"Capt. Samuel J. Simpson died on January 19. 1910, of heart failure, aged seventy-five years. A native of Warren County, Va., in the spring of 1861 he enlisted as a private in the first cavalry company raised in his county, which became Company E, 7th Virginia, and attached to Gen. Turner Ashby's famous command. At the reorganization for his soldierly qualities he was elected first lieutenant, and was later promoted to captain. He was an ideal 'beau sabre.' No odds deterred him; and while his courage often seemed recklessness, it was tempered with a cool head which no crisis disturbed, and his war record was second to none of his grade Gen. William E. Jones, his brigade commander, Said of him.
He was the best soldier I have ever seen, regular or volunteer. After the close of the war Captain Simpson beat his sword into a pruning hook and became a tiller of the soil, and his courage in peace was as great as in war. His inherent modesty was such that it was difficult to get him to speak of his achievements, as he considered his service only a compliance with the duty of every son of Virginia.
In private life his integrity knew no compromise, and his hospitality was never appealed to in vain. As a member of the Camp he was an ardent supporter of any measure tending to the comfort and interest of his old comrades, and in cases of their need he was foremost in contributing liberal aid in proportion to his means. He was buried beside his wife by the Camp, his pallbearers being selected from its members. The firing of three volleys over his grave was by a squad from Company D, 2d Virginia Regiment.
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