Sam Collyer (Walter Jamieson)

Rescued an officer and planted his flag upon an enemy fort.

Sam Collyer was a bare-knuckle boxer and the American Lightweight Champion. Born in France to Scottish parents, he immigrated to the United States as a boy and later served in the U.S. Army during the American Civil War.

Collyer stood 5 feet 5 ½ inches and weighed between 115 and 125 pounds. Despite his diminutive stature, he demonstrated immense courage on the battlefield. For his exceptional actions in 1864, he was recognized with the United States' highest military decoration.

He was officially presented with the Medal of Honor in 1898 for his wartime heroism. Following his military service, he returned to the civilian world, leaving behind a legacy as both a championship fighter and a decorated combat veteran.

Verified service: 139th New York Infantry, Company B (CMOHS recipient is Walter Jamieson). The CMOHS record for Walter Jamieson describes two 29 September 1864 acts at Petersburg and Fort Harrison. A local source links Jamieson to the boxing name Sam Collyer, but no primary record reviewed here proves the alias. Identity is unresolved; see research note.

Sources: https://www.cmohs.org/recipients/walter-jamieson