The complete issue
Vol. XXII, No. 6
(40 pages)
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Inside
Cover image
A photo from the Keith Brady collection pictures the U.S. Revenue Marine Service cutter Agassiz firing a salute in the harbor of New Bedford, Mass.
Table of Contents (p. 1)
Mail Call (pp. 2-3)
Feedback includes an image identification, congratulations on the quality of recent issues, a recommendation for a weapons series and a correction.
Passing in Review (pp. 4-5)
Four publications are reviewed, including Photographer, A Sourcebook for Historical Research (Carl Mautz Publishing) by Peter E. Palmquist, Potomac Diary, A Soldier’s Account of the Capital in Crisis, 1864-65 (Tempus Publishing) by Marc Newman, Eye of the Storm: The Drawings of Private Robert Knox Sneden and The Great War of Destruction (Pentland Press, Inc.) by Russell G. LeVan.
The Auction Block (pp. 6-8)
A sampling of sales from the popular auction site eBay is included.
The Revenue Cutter Marine Service: ‘Coasties’ of the Civil War (pp. 9-14)
The forerunner of the U.S. Coast Guard during the Civil War was the U.S. Revenue Marne Cutter Service. After a shaky start, losing a number of cutters to the Confederates, the service grew to perform real service for the Union. The text is illustrated by a dozen images. Identified portraits include Lt. Samuel B. Moose of the Agassiz, S. Phillips of the Wayanda, 1st Lt. James M. Selden of the Jefferson Davis and the Joseph Lane, 2nd Lt. Jerry J. Benson of the Forward and Lt. J.D. Pearson.
‘Cherish His Memory…’ by Bill McFarland (p. 15)
Lt. Col. John Gibson Taylor of the 2nd Mississippi Battalion was mortally wounded at the Battle of White Oak Swamp on June 30, 1862. The nephew of Col. Joseph Taylor and late President Zachary Taylor, his death was widely mourned and he was remembered as a gallant and skilled officer.
The Unlucky XI Corps Regiment: The 107th Ohio Volunteer Infantry by Chris Nelson (pp. 16-20)
“The 107th Ohio was tarred by an anti-foreigner brush unfairly after two unlucky battles,” notes the author in reference to the battles of Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. The performance of the regiments and other aspects of its organization and life are detailed in text and illustrated with ten portraits. Identified men include Lt. Phillip Wang of Company H, a man believed to be Sgt. Joseph Decowry of Company I, Sgt. Maj. Conrad Deubel, Sutler Depast, Musician John Flory of Company C and 1st Lt. Phillip P. Groeshart of Company I.
Hong Neok Woo of the 50th Pennsylvania: A Union Hidden Dragon (pp. 21-22)
A carte de visite from the Dr. Thomas P. Lowry collection is believed to be Hong Neok Woo (1834-1919), a native of Antowtson, China, who served in the 50th Pennsylvania Infantry. His life and military service is detailed here.
The 12th South Carolina Volunteer Infantry by John Mills Bigham (pp. 23-24)
A brief history of the regiment, which served in Gen. Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia from April 1862 to April 1865, is illustrated with portraits of three of its members: Lt. John W. Delleney of Company C, Col. Caldwallader Jones Jr. and Capt. John Herman Kinsler of Company D.
Union Army Rank Insignia: A Followup (p. 25)
Three images show a soldier with a pioneer insignia, Sgt. Maj. Loring, Commissary Sgt. Wheeler and Quartermaster Sgt. Thompson of the 32nd Massachusetts Infantry and a possible medical cadet.
Pieces of a Soldier’s Past by Paul S. Johnson (pp. 26-28)
The author reflects on the ecstasy experienced by the collector who is on the receiving end of a great find, and cites a case in point: The identification disc of young Pennsylvania soldier Franklin M. Lebo of the Keystone State’s 93rd Infantry. Lebo lost the disc in 1864, and Johnson found it in 1993. The following year he learned about a carte de visite of Lebo and eventually acquired it.
Bev Robertson Gets a CDV by Patrick A. Bowmaster (p. 29)
The only known unpublished picture of Confederate Brig. Gen. Beverly H. “Bev” Robertson in uniform appears here, along with a brief history of his life and military service.
The Search for Private Williams by John Sickles (p. 30)
The author explains how he traced a soldier named William H. Williams, posed with a carbine in front of a familiar backdrop, to a soldier by the same name who served in the 9th Iowa Cavalry.
Uniforms & History by Michael J. McAfee (pp. 31-32)
In “First Regiment, New York Marine Artillery 1861-1863,” McAfee shares the history and uniform details of this regiment also known as Howard’s Artillery and the Naval Brigade. Recruited from cities across the Northern states, the regiment served most of its enlistment on the coast of North Carolina. Four portraits illustrate the text, two of which are identified: Capt. Sylvester D. Nicholl and A.L. Castle.
Stragglers (pp. 33-37)
Portraits include Surg. William T. McAllister of the Provisional Army of the Confederate States, Michael Goldvogel of the 45th New York Infantry, French-born Baron Louis Asty de Rathier du Verge of the 30th Massachusetts Infantry, William Theodoutus “Odie” Capers of the Palmetto Sharpshooters, a possible photograph of Medal of Honor recipient Henry Blanchard Freeman of the 18th U.S. Infantry, N.F. Stewart and Pvt. Edward C. Clark of the 10th Rhode Island Infantry.
Sutler’s Row (pp. 38-39)
The Last Shot (p. 40)
A hard-plate image from the Roy Mantle collection features two Union swordsmen.
