Were, I think, brothers. Both enlisted at the same time, Nov. 16, 1861. Natives of Ohio; residents of Rising Sun, Polk County. Samuel was eighteen, and Joel twenty-eight years of age.
Samuel Foster died Jan. 29, 1864, at Vicksburg, Miss., of disease. "An excellent little soldier," says Lieutenant Reese Wilkins; "he fought like a hero." And Captain A. G. Studer says: —
"A good, honest, sturdy soldier; one of the real yeomanry. Never flinching; did not know fear; faithful, obedient; ever ready and willing to perform his duties when and wherever required. He fought bravely at Shiloh. After that battle he was taken very ill, and his life was despaired of for some time. After the evacuation of Corinth he recovered, and took part in all the marches, sieges, and duties of the regiment, up to a few days previous to his death. He was sick but a short time, and died at the hospital at Vicksburg, Miss., Jan. 29,1864, of chronic diarrhoea. At Corinth, Oct. 3, 1862, he was conspicuous for his brave and stubborn fighting. On the march he never straggled. His loss was severely felt and cordially lamented in the company."
Joel Foster was discharged June 13, 1862, at Corinth, Miss., for disability, and died at home after a lingering illness.
"A very good man," says Captain Studer; "and if health had permitted, would have made an efficient soldier. He was kind and amiable in his disposition. He did little duty in the army, on account of almost continual illness. He left a wife and child."
SOURCE: Leonard Brown, American Patriotism: Or, Memoirs Of Common Men, p. 226-7
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