Samuel Johnson, born on January 28, 1845, in Springfield Township, Pennsylvania, was the oldest of eight children.
In April 1861, after the Confederate attack on Fort Sumter, he attempted to join the U.S. Army but was rejected for being too young.
Undeterred, he tried again three months later and was mustered into Company G, 9th Pennsylvania Reserve Regiment, on July 27, 1861.
The 9th Pennsylvania Reserve Regiment, under Captain Samuel Johnson's command, played a crucial role in the Battle of Antietam. Some of the most desperate fighting occurred in a cornfield, where attacks and counterattacks occurred. The 9th Pennsylvania Reserves were on high ground north of the cornfield supporting an artillery battery when they observed the Fourteenth New York Infantry withdrawing from the field, with the First Texas Infantry Regiment in hot pursuit. Waiting until the Texans were within twenty-five yards, Captain Samuel Johnson ordered the Ninth to fire on them. As the Texans withdrew, Johnson captured two Confederate flags and was severely wounded while retrieving them.
On May 30, 1863, Assistant Adjutant General E. D. Townsend issued General Orders No. 160, reading:
“A medal of honor has been awarded to Private Samuel Johnson of Company G, Ninth Pennsylvania Reserves, for having, by individual bravery and daring, captured from the enemy two colors at the battle of Antietam, September 17, 1862, and received in the act a severe wound. He will be transferred to the Invalid Corps as a commissioned officer.”
Johnson mustered into the Veteran Reserve Corps on June 4, 1863, served as second lieutenant in Company C, Tenth Veteran Reserve Crops, and served there until he was dismissed on November 7, 1863.
After the war, Johnson pursued a medical career, living in West Virginia, Ohio, Missouri, and Kansas before settling in northwestern Arkansas. Throughout his life, he faced personal challenges, including outliving three wives and being divorced by a fourth in 1908. However, he found love again and married the woman with whom he spent the rest of his life.
Tragically, Samuel Johnson passed away on November 25, 1915, following a carriage accident. His final resting place is in Baker Cemetery in Onda, Washington County.
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