Samuel Byrd

Samuel Carson "Cass" Byrd (May 3, 1842 - May 12, 1928) served as a corporal in Company B, 13th Tennessee Volunteer Cavalry.



Personal life
Samuel Byrd was born May 3, 1842 in Yancey County, North Carolina to George Washington and Betsy Jane (Phillips) Byrd. He married Martha Everline Aldridge (1848-1928) with whom he had thirteen children.

Civil War service
Byrd first enlisted as a private in Company B, 58th North Carolina Infantry on May 17, 1862 at Camp Jackson in Rock Creek, North Carolina for the duration of the war and mustered in June 16, 1862 in Bakersville, North Carolina. He deserted at Bells Bridge, Tennessee on July 24, 1863.

Changing his allegiance, Byrd next enlisted as a private in Company B, 13th Tennessee Cavalry on September 23, 1863 in Knoxville, Tennessee for a period of three years and mustered in February 24, 1864 at Nashville, Tennessee. He was appointed corporal on June 1, 1865.

He is described as 22 years old, 5' 10" tall, fair complexion, blue eyes, fair hair, and by occupation a farmer.

Byrd is listed as present for duty throughout his term of service for which muster roll records have survived.

Byrd mustered out with the regiment on September 5, 1865 at Knoxville. He had last been paid to August 31, 1864, owed $26.60 to the government for clothing, had been paid a $25 bounty, and was owed a $75 bounty.

Post-war life
Byrd applied for an invalid's pension on June 2, 1887. He died May 12, 1928 in Valle Crucis, North Carolina and is buried at Byrd Cemetery in Watauga County, North Carolina. His wife applied for a widow's pension on May 26, 1928.