b. 18/03/1831 Pike County, Ohio. d. 18/06/1862 Atlanta, Georgia.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 04/1862 Big Shanty, Georgia.
Samuel Slavens MOH
Slavens’ birth is often disputed, with most sources listing it as 1830 or 1831. He was born in Pike County, Ohio. He served as a private in Company E of the 33rd Ohio Infantry. In April 1862, he was one of 22 Union soldiers who took part in the Great Locomotive Chase in Georgia under the direction of civilian scout James J. Andrews. Slavens was one of eight raiders including Andrews to be executed for spying. Samuel Slavens was hanged on June 18, 1862, in Atlanta, Georgia.
On July 28, 1883, Slavens was posthumously issued the Medal of Honor for being one of 22 men (including two civilians) who, by direction of General Mitchell (or Buell), penetrated nearly 200 miles south into enemy territory and captured a railroad train at Big Shanty, Georgia, in an attempt to destroy the bridges and track between Chattanooga and Atlanta.
MOH CITATION:
One of 19 of 24 men (including two civilians) who, by direction of Gen. Ormsby M. Mitchell, penetrated nearly 200 miles south into enemy territory and captured a railroad train at Big Shanty, Ga., in an attempt to destroy the bridges and track between Chattanooga and Atlanta.
BURIAL LOCATION: CHATTANOOGA NATIONAL CEMETERY, CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE.
SECTION H, SITE 11176.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: UNKNOWN.
