Coldwater in Branch County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Old Sam

Born April 4, 1849 Died November 8, 1876

Photographed By Duane Hall, May 17, 2013

1. Old Sam Marker

Inscription. Hero of the Civil War, a beautiful, powerfully built draft horse, was the only survivor of the two hundred horses assigned to the Loomis battery of Michigan, after having been engaged in many battles and skirmishes.

Old Sam was wounded several times and half-starved most of the time, yet he endured four years of battle fatigue, hunger, and pain. (The average life span of a war horse was three to five months.)

On July 28, 1865, after the War, Old Sam and his War comrades were shipped back to Coldwater. Old Sam's No. 1 cannon and caisson were presented to General Loomis for placement in the Loomis Park.

Old Sam was awarded all the honors of a war hero. Each Memorial Day, Old Sam led the parade to the Oak Grove Cemetery.

Old Sam went to his final rest on November 8, 1876 at the age of 27 years. Secretly at night, Old Sam was buried with full military honors at Oak Grove Cemetery with his comrades. Truly, Old Sam was one of the great war horses of history.

Erected by Charles and Terry Tucker, and Family.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is July 28, 1865.

Location. 41° 56.446′ N, 85° 0.023′ W. Marker is in Coldwater, Michigan

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, in Branch County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of East Chicago Street (U.S. 12) and Marshall Street (Old U.S. 27), on the left when traveling east. The marker is installed on the back of the Branch County World War I Memorial. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Coldwater MI 49036, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Branch County World War I Memorial (here, next to this marker); Loomis' Battery (here, next to this marker); The City of Coldwater, 1861-1961 (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Loomis' Battery (a few steps from this marker); Coldwater Michigan National Guard Armory Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Frank D. Newberry (within shouting distance of this marker); Branch County World War II Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Michigan Library Association (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Coldwater.

Photographed By Duane Hall, May 17, 2013

2. Old Sam Marker

Ensign Harold A. Robinson Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., July 6, 2014

3. Ensign Harold A. Robinson Marker

Below the "Old Sam" marker

Photographed By Craig Doda, May 11, 2022

4. Old Sam Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on May 26, 2022. It was originally submitted on July 13, 2013, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,141 times since then and 68 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 13, 2013, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. 3. submitted on August 10, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 4. submitted on May 26, 2022, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.