Samuel P. Cox (December 16, 1828 – August 21, 1913) was an American businessman and soldier who is best remembered as the commander of the Union troops who killed "Bloody Bill" Anderson at the Battle of Albany, during the American Civil War.

He worked for Russell, Majors and Waddell as a wagon master during the Utah War in 1858–59.

[1] On September 27, 1864, Anderson's troops seeking to assist Price's Raid, a Confederate attempt to retake Missouri in the Civil War, killed more than 100 in the Centralia Massacre.

Union soldiers were scalped, mutilated, and shot at point-blank range while unarmed, prompting an all-out effort to pursue Anderson.

[7] On December 7, 1869, two men (reported to be Frank and Jesse James) robbed the Daviess County Savings Association Bank and in the process shot the cashier John W. Sheets in the head and heart.

Jesse sent a letter to the Kansas City Times saying that he was innocent and could prove he was not in the area.

They initially maintained their innocence and Jesse acknowledged the horse left in Gallatin was his but that he had sold it earlier.

Eventually the James withdrew their defenses and allowed Smoote to take possession of the horse used in the robbery.

[10] Cox was reported to have been in California in 1869 visiting his parents and did not return until 1870 when he continued to operate other business including a hotel, livery and a different mercantile until formally retiring in 1871.