Possible Backstory of an Early War Union Officer
Carte de visite by an anonymous photographer. The lines around the eyes of this unidentified soldier and his somewhat wrinkled hands indicate that he may have been in his late 30s—easily 10 or more years older than the average enlistment age of 26. The way he wears his shirt collar over his uniform collar, and the style and texture of the mount suggest this was taken very early during the war, perhaps in 1861. His single-breasted uniform coat, shoulder straps and sword indicate he was a second lieutenant of infantry. I’ve researched portraits of identified soldiers with similar characteristics and have often found two common backstories connected to them. One is that the officer was prominent in his community—a mill supervisor, an attorney or doctor, or a man of of wealth and family connections—who helped organize a local infantry company. The other possibility is that he had served in the Mexican War, had been educated at a military school or served in town militia. In either scenario, it is likely he would have been recognized with an officer’s commission.
Oh, on a side note, if you are interested in uniform-making, observe the stitching on the edge of his frock coat.
Possible Backstory of an Early War Union Officer
Carte de visite by an anonymous photographer. The lines around the eyes of this unidentified soldier and his somewhat wrinkled hands indicate that he may have been in his late 30s—easily 10 or more years older than the average enlistment age of 26. The way he wears his shirt collar over his uniform collar, and the style and texture of the mount suggest this was taken very early during the war, perhaps in 1861. His single-breasted uniform coat, shoulder straps and sword indicate he was a second lieutenant of infantry. I’ve researched portraits of identified soldiers with similar characteristics and have often found two common backstories connected to them. One is that the officer was prominent in his community—a mill supervisor, an attorney or doctor, or a man of of wealth and family connections—who helped organize a local infantry company. The other possibility is that he had served in the Mexican War, had been educated at a military school or served in town militia. In either scenario, it is likely he would have been recognized with an officer’s commission.
Oh, on a side note, if you are interested in uniform-making, observe the stitching on the edge of his frock coat.