Samuel W. Blythe was born in Union County and resided in Mecklenburg County as a farmer when he enlisted in Company I at the age of 26 on October 22, 1861. He deserted on July 18, 1862, and returned to duty on October 18 of the same year. He was captured during the battle of Fredericksburg, Virginia, (December 13, 1862), and exchanged on December 17. He returned to duty in January-February 1863. Blythe was again captured at or near Gravel Hill, Virginia (July 28-29, 1864), and first confined at Point Lookout, Maryland. On August 8, 1864, he was transferred to Elmira, New York, where he died on September 20, 1864, of chronic diarrhea. Private Blythe is buried in the Woodlawn Cemetery, Elmira, New York.