The complete issue
Vol. XVIII, No. 4
(40 pages)
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Inside
Cover image
A sixth-plate tintype from the Coby Mack Collection pictures three Yank tipplers at the officers’ mess enjoying a break from endless rounds of drill.
Editor’s Desk (p. 3)
The editor notes work on the Irish Brigade monument at Antietam, Ron Tunison’s medallion bust of Gen. Meagher and new mailing software.
Mail Call (p. 5)
Letters include feedback about hospitals, glass plate negatives, postal issues and “Uncommon Cavalrymen.”
Passing in Review (pp. 6-7)
Five publications are mentioned, including American Civil War Confederate Army (Brassey’s Inc.) by Ron Field, Bentonville: The Final Battle of Sherman and Johnston (University of North Carolina Press) by Nathaniel Cheairs Hughes, Jr., The Alabama and the Kearsarge: The Sailor’s Civil War (University of North Carolina Press) by William Marvel, Photographer Under Fire: The Story of George S. Cook (Historical Resources Press) by Jack C. Ramsay, Jr. and Civil War Firearms (Combined Books) by Joseph G. Bilby.
The Philadelphia National Guards: Antebellum company of uniformed militia by James Durkin (pp. 8-9)
A brief history of the militia company that became a regiment that mustered into federal service during the Civil War as the 19th Pennsylvania Infantry is illustrated with portraits of John T. Durang before and during the war. He was seriously wounded at Gettysburg.
A Search Through Time: Charles Mitchell, Kentucky Confederate soldier by Richard Staley (pp. 10-11)
The author relates his experience on the research trail, hunting for information about a soldier identified in a portrait photograph as Charles B. Mitchell.
“Shell Fever” & Other Zouaves: An album of U.S. troops in baggy trousers by Brian Pohanka, et al (pp.12-17)
A survey of 20 portraits from the collections of our readers highlights the wide variety of Zouave-inspired fashions worn by soldiers as late as 1910.
Uniforms & History by Michael J. McAfee (pp. 18, 35)
In “8th Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteer Militia,” McAfee explores the history and uniforms of this hybrid Zouave regiment. The text is illustrated with a portrait of an enlisted man from the regiment.
George Henry Stevens, Orderly Sergeant, Company B, Milwaukee Light Guard: Winner of Milwaukee’s antebellum drill competition by Alan D. Gaff (p. 19)
A description of how Stevens won the competition is also a lesson in drills of the antebellum period. Stevens went on to fight in the Civil War with the 2nd Wisconsin Infantry and suffered a mortal wound in the fighting at McPherson’s Woods at Gettysburg.
Harpers Ferry to Peking: Journeys of a 19th century soldier, Augustus Corliss by Chris Nelson (pp. 20-30)
The story of “Augie” Corliss spans from 1861 to 1904 and includes numerous anecdotes and life details. The text is illustrated with ten photographs and artworks of Corliss, and images of his cap, coat, revolver and a post-Civil War badge.
The Frozen Prairie: Winter tragedies in Minnesota by Roger Norland (pp. 31-32)
A well-known portrait of Benjamin Franklin of the 2nd Minnesota Cavalry illustrates a story of how he came to lose his legs to frostbite. Also included is an image of Franklin before he lost his legs.
Light & Shadow by Sam Tucibat and Scott Cross (p. 33)
In “The Wet Plate Process Enters the Computer Age,” the authors explain how photos can be retouched using a powerful application by Adobe called “Photoshop.”
The Auction Block (p. 34)
Latest auction news.
Captain Bob’s Caveat Emptorium (p.35)
The Captain tries to pull a fast one over readers with an almost genuine Zouave image.
Stragglers (pp. 36-37)
Solo photos of the odd and unusual from the collections of our readers includes nine Confederate portraits.
Sutler’s Row (pp. 38-40)
Back cover
A sixth-plate tintype from the Michael Albanese Collection pictures a soldier posing with a mug, an apple on a tin plate, and an unknown morsel on the end of his fork.
