Who We Are: Samuel Burnham McClennen Hanson 1842-1938

Samuel Burnham McClennen Hanson

15 Mar 1842 - 03 Dec 1938

My 3rd Great Grandfather

Father to 11 Children, 6 sons: Charles, Warrick, Joseph, Samuel. Lewis and John and 5 daughters: Mary, Sarah, Luetta, Catherine and Margaret. Warrick, Lewis, and Catherine died in infancy.

Son of Joseph Maitland Hanson and Mary Ann Mendenhall

At my last count there were well over 300 of us that descend through Charles his first born. Our branch comes down through his daughter Martha.

around 1943-44 a Hanson gathering of Samuel s Descendants

He along with his father Joseph and four brothers, Joseph, John, Warrick and George all served in the Civil War. His brother Warrick was KIA,

Went to war in a cattle car and as a young man of 21 was captured during the Civil War and held prisoner by the Confederate Army for more than seven months.

He participated in the Tennessee and Mississippi campaigns. Saw action in the fighting at the battle of Shiloh, TN, siege of Corinth, Miss., Buell’s march on Louisville, KY, campaign of Murfreesboro, TN, battle of Kennesaw Mountain, Tullahoma, TN, Hoover’s Gap, Garrison’s Creek and Chickamauga, GA

Enlisted, volunteered in Union as Private of Captain Jesse Fulmer Company “E” of the 2nd Battalion. Some records show 1st Battalion), 15th Regiment of the United States Infantry August 12, 1862 to serve for three years. Given under the hand of P.T. Swain, Captain, and 15th Infantry Commanding at Lookout Mountain. Served with excellent character and honorably with his company in the battle of Chickamauga 1863 September 19th and 20th, where he was taken prisoner on the 20th. He was taken to a tobacco warehouse at Richmond, VA. Later he was sent to Libby Prison at Danville, VA where he was held until May 8, 1864.

He was then refitted at Camp Parole, Maryland May 11, 1864 and then sent to the hospital. Returned July 1864, sent to Camp Chand, Ohio [could be camp Chase] September 14, 1864 where he reported September 17, 1864 and sent to “PRO” [could be Prospect abbreviated] near Columbus, Ohio to December 3, 1864. He rejoined his regiment, served until the end of his term March or April shows him present for duty at Lookout Mountain, Tennessee where he was honorably discharged August 12, 1865

by John J Heine(Elizabeth4 Shields, Sarah Ritter3 Hanson, Samuel Burnham McClennen2 Hanson, Joseph Maitland1 Hanson)

Phila veterans make valiant Gettysburg Unit.

Excerpts from Inquirer Staff Reporter , Gettysburg, Pa June 29, 1938

Philadelphia came to Gettysburg today only six strong, but a more valiant six you never saw before in your life.

Samuel B. Hanson, 96 year old veteran “I went to war in a cattle car” he said as he stepped off of the train at 3 P.M. “and I wouldn’t mind riding in a cattle car again to come to Gettysburg. But it was no cattle car this time. No, sirree. Nothing was good enough but a special car. We sure could have used a special car in “63”.

It was the fifth time at Gettysburg for Hanson. He attended a G.A.R. national encampment here twice; visited the battlefield once; came to the 50th anniversary celebration of the big battle in 1913, and here he is again as chipper as ever.

He is accompanied by one of his two daughters, Mrs. Sarah Shields. “She’s my bodyguard” he said “She is going to keep the girls away from me.” Hanson remembers that in 1913 the Philadelphia contingent of boys in blue numbered about 700. “We had a good time then, all right”, he said. “But you just watch me this time, provided I can get away from my bodyguard.”

Mrs. Shields who is used to that sort of talk, just smiled. “His legs aren’t any good,” she confided “He’s not going to do much running around.”

Later that day Samuel Hanson suggested a pinochle game, and they all gathered in his tent for an hour of social pastiming.

Hanson looked up from his dealing and gave a broad wink. “This reminds me of a meeting of Gen George Meade Post No. 2 G.A.R, Philadelphia.” He said

Others in the Philadelphia delegation were Samuel S, Fowler, 94 of 501 W. Hortter St., Germantown; William Ritter, 92 of 152 W. Queen La., Germantown; Allan T. McFarland, 92 of 2226 S. 67th St., Zachary T. Kirk, 90, of 1619 Fillmore St., Frankford, and James Burns, 92 of Upper Darby.

Fowler, quartermaster general of the Grand Army of the Republic. Arrived with his sergeant major’s sword, and his daughter, Mrs. Mae Carter.

The only two Philadelphia veterans who actually took part in the battle of Gettysburg had not yet arrived. They are William J. Baker, 90, of 22nd and Fitzwater sts., who was a drummer boy in the famous battle, and William Jackaway, 97, of 2621 N. Hutchinson St., who saw action against Pickett’s division in that Pickett’s charge that will be long remembered.

Jackaway is one of the very few survivors of that charge on either the Northern or Southern side who is still living. He was a member of the 72nd Pennsylvania Volunteers, a Philadelphia regiment, and was with the company which defended Cemetery Ridge on July 3, 1863. His name is carved on the monument marking the site of the Cemetery Ridge battle.

The other Philadelphians who have not arrived, although their tents have been assigned and are waiting, are Frederick J. McWade, 98, of Cottage and Decatur sts., Holmesburg, and John G. Tillett, 94, of 2513 S. 3rd St.

transcribed by John J Heine(Elizabeth4 Shields, Sarah Ritter3 Hanson, Samuel Burnham McClennen2 Hanson, Joseph Maitland1 Hanson)

These links lead to more Information:

Samuel B Hanson

Wiki/Hanson-1898