On April 12, 1861,
Fort Sumter was fired on by southern rebels and
U.S. President Abraham Lincoln called for
75,000 volunteers to serve three months to put down the rebellion. At this time, Russel was living in
Pottsville, Pennsylvania and was a volunteer fireman with the Good Intent Fire Company. On April 17, 1861, Russel and the Washington Artillerists of Pottsville, Pennsylvania answered Lincoln's call. Their troop was also joined with the National Light Infantry of Pottsville, Pennsylvania, the Ringgold Light Artillery of
Reading, Pennsylvania, the Logan Guards of
Lewistown, Pennsylvania, and the Allen Infantry of
Allentown, Pennsylvania. These troops would forever be known as the
First Defenders. After ninety days, the men returned to Pennsylvania and mustered out on July 24, 1861. Russel rejoined the U.S. Army as a Second Lieutenant on September 23, 1861, joining Company C of the
96th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment. He was eventually promoted to Captain of Company H of the same regiment. Among others, Samuel was appointed to find a cannon. After obtaining it, the men melted brass and molded their own cannon. Since most were former firemen, they called themselves the Good Intent Light Artillery Company. ==Post-War life==