"God Alone Knows the Degree of Their Misery" An Ohio officer at the Crater
Archibald Johnson Sampson was born June 21, 1839 in Cadiz, Harrison County, Ohio. He grew up on the family farm and attended the local schools, then attended Mount Union College graduating on his birthday in 1861. By then, the war had commenced and he enlisted in Co. C of the 43 rd Ohio Infantry as a Private, serving with the regiment until June 1862 when he was discharged for disability. By that time, he had been promoted to the rank of sergeant. Returning home to Uhrichsville, he was elected the superintendent of schools but the lure of army life proved too strong and he enlisted as a private in Co. C of the 5 th Independent Battalion of Ohio Cavalry in 1863. The 5 th Battalion was later merged with the 4 th Battalion to form the 13 th Ohio Cavalry regiment. Sampson was promoted to regimental commissary sergeant. Lt Archibald J. Sampson, Co. H, 27th U.S.C.T. In April 1864, Sampson was commissioned a first lieutenant in the 27 th U.S. Colored Troops and joined the re...