Samuel R. Burroughs was
born in Alabama in 1842, the son of
Benjamin and Louisa Fair (Burton)
Burroughs. His father and mother had
lineages of patriotic citizens who
proudly served of the military cause,
being outstanding of the freedom of our
American today.
Both his parents of Scottish,
Irish, French and English coming to
America from England to have the freedom
of the Christian and free speech beliefs
came before the revolutionary war. His
ancestors first settled in Maryland.
Each generation the Burroughs men held
top honor positions of the military
force of their era of time. Sam's
father served as Captain of the 18th
Regiment of the 5th Brigade, 2nd
division of the Alabama state Militia.
He with personal integrity studied
medicine and civil engineering and he
wanted the best for his children made it
possible for Sam to obtain a proper
education.
In 1845 Sam moved to Texas
with his parents. Sam was 3 years old
when the family first settled in Sabine
County where his dad obtained a
prominent position as a planter. The
family then moved to Palestine where his
dad Benjamin served as county surveyor
and then in 1863, the family moved to
Raymond, Leon County, Texas.
Benjamin devoted in Sam
receiving the best education that was
available, made arrangements for him to
attend school at Melrose Nacogdoches
County. Then Sam attended the Palestine
High School and Mound Prairie Institute
in preparation of the medical field to
be a doctor. Sam was to graduate at the
end of the term in 1861.
The call of duty in the
confederacy army took priority in Sam's
life. He enlisted in March of 1861
leaving the graduation and his medical
career at a stand still. The duty to
his country was far more important than
his personal gain.
Sam suffered the harshest
hardships that were almost beyond
comprehension. He joined the Co. G
First Texas Regiment of General Hoods
Brigade, the Army of Virginia. The
marching to Virginia was brutal, Sam
with one shirt, one pair of pants and no
shoes, suffered from blisters, frost
bite, hunger, dysentery, chills, fevers,
and the flux. This caused Sam to be
sent to the hospital. He serving, knew
God had to have a special mission for
him.
Sam faced many more events,
some being much more harsh hardships.
Sam with his regiment saw action of many
battles. His fighting days came to an
end when he was captured by General
McCook's bodyguard. He remained in
prison under guard until he was released
from the confederate war.
Sam in despair, hungry, cold,
and suffering from other diseases at the
point of death, often wondered why God
let him live. Upon a failed escape from
the prison Sam, being a main leader,
received greater punishment. The worst
one was when he and others were very ill
with small pox. They were sent to the
livery stable. Sam so ill with the
disease suffered agony for a month. The
livery stable with colder, wet
conditions and death all around him,
again wondered why he survived.
Sam's life was about to change
from despair to a more fortunate
lifestyle. One morning when Sam was
improving, he was looking at the
medication. The doctor in charge asked
Sam if he could read the medication and
with a yea reply, he was placed in
charge of the dispensary and held this
position until his release from the
Confederate War. Sam was given a New
confederate suit, and he earned great
respect of Dr. Whitehill, the medical
advisor.
Upon his release he was given
transportation to Texas. However, he
had to walk from Shreveport Louisiana to
Palestine, Texas where he had left his
family. His parents thinking he was
dead were in shock and praising God all
at the same time. They could hardly
believe it was him, his mother found it
a sorrow she couldn't recognize him.
Sam Burroughs and Honorable
Confederate Hero also all leading Leon
County physician was a most remarkable
gentleman. He with faith in God and
relying on his trust in God truly was a
special servant of missions of mercy for
God, his country, and for his Leon
County. He was recognized as an
outstanding gentleman who accomplished
many great things in his lifetime.
Sam was faithful to write
letters to his family all during the
time he was a confederate soldier. Even
when he was captured and put in prison,
he wrote and sent letters on a regular
basis. Sam's poem he wrote while in
prison during the war is a southern
historical document.
Samuel R. Burroughs's prison
poem says:
"Kindred spirit wilt thou descend from
thine eternal doom
and tell us why we thus must spend
the bloom of life in a dungeon home?
Oh, tell us why this lot of ours to wear
away this life so dear
whilst the mellow day doth greet
the flowers and the mother cheek doth
mark a tear?
When shall we from this prison go to
greet those loved ones far away
when leave this hated pit of woe
and bash beneath the brightest ray?
Oh let thine answer be quick and clear
expel the gloom that's round us thrown
take from the cheek the trembling
tear and give us exit free to roam."
This is Sam's poem while confined at
Camp Douglass. |