Samuel Chamberlain
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Samuel E. Chamberlain ( November 27, 1829 – 1908) was a soldier, painter, and author who travelled throughout the American Southwest and Mexico. He was born November 27, 1829 in Center Harbor, New Hampshire, United States, and soon afterward moved to Boston where he spent most of his childhood. In 1844 he left home without permission to go to Illinois where two years later he was to join the Illinois Second Volunteer Regiment, which was at that time headed to Texas for the Mexican-American War. In San Antonio he joined the regular army and became part of the First United States Dragoons. He fought at the Battle of Buena Vista and several other operations, but was found to be a deserter in 1849 when he returned home to Boston to raise a family. He and his wife, Mary, had three children.
Samuel Chamberlain was also involved in some less savory aspects of the Texas-Mexico border disputes. Most notably, he rode with the infamous Glanton gang, under the command of John Glanton, and was involved in the taking of scalps under highly questionable circumstances. During the civil war, he commanded the Fifth Massachusetts Cavalry, an all African-American unit, and rose to the rank of brigadier general.
Many may know him better for his paintings, which consist largely of landscapes and battle scenes concerning the Mexican-American war. A large collection is held at the San Jacinto Museum of History Paintings in San Antonio. Chamberlain is also the author of a book about his early adventures entitled "My Confession: The Recollections of a Rogue".
[edit] Sources
- Goetzmann, William H.: "Sam Chamberlain's Mexican War: The San Jacinto Museum of History Paintings"
- Chamberlain, Samuel E.: "My Confession: Recollections of a Rogue."
