Samuel Harrison Hilton
Dublin Core
Title
Samuel Harrison Hilton
Subject
Company C, 1st Regiment N.C. Cavalry
Description
Although born in South Carolina, Samuel Harrison Hilton moved with his family at the tender age of one into the Old North State. His father – Aurelius Hilton – was a Baptist minister, and settled into Union County, NC, in 1845, and later to Charlotte in the 1850s.
Hilton was classically educated, attending the White Plain Academy in his youth. In 1859, he joined the Mecklenburg Dragoons, a newly formed militia company. When the unit disbanded at the start of the War, he became the youngest member of the Hornet’s Nest Rifles, later organized as a part of the 1st North Carolina Volunteers, and served in the first battle at Big Bethel in June of 1861.
When the “Bethel Regiment” disbanded at the conclusion of their six months’ service, Hilton returned to Charlotte. On February 2, 1862, he enlisted as a Private in the Mecklenburg Rangers - Company C, 9th Regiment North Carolina Troops (also known as the 1st North Carolina Cavalry).
His talent and zeal was immediately noticed by his superiors. In an account during the Seven Day’s campaign, just after the battle of Malvern Hill, it was said that Hilton “… was on picket duty at daybreak, armed only with an Enfield rifle, when he saw four bluecoats advancing, whom he instantly hailed and demanded their surrender, meanwhile calling to imaginary comrades in the woods. The stratagem succeeded, and at his request the four infantry men gave up their guns and marched into the Confederate camp as prisoners. The gallant Barringer, Captain of the squadron and afterward General, was astounded at this piece of cool bravery, and Hilton was ordered to report to headquarters, where he was asked what reward he desired. He modestly expressed himself as satisfied with his position as a private, but made known his desire to become an independent scout.”
His request was granted, and Hilton spent the remainder of the War on detached service to Cavalry headquarters as a scout and courier, initially to Wade Hampton and later to Rooney Lee.
Hilton was twice wounded during the War, and once captured. According to the story, “while bearing messages near Petersburg, with… a guide and an attendant, he was surrounded and captured, June 21, 1864. He made a gallant attempt to escape, riding at full speed under a rattling fire, only to run into the guns of another body of the enemy who compelled his surrender.” He ultimately was sent to Point Lookout, and later exchanged on November 14, 1864. He returned to his command in January of 1865, and continued on through the Appomattox Campaign. He did not surrender with the Army, however, making his way into North Carolina. Hilton finally surrendered and was paroled on May 20, 1865.
After the War, Hilton married and started a family. He resided in Charlotte, where he farmed, but he demanded more of himself. He put himself to the task of studying law, and was appointed as a justice of the peace, then as a county magistrate, and finally a Judge of the Mecklenburg County Court, where he was affectionately known as “Squire Hilton.”
Additionally, Hilton served as a member of the Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners and Board of Alderman. Aside from his political and judicial activities, Hilton was a member of the Tryon Street Methodist Church, the Phalanx Masonic Lodge, and a member of the Mecklenburg Camp of the United Confederate Veterans, where he served for a number of years as Commander.
Hilton died on March 1, 1913, at the age of sixty-eight. He is buried at the Ebenezer Cemetery in Charlotte.
Hilton is pictured (on left) in his UCV Commander’s uniform, along with an unidentified friend and comrade. This image was taken by photographer O.J. Rader in Charlotte, NC, as the two were off to the 1904 Confederate veteran reunion in Dallas, Texas.
Hilton was classically educated, attending the White Plain Academy in his youth. In 1859, he joined the Mecklenburg Dragoons, a newly formed militia company. When the unit disbanded at the start of the War, he became the youngest member of the Hornet’s Nest Rifles, later organized as a part of the 1st North Carolina Volunteers, and served in the first battle at Big Bethel in June of 1861.
When the “Bethel Regiment” disbanded at the conclusion of their six months’ service, Hilton returned to Charlotte. On February 2, 1862, he enlisted as a Private in the Mecklenburg Rangers - Company C, 9th Regiment North Carolina Troops (also known as the 1st North Carolina Cavalry).
His talent and zeal was immediately noticed by his superiors. In an account during the Seven Day’s campaign, just after the battle of Malvern Hill, it was said that Hilton “… was on picket duty at daybreak, armed only with an Enfield rifle, when he saw four bluecoats advancing, whom he instantly hailed and demanded their surrender, meanwhile calling to imaginary comrades in the woods. The stratagem succeeded, and at his request the four infantry men gave up their guns and marched into the Confederate camp as prisoners. The gallant Barringer, Captain of the squadron and afterward General, was astounded at this piece of cool bravery, and Hilton was ordered to report to headquarters, where he was asked what reward he desired. He modestly expressed himself as satisfied with his position as a private, but made known his desire to become an independent scout.”
His request was granted, and Hilton spent the remainder of the War on detached service to Cavalry headquarters as a scout and courier, initially to Wade Hampton and later to Rooney Lee.
Hilton was twice wounded during the War, and once captured. According to the story, “while bearing messages near Petersburg, with… a guide and an attendant, he was surrounded and captured, June 21, 1864. He made a gallant attempt to escape, riding at full speed under a rattling fire, only to run into the guns of another body of the enemy who compelled his surrender.” He ultimately was sent to Point Lookout, and later exchanged on November 14, 1864. He returned to his command in January of 1865, and continued on through the Appomattox Campaign. He did not surrender with the Army, however, making his way into North Carolina. Hilton finally surrendered and was paroled on May 20, 1865.
After the War, Hilton married and started a family. He resided in Charlotte, where he farmed, but he demanded more of himself. He put himself to the task of studying law, and was appointed as a justice of the peace, then as a county magistrate, and finally a Judge of the Mecklenburg County Court, where he was affectionately known as “Squire Hilton.”
Additionally, Hilton served as a member of the Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners and Board of Alderman. Aside from his political and judicial activities, Hilton was a member of the Tryon Street Methodist Church, the Phalanx Masonic Lodge, and a member of the Mecklenburg Camp of the United Confederate Veterans, where he served for a number of years as Commander.
Hilton died on March 1, 1913, at the age of sixty-eight. He is buried at the Ebenezer Cemetery in Charlotte.
Hilton is pictured (on left) in his UCV Commander’s uniform, along with an unidentified friend and comrade. This image was taken by photographer O.J. Rader in Charlotte, NC, as the two were off to the 1904 Confederate veteran reunion in Dallas, Texas.
Creator
O.J. Rader, Charlotte, N.C.
Date
1904
Contributor
Fred D. Taylor Collection
Files
Citation
O.J. Rader, Charlotte, N.C., “Samuel Harrison Hilton,” Tar Heel Faces, accessed April 28, 2024, https://tarheelfaces.omeka.net/items/show/145.
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