Ford, Samuel R

Samuel Ford

NPS Photo

Quick Facts

Significance:

Company E, 154th Illinois Infantry

Place of Birth:

Crawford County, Illinois

Date of Birth:

1840

Place of Death:

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Date of Death:

April 20th, 1865

Place of Burial:

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Cemetery Name:

Stones River National Cemetery

Samuel R Ford was born in 1840 in Crawford County, Illinois. Later in life, his residence was more specifically listed as Palestine, Crawford County, Illinois where he worked as a farmer. On July 21st, 1861, Ford married Martha C Hambrick at the age of 21. Four years later, Ford enlisted with the Union army on February 15, 1865, at Olney, Illinois. He mustered into Company E of the 154th Illinois Infantry as a private. He was 25 years old at the time of his muster. The Illinois descriptive muster roll describes Ford as having been 6 feet tall with dark hair, blue eyes, and a light complexion. 

The 154th Illinois Infantry organized at Camp Butler, Illinois. Shortly after, they were attached to the 1st Brigade, Defenses Nashville & Chattanooga Railroad, Department of the Cumberland. They had duty in Murfreesboro, Tennessee guarding the railroad until April of 1865. During this time, Private Ford had contracted typhoid fever. This disease can come from poor sanitation, contaminated food and water sources, and overcrowding: something that was very common in soldier camps. 

Just two months after his muster, Private Ford succumbed to his illness on April 20, 1865, leaving behind his wife. He was one of 76 soldiers in the 154th Illinois Infantry Regiment to die of disease. 

Samuel Ford is laid to rest in the Stones River National Cemetery in plot G-2801.  

Tags: stones river national battlefield, stones river national cemetery, american civil war