Samuel Haddock, pictured here later in life in his GAR uniform, enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on the 3rd of June, 1861, at Philadelphia, Pa. He is noted as being about 25 years of age, 5 feet 6 1/2 inches tall, having light blue eyes, dark hair, a dark complexion, and by occupation a weaver when he enlisted. He also gave his place of birth as the State of New York, which was not true, and his age was actually 21.
After enlisting Sam was sent to the Washington Barracks for training and assignment. Sam's assigned ship, the USS Rhode Island, was still being outfitted when the call went out for all troops to prepare for battle in July, 1861. Confederate General P.G.T. Beauregard and 23,000 had occupied Manassas,VA an important rail junction 26 miles outside Washington. The rest of the Rebel Army was 70 miles away in Harpers Ferry,VA.
In perspective the Marine Corps of 1861 consisted of 48 officers and 2,338 enlisted men, many untested, including officers who saw 20 of their ranks resign to join the Confederacy. Many of the seasoned Marines were stationed aboard ships at sea or in foreign ports.
Under the command of Major John G. Reynolds the Marine Battalion, consisting of four companies of eighty men each, marched out of Washington on the afternoon of July 16, 1861. Major Renolds, an experienced officer of thirty-five years, had good cause for concern as he marched that afternoon. In his Battalion of 320 privates, 12 officers, 17 NCO's, 2 drummers, and 2 fifes, only 16 had any significant previous experience.
The Marines were assigned temporary field service under Brigadier General Irvin McDowell and attached to Colonel Andrew Porter's Brigade of the 2nd Division. The Brigade munbered 3,700 men, including a militia unit from NY, the 8th New York; two volunteer regiments, the 14th NY, and the 27th NY; a battalion of Army regulars; a cavalry unit; and an Army artillery battery from the 5th US Artillery commanded by Captain Charles Griffin.