Maine Minutiae : One Remarkable Woman

I found something extra good to post about today on Maine Minutiae. Our subject is the incredible Sarah S. Sampson. Before about 10 minutes ago and a couple of Google searches, I had never heard of this woman. There's an old saying that goes : I'd rather be lucky than good. In finding Mrs. Sampson, I was very lucky and I am thrilled that I was, good be damned. My space in this post is nowhere near enough to pay homage to a woman of this calibre, so please take the time to click all the links in the article. They tell a compelling story. Sarah Smith was born in 1832 in Bath, Maine and from that day forward, she was destined for greatness and a special place in the history of Maine and her country. On Valentine's Day, 1855, Sarah married Charles Sampson of Bath. This event would change the lives of many men, women and children throughout the US. Mainememory.net notes : "When the Civil War began, Sampson joined the 3rd Maine Regiment as a captain of Company D.

Sarah Smith Sampson decided to join her husband and the 3rd Maine Regiment -- and devote her attentions to caring for sick and wounded soldiers." With no formal training, Sarah Sampson volunteered to be on the front lines of the bloodiest conflict ever on American soil. In 1862, now-Lt. Col. Charles Sampson became ill and returned to Maine with Sarah. But Sarah was not to stay in Maine for long, as in 1864, she returned to the battlefields of the Civil War to care for the sick and wounded again. Murdoconline.net continues : "After the war, Sarah returned home and worked at what would later be known as the Bath Children’s Home, caring for orphans of soldiers and sailors." Did I mention that this was an extraordinary woman? Death came to Sarah Smith Sampson on December 22, 1907 and for her lifetime of unselfish and courageous service to the United States, Sarah was laid to rest in the most fitting of places for a true servant and patriot of her country, Arlington National Cemetary. See? I told you she was a remarkable woman.