Ohio.[1] He served as a private in Company E of the 33rd Ohio Infantry. In April of 1862, he was one of 22 Union soldiers who took part in the Great Locomotive Chase in Georgia under the direction of civilian scout James J. Andrews.[2] Slavens was one of eight raiders including Andrews to be executed for spying. Samuel Slavens was hanged on June 18, 1862, in Atlanta, Georgia,[3] and posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor in 1883. He was buried in Atlanta and was later reburied in Chattanooga National Cemetery.[4]

Medal of Honor citation

On July 28, 1883,[5] Slavens was posthumously issued the Medal of Honor for being one of 22 men (including two civilians) who, by direction of General Mitchell (or Buell), penetrated nearly 200 miles south into enemy territory and captured a railroad train at Big Shanty, Georgia, in an attempt to destroy the bridges and track between Chattanooga and Atlanta.[5]

References
  1. "Samuel Slavens | U.S. Civil War | U.S. Army | Medal of Honor Recipient". Congressional Medal of Honor Society. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
  2. "Slavens, Samuel". The National Medal of Honor Museum. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
  3. G. Kurtz, Sr., Wilbur (April 1962). "The Andrews Raid". Railway & Locomotive Historical Society (R&LHS). 106: 15 – via JSTOR.
  4. "Samuel Slavens - victoriacross". vconline.org.uk. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
  5. "Samuel Slavens - Recipient -". valor.militarytimes.com. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
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