Samuel H. Starr Papers

Collection

Identifier: A1558

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Samuel Starr Papers consist primarily of correspondence, military papers, and miscellaneous material regarding Starr's family and his service with various military units. The papers also include several folders of papers regarding William D. Price and his family.

Dates

1846-1904

Creator

Starr, Samuel H., 1810-1891 (Author, Person)

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research use.

Conditions Governing Use

For permission to publish, quote from, or reproduce material in this collection, please contact the Archives Reference Desk at archives@mohistory.org. Copyright restrictions may apply. The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming to the laws of copyright.

Biographical Sketch

Samuel Starr was born July 31, 1810, in Leyden, New York. He enlisted in the United States Army in October 1832, and served with the Engineer Battalion during the Mexican War. He was appointed brevet second lieutenant, 2nd Dragoons, in June 1848 and served in Texas from 1848 to 1854, in Kansas in 1855, in the Sioux and Utah expeditions in 1855-1856, and in the Western territories until 1861. During the Civil War, Starr held a number of posts. He served as aide de camp to Brigadier General Joseph Mansfield, who was in command of the Department of Washington, and in August 1861 he was appointed colonel of the 5th New Jersey Infantry. He later commanded the 3rd Brigade, Hooker’s Division, Army of the Potomac. He resigned his commission in the volunteer service in October 1862 and returned to the 2nd U.S. Cavalry (formerly the 2nd Dragoons). In April 1863, he was promoted to major of the 6th U.S. Cavalry. After recovering from wounds received at Fairfield, Pennsylvania, in July 1863, Starr was assigned as chief mustering and disbursing officer for the state of Ohio. He held this position from November 1863 to September 1864. In the latter month he was ordered to join Sheridan’s army in the Shenandoah Valley. From November 1864 to August 1865 he served as special inspector of cavalry for the Army of the Potomac and the Army of the James. In October 1865, he was ordered with his regiment to Texas. He retired from the army in December 1870. Starr married Eliza Kurtz in 1841. He died November 23, 1891, in Philadelphia and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C. Samuel Starr's daughter Kate married William D. Price of Austin, Texas, in 1866. Price served as a captain of the 1st Texas Cavalry (Union) during the Civil War, and following the war he became a prominent lawyer and judge in Austin. He died in 1877.

Extent

2.07 Cubic Feet ( (4 boxes; 1 oversize folder))

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Arrangement

The collection is arranged into eight series: Personal Correspondence from Samuel Starr to Family, Personal Correspondence to Samuel Starr, Military Correspondence of Samuel Starr, Military Papers of Samuel Starr, Papers of Other Members of the Starr Family, Papers of William D. Price, Papers of Other Members of the Price Family, and Miscellaneous. The Personal Correspondence from Samuel Starr to Family Series consists of correspondence from Starr to his wife and daughters arranged chronologically. The series provides information on the Mexican War and family affairs. The Personal Correspondence to Samuel Starr Series includes letters from veterans regarding reunions and veterans’ organizations. The papers are arranged chronologically. The bulk of the collection is contained in the Military Correspondence of Samuel Starr Series, which consists of correspondence to and from Starr and provides information on the Mexican War, the Civil War, and the Sioux Indian expedition. The papers are arranged chronologically. The Military Papers of Samuel Starr Series consists of two folders of miscellaneous items including forms for quartermaster stores, charges against Starr, and lists of casualties. The series also includes three folders of General and Special Orders. The Papers of Other Members of the Starr Family Series consists of correspondence to Starr's wife and daughters regarding family affairs and Starr's pension. It also includes a folder of letters to I. Ursula Starr and one letter to Samuel H. Starr, Starr's grandson. The Papers of William D. Price Series consists of correspondence and papers regarding Price's personal, military, and business affairs. It provides information on Price's Civil War service and his work as a lawyer and judge in Texas. Each folder is arranged chronologically. The Papers of Other Members of the Price Family Series consists primarily of papers regarding land and accounts of Price's mother and stepfather. It also includes one letter to Price's daughter. The Miscellaneous Series includes papers regarding Samuel Starr and newspaper clippings, including Starr’s obituary. Some of the clippings are photocopies.