Samuel Fields
Encyclopedia
Samuel Fields was an African-American who claimed to have been a General in the Union Army
during the American Civil War
. After 1876, General Fields moved to Deadwood
, South Dakota
to seek his fortune. There he went by several nicknames—including "Nigger General" and "General Darkey"—but was commonly known as "General Fields". The man took no offense at racial epithets and regardless of his personal wealth at any moment, he referred to himself as a "sly-coon".
Samuel Fields's exploits were common fodder in local newspapers, such as the Black Hills Pioneer
.
On the HBO television series Deadwood
the character of Samuel Fields is played by Franklyn Ajaye
and rather loosely based on the real Samuel Fields.
Union Army
The Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. After 1876, General Fields moved to Deadwood
Deadwood, South Dakota
Deadwood is a city in South Dakota, United States, and the county seat of Lawrence County. It is named for the dead trees found in its gulch. The population was 1,270 according to a 2010 census...
, South Dakota
South Dakota
South Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States. It is named after the Lakota and Dakota Sioux American Indian tribes. Once a part of Dakota Territory, South Dakota became a state on November 2, 1889. The state has an area of and an estimated population of just over...
to seek his fortune. There he went by several nicknames—including "Nigger General" and "General Darkey"—but was commonly known as "General Fields". The man took no offense at racial epithets and regardless of his personal wealth at any moment, he referred to himself as a "sly-coon".
Samuel Fields's exploits were common fodder in local newspapers, such as the Black Hills Pioneer
Black Hills Pioneer
The Black Hills Pioneer, published by A. W. Merrick along with W. A. Laughlin, was the first newspaper in Deadwood, South Dakota. The newspaper continues to be published today, but has moved its offices to Spearfish, South Dakota....
.
On the HBO television series Deadwood
Deadwood (TV series)
Deadwood is an American Western drama television series created, produced and largely written by David Milch. The series aired on the premium cable network HBO from March 21, 2004, to August 27, 2006, spanning three 12-episode seasons. The show is set in the 1870s in Deadwood, South Dakota, before...
the character of Samuel Fields is played by Franklyn Ajaye
Franklyn Ajaye
Franklyn Ajaye is an American stand-up comedian. His nickname is "The Jazz Comedian" as he also played jazz for a time earlier in his entertainment career. His name is sometimes alternatively spelled Franklin Ajaye.-Biography:...
and rather loosely based on the real Samuel Fields.