Civil War Veterans Buried In Washington State - Samuel Baker

29^th WISCONSIN VOLUNTEER INFANTRY
Organized: Summer. 1862 Camp Randall Madison, WI
Mustered In:  9/27/1862 Camp Randall Madison, WI
Mustered Out:  6/22/1865 Shreveport, LA

10^th U.S. COLORED VOLUNTEER INFANTRTY
Organized: Fall, 1863 VA
Mustered In: 11/18/1863 VA
Mustered Out: 5/17/1866 TX

REGIMENTAL HISTORY:  (29^th)

The 29^th was a three year infantry regiment. Its period of service was within the western theater of operations during the American Civil War (ACW).

Leaving the state on 11/2/1862 the unit, moved to a point in Mississippi across from Helena, AR. An expedition into that state’s interior occupied part of the regiment with guard and picket duties until late December when the entire 29^th went into winter quarters.

On 1/11/1863 the 29^th moved to Devall’s Bluff, AR. There it captured artillery, arms, stores and Rebel prisoners.

Next came the battle of Port Gibson (5/1/1863) as Federal forces began to move against Vicksburg, MS. Although a Union victory, the engagement cost the 29^th seventy-one (71) killed and wounded.

At Champion’s Hill, MS the 29^th carried an enemy position with a bayonet charge. This cost the unit another one hundred fourteen (114) killed and wounded. The siege of Vicksburg, itself, followed.

After the surrender of Vicksburg (7/4/1863), that same month the 29^th   participated in the second battle of Jackson, MS. Expeditions, guard and picket duties consumed the remainder of that summer and fall. Marching into Texas, the unit helped open that state’s coast from Matagorda Bay to the Rio Grande.

1864. In Texas the 29^th was in the battle of Sabine Crossroads (9/8/1863) before marching to New Orleans, LA in mid-year. That same month orders sent the unit to St. Charles, AR for guard, expeditionary and fatigue duty which consumed the remainder of the year.

In 2/1865 the 29^th joined Federal movements to capture Mobile, AL. These included Spanish Fort (3/27 – 4/8/1865) and Ft. Blakely (4/2 – 9/1865). Provost (military police) duties preceded final muster that June. 

REGIMENTAL LOSSES:
Officers Killed Or Mortally Wounded:  1 ‘Officers Died Of Disease, Accidents, Etc.:3; Enlisted Men Killed Or Mortally Wounded: 76; Enlisted Men Died Of Disease, Accidents, Etc.: 242.
 

REGIMENTAL HISTORY: (10^th)

The 10^th was a three year U.S. Colored Troops (USCT) infantry regiment. During its existence it served in both the eastern and western theaters of the American Civil War. (ACW).

For the 10^th, the first part of its existence was spent in Virginia. It was first stationed at Crany’s Island until mid- 1/1864. From there via Virginia’s eastern shore it moved to Yorktown and, from there to the south side of the James River with Union forces as they moved upon Petersburg/Richmond.

After the surrender of Confederate forces in 4 & 5/1865 the regiment was ordered to Texas. There, it served at various points along the Rio Grande River until final muster in 5/1866.

REGIMENTAL LOSSES:
Loss Numbers Not Available.

SOLDIER: (29^th)
Residence: Bristol, WI   Age: ca. 20 yrs.
Enlisted/Enrolled: 8/21/1862   Rank:  Cprl.
Mustered In: 8/21/1862
Mustered Out: 9/29/1864
Highest Rank: Cprl.
Rank At Discharge: Cprl.

SOLDIER:  (10^th)
Residence: Bristol, WI   Age: ca. 22 yrs.
Enlisted/Enrolled: 7/7/1864 New Orleans, LA   Rank:  Qtr. Mstr. Sgt.
Mustered In: 9/29/1864
Mustered Out: Inf. Not Avail.
Highest Rank: Qtr. Mstr. Sgt.
Rank At Discharge: Qtr. Mstr. Sgt. 

PERSONAL/FAMILY HISTORY:

Samuel W. Baker was born circa 1842. His place of birth was Jackson, PA.

Parenting Samuel were Samuel Baker (Sr.).  and Eliza (nee Hill) Baker.

In 1864, at the time he joined the 7^th/10^th U.S.C.H.A.  Samuel, the physical being,   was described as follows: Age: 22; Occupation: farmer; Eyes: brown; Hair: brown; Complexion: white; Height: 5’7 ¾”.

 It appears Samuel moved to the Pacific Northwest sometime during the late 1880s. It is surmised that what had drawn him to the region was the timber industry.  Exactly when he arrived here is unknown.

 1910. The U.S. Census for Bellingham Whatcom County, WA listed Samuel living with his wife, Henrietta “Etta” Baker”, 42 (b. NY) along with their children Stanley S. Baker, (b. bet. 1895 - 1898 WA) and Dorothy E. Baker (b. ca. 1905 WA).  The couple had been married for 14 years. Samuel’s occupation was carpenter.

Samuel died 8/22/1911. Burial was/is in Bayview Cemetery located in Bellingham Whatcom County, WA.

Newspaper Notice:
Samuel W. Baker, aged 65 years, a resident of this city for more than twenty-four years, died of accidental injuries received at the B.B. Lumber Company’s mill shortly before 6 o’clock Tuesday evening.  Mr. Baker was a veteran of the Civil war, having served as corporal in company A, Twenty-ninth regiment, Wisconsin volunteer infantry; also as quartermaster sergeant of company E, Tenth regiment, United States colored volunteer heavy artillery. Mr. Baker’s home was at 2607 East North Street, where he leaves a widow, one son [aged 16] and a daughter [aged 5]. Funeral services will be conducted at the chapel of Mock & Hill, 1055 Elk Street, Thursday afternoon, August 24 at 2 o’clock. The Rev. J.R. Macartney, pastor of the High Street Presbyterian church will deliver a short address at the parlors, after which the members of J..B. Steedman post No. 24, Grand Army of the Republic, to which Mr. Baker belonged, will take charge, and at the grave in Bay View cemetery, where interment will take place, the ritualistic service of the Grand Army will be conducted. All members of the G.A.R. and W.R.C. have been requested to attend the funeral.

Etta died 4/18/1921. She was/is buried beside Samuel at Bayview Cemetery.
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*As organized, this unit was initially designated the 7^th U.S. Colored Heavy Artillery. Further, one documental source indicates that his first company in the 7^th/10^th was “B” while his newspaper obituary refers to “E”.
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NOTE:  The preceding courtesy of Whatcom Genealogical Society. Please see our Links page for information pertaining to obtaining a copy of the download Civil War Veterans of Whatcom County (including June 2014 update) from which much of the above information was gathered. 

Posted: 9/17/2024
Updated: 

Buried at BayView Cemetery Whatcom Co.