We are seeking to raise £600 to fund marble plinth that will house a prestigious “last Union veteran” plaque. This prestigious plaque honours the last American Civil War veteran to die in the United Kingdom. His name was Samuel Lander Hough, and he served in the 2nd New Jersey Cavalry during the American Civil War. After the conflict he settled in Derby where he died in 1940. The last American Civil War veteran to die in the United Kingdom, his story until recently, lost from history.

On October 4th a dedication to honour Samuel’s service was held. During which the ceremony his official burial marker was unveiled:

https://youtu.be/7H2WhpWyUt0?si=d4l1qGZXT92nfj30

Since the dedication, we have collaborated with Frank Tomasello, Commander of the Department of New Jersey, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War we have obtained an official “Last Union veteran” plaque which will be placed at his burial marker. It will be set in a white marble plinth. However the plinth comes at a cost of £600 which is why we are fundraising so that he can be appropriately honoured. Will you help us?

Sam Hough was well-known in Derby for his cheerful manner, and jaunty hat similar to that worn by Buffalo Bill. Images of him among the London Branch of American Civil War veterans show Sam wearing the notable headwear. Like his comrades he was no stranger to a tall tale or two, if a willing listener wanted to learn about service in the Civil War. His campfire tales included stopping a bullet at Gettysburg and that he knew Abraham Lincoln quite well. Regardless of such unverifiable anecdotes Sam served his community and the United States honourably, in good faith, kindly, and was well-liked. And he could lay claim to having conversed with a King. However his biggest distinction, was a status as the last Civil War veteran to die in the United Kingdom; a fact that has been overlooked for more than eight decades.

Service records show that Sam enlisted in the 2nd New Jersey Cavalry on September 8th, 1864, in Morris Town. He was just 16 years 5 months and 1 day old. However, in similar fashion to many other teenagers of the time he lied and told recruiters he was 18. As an outcome of enlisting he received a bounty of $100.00, the equivalent of $2,057.63 today.

Sam’s pension application cannot be located. However the 2nd New Jersey’s service history reveals that by December 1864 he had travelled over a thousand miles southwest to join them. The Cavalry unit were operating down in Mississippi. In late December Sam numbered among 3500 Cavalrymen under the command of Union Brigadier General Benjamin Grierson. The 2nd New Jersey carried the Spencer repeating carbine, giving them an important tactical advantage. The Spencer was known for reliability and a sustainable rate-of-fire in excess of 20 rounds per minute. In contrast the standard muzzle-loaders used by Union infantry, could only deliver at best 2–3 rounds per minute.

On June 29th, 1865, Sam mustered out of the regiment at. Vicksburg, Mississippi and returned home to his family. He apparently spent time as a lumberjack near Michigan. Research has determined he was a went into business as a trunk and carpet bag manufacturer with New Yorker Abraham W Thompson. Abraham who was 10 years Sam’s senior, their business was located in Market Street, New Jersey. He returned home to Derby, married, had children and involved himself in civic affairs.

In 1916 Sam had joined the ranks of the London Branch of American Civil War veterans and became their 124th member. The year 1935 marked the demise of the only other London Branch member, Samuel Henry Platten, Samuel was the organisations last veteran.

One can only wonder how he felt observing in the press stories of decreasing number of Civil War veterans. When German bombs dropped on British city’s at the outbreak of WW2, did he reflect back to his youth armed with cutlas and carbine at Egypt Station? The world and warfare had seen so many changes in eight decades. Sadly he would not see the wars conclusion as he died aged 92 on December 26th, 1940. Tragically Sam’s death passed without any significant reference in the world’s press concerning his particular distinction of being most likely the last Civil War veteran to die in the United Kingdom with verifiable service.

He was interred at Nottingham Road cemetery in the grave of his infant son Geoffrey Beecroft Hough who died in 1899. When his widow Elizabeth died in 1944, she was buried in the same grave. With the passage of time any intentions to place his name on a burial marker were overlooked, the life of the living taking precedence over the needs of the dead. Sam’s name became one of thousands lost among digitised and paper records of service.