In 1855, Sarah Smith married Charles A. L. Sampson,[1] who served in the civil war, 3rd Maine Regiment, at first as a Capt and later promoted to Lt. Colonel.
Sarah made the decision to go with the 3rd Maine, nursing the wounded and dying at, among other battles, Fredericksburgh and Gettysburgh.
Even after her husband and the Third Regiment had returned to Maine, Sarah traveled to Washington, D.C. where she continued to provide care to soldiers and assist them with going home.
She finally returned to her home of Bath, Maine in October of 1865 after having spent more than four years in harm's way, caring for her beloved soldiers.
On arriving home, Sarah was dismayed to find the many soldiers struggling to care for their families, and the sad plight of children orphaned by the war. In 1866, Sarah, along with several other women, convinced the legislature that a safe haven was needed and the Bath Military and Naval Orphanage was opened in 1866 with Sarah as its first Director.
In 1881, Charles passed away in Bath, and Sarah moved to live with her sister in Washington, DC where she worked in the Pension offices.[2]
Sarah was honored by her service during the Civil War with burial accompanied by full military honors in Plot: Section 1, Site 1261, Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia. [3]
A short item about her will was published in The Evening Star in Washington, D. C., "The will of Sarah S. Sampson has been filed for probate. She died the 22d instant. Her will was executed December 1, 1883, and leaves the entire estate to her sister, Mary C. Smith of Bath, Me., who is named executrix."[4]
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S > Smith | S > Sampson > Sarah J. (Smith) Sampson
Categories: Bath, Maine | Washington, District of Columbia | Nurses, United States Civil War | Battle of Fredericksburg | Battle of Gettysburg | Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia