Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1882-08-08
Mrs. Lincoln's Youngest Brother.
THE GALLANT YOUNG SAM TODD, WHO
WAS KILLED AT THE BATTLE OF
SHILOH, THE 7TH OF APRIL, 1862,
ON THE CONFEDERATE SIDE.

[BY A. P. b.
The recent death of that sad lady,
Mrs. Lincoln, has filled the papers with
from all quarters of her
family, her girlhOod, her cOurtshlps,
white House," and her melancholy
night Of 1855. The writer has also q
brief remembrance to recall which may
as we'll be placed on record. When the
war broke out Mrs. Lincoln had two
brothers, DR.. Todd and Sam Todd, re-
siding in New Orleans and in business
there. DR.. Todd was early appointed q
surgeon in the Confederate army, and,
we believe, came to Virginia. Young
Sam Todd was gay and happy youth,
not over thirty, of good social standing
and pleasing address, handsome IN per-
son. very popular. and in every respect
a manly fellow: He was. OF course,
known as the brother in-law OF the
President, or 'old Abe" as he was gen
orally called but being an ardent south
with his friends. In March, 1862.
when Beauregard was appointed to the
West and sent out to stay the progress
Sherman through Kentucky and Ten
nessee, he made a cali upon Louisiana,
his native State, to come to his aid.
This was promptly responded to by sew
eral thousand young men Of New Or
leans, of all grades of society, who ea>
gerly volunteered, and among the num-
Der was young Sam Todd. He enrolled
himself in the "Crescent Regiment"
A month after volunteering the great
battle of Shiloh was fought. On the
day before that battle the writer and
others gave "a dinner" to some hall
dozen of their personal friends of the
Crescent Regiment, Washington Artil-
lery, Seventh Texas, &C., and Sam Todd
was one of the favorite guests. Jovial
Sam Todd! Who that knew him can
ever forget him! All soul, all fun-all
fire, too! They separated for the march,
and the next day were all in the midst
of battle by sunrise. The first day went
merrily enough for our side. It was a
delightful game of base ball, and,
though the battle was fierce, desperate,
and holly contested, when night came
we had scored great victory.
That night was fearful one, and We
slept on the field in the most drenchine
rain storm that was ever experienced
accompanied by some of the very loud
est thunder, which could only be dis
| tinguished from the roar of the Column
| biads fired at intervals on the gunboats
| by the fact that the first gun was harm
less, but the latter being loaded, theil
shrieking shell and rolling shot caused
our fellows often to change the logs &C.
lected for their pillows.
Betimes on the morning of the 7th We
were all up and in line, but rested fol
awhile to cook breakfast before advanc.
ing. While engaged over a pot of boil
ing potatoes, as somebody else was pre-
pairing coffee, surrounded by many o.
the staff and the correspondents Of
Beauregard's army proper, the Louisi
ana and Texas men, q young fellow in
the uniform of the Crescents came uF
and expressed wish for lone of them
Murphys when they we're DONE" Turn
ing and recognizing our friend Todd
we grasped his hand and congratulated
him upon his good fortune in the fight
for although the "Crescents" were in
reserve they had yet participated largely
| in the battle. and it was the leading
regiment in the capture of Prentiss and
his men, its Colonel, Marshall ]. Smith
of Norfolk, receiving his sword; but
| tu0 ueAb ulUueut uumU6T VI IOuuU
shot came plunging over the field in
which we were assembled, one of which
overturned our potato pot, and the or
der was to fall in at once 90 the enemy
| were advancing force. 1t was the new
troops of Rual and Nelson, and we were
at once holly engaged. Sam Todd's
regiment was thrown to the from
promptly, soon followed by ours, when
almost the first object that met us as WI
passed over the field, was the lifelest
body of poor Sam, Mrs. Lincoln's
brother, with bullet hole in his fore.
head! Driven back, and still back, oul
dead were all left on the disastrous field
for Grant to bury; and among those
who shared these grim and hasty fune-
raj rites there was no better man OF
more devoted soldier of the Confederacy
than this gallant young brother of the
| 'Lady of the White House."
In speaking of this event in the Delta
q correspondent at the time made this
sad commentary: poor Sam Todd. Of
the Crescents, was left dead on the field
Little did the Lady of the White House
think, while rejoicing over the news OF
the victory and celebrating it in grand
ball at the Capital, that her youngest
brother lay cold in the embrace of death
upon that bloody field"