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CDV OF 139TH PENNSYLVANIA OFFICER LIEUTENANT SAMUEL HARPER

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This bust view CDV was identified from another image in a well-known private collection and from a post-war image found on the internet.

Bust image shows Harper as a 2^nd Lieutenant. Only the first few buttons on his uniform are visible as is one of his shoulder straps.

Image is clear with excellent contrast but does have light to moderate surface dirt.

Reverse has collector’s id in pencil and a back mark for McBRIDE of Pittsburgh.

An online biography of Harper reads in part:

“Samuel Harper was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., August 8, 1837… His father died when he was nine years old, leaving a large family. He was educated in the public schools of Pittsburgh, and when seventeen years old entered the law office of John Hamilton… as a clerk, and soon after was registered as a law student. In December, 1855, he accompanied Hamilton to Fort Madison, Iowa, and remained there until the death of Mr. Hamilton, in 1856. He then returned to Pittsburgh and continued the study of law, and in October, 1858, was admitted to practice in the courts of Allegheny County.

He married July 17, 1860, Helen Whittier, daughter of Isaac and Adeline M. Whittier, of Grandview avenue, Mount Washington. He now became a member of the Episcopal Church, to which his wife and her family belonged, and was confirmed by Bishop Stevens, in St. Andrew's Church, Pittsburgh, in 1861.

He was thoroughly loyal during our late Civil War, and entered the Union Army in August, 1862, and served to the close of the war as an officer in the 139th Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers.

In May, 1867, he was appointed Register in Bankruptcy for his Congressional District, and continued to hold this office until his death. Mr. Harper was a positive man, strong in his convictions and strict in the performance of duty. The bent of early religious instructions influenced his opinions on Church matters to the end.

Mr. Harper was very prominent as an officer of the Grand Army of the Republic, and spent much time and labor in fostering the interests and purposes of that patriotic organization. He died May 16, 1889, aged 52 years, greatly respected by a wide circle of friends, leaving a wife and five children, two sons and three daughters.”

To fill out his war record it should be said that Harper was commissioned a 2^nd Lieutenant in Company G, 139^th Pennsylvania Infantry on September 1, 1862. On November 25, 1864 he was made Quartermaster and held that position until he was mustered out on June 21, 1865.

The 139^th was attached to the 6^th Corps of the Army of the Potomac and saw action at Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Cold Harbor, initial assaults on Petersburg as well as the fighting in the Shenandoah Valley under Sheridan. The regiment lost 150 officers and men killed and died of wounds as well as 86 to disease not to mention hundreds wounded.

After the war Harper also served as Secretary of the Pennsylvania Board of Commissioners for the Pennsylvania Monument at Gettysburg.

He is buried in Allegheny Cemetery, Pittsburgh.  [ad]

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