The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.

Thursday, February 7, 2008

Where's Sam?

Everyone knows Sam is buried somewhere in Frankfort, Illinois, but just exactly where is a big question. The remains might be in Vern Harvey's yard, it might be under a strip mall, or perhaps someone planting bushes at one of the many new subdivisions might come across some old horse bones. But, any way, the whereabouts of General Sherman's horse Sam has become somewhat of a topic of discussion in this village of 16,500 about 20 miles southwest of Chicago.

Hey, it might even be under the Lincoln Highway, present-day US-30.

What is known is that Sam "retired" from service sometime around 1870 and lived out his years on a farm in Frankfort.

Vern Harvey thinks Sam's final resting place just might be at his 1870s era farm. It is thought that Sam died around 1874. The problem is that most of the farm's original 400 acres have been sold to development.

His final resting place may be a mystery, but his life is well-known. According to the article, Sam was "a dark-chestnut-colored, half-thoroughbred bay, the animal stood about five feet four inches from hoof to withers, weighed about 1000 pounds and was famed for its strength."

"Sherman acquired the horse after the Battle of Shiloh, when his previous mount was shot. Over the war's course, Sam was wounded several times but was said to be 'as calm and steady as his master, evening during the chaos of battle."

It is believed that Sam carried Sherman on his infamous March to the Sea and the Carolinas campaigns at the end of the war.

Sam was later sent to live out his days at the farm of William Sanger, a friend of Sherman's.

In the following years after his arrival, Sam was a regular presence in the village. The Sanger grandchildren often rode him to town.

On his death in 1874, he was buried near a grove of oak trees near the Sanger home.

Over the years, Sam's memory faded and was all but forgotten until 2004 when a group of local
organizations commissioned a metal sculpture of Sam, Sherman, and two Sanger grandchildren and placed it near downtown.

January 31, 2008 Chicago Tribune "The mystery trailing Gen. Sherman's horse" byColleen Mastony.

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