Civil War – Page 6 – Military Images

September 14, 2013January 3, 2024

Finding Aid: May/June 2012

The complete issue

Vol. XXXI, No. 6
(40 pages)

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Inside

Cover image
Ambrotype of eight soldiers thought to be members of the Confederate 20^th Tennessee Infantry at Rock Island Prison during the winter of 1863-1864. Additional details and information about the image appear on page 38, and a profile of the regiment can be found on pages 28-31. The image is credited to the Battle of Franklin Battlefield Trust.

Inside Front Cover Image
Bugler Roy Jackson, Troop I, 6^th U.S. Cavalry, at Fort Meade, S.D., April 6, 1906. Jackson holds a Model 1892 bugle in this image from the Chris Nelson collection.

Table of Contents (p. 1)

Editor’s Desk (p. 2)
The editor observes that Civil War photo exhibits have always been popular, and notes the April 2, 2013, opening of Photography and the American Civil War at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. A selection of images from the exhibit is featured in the issue. The editor also notes the passing of legendary militaria dealer, collector, historian, author and longtime MI subscriber and contributor Norm Flayderman on May 23, 2013.

Enoch Long: Benton Barracks Photographer by Kevin Canberg (pp. 3-5)
The work of St. Louis photographer Enoch Long is well known by the distinctive painted canvas backdrop he used to frame his soldier portraits. Five examples of Long’s work are featured here, including the author’s portrait of Long himself seated in front of the backdrop, and four other images from the Library of Congress collections.

In the Spotlight (pp. 6-21)
A total of 25 “Images from the Collections of our Readers” includes a range of subjects and time periods. Union soldiers and sailors are featured in 12 of the images, and 6 are Confederates. Two are of unknown origin, and the rest of the images are soldiers photographed after the Civil War.

The Civil War Comes To The Met (pp. 22-27)
To mark the occasion of the blockbuster exhibit, Photography and the American Civil Q&A’s with curator Jeff Rosenheim, MI senior editor Michael J. McAfee and contributing editor David W. Vaughan shed light on how the exhibit came together. Both McAfee and Vaughan were lenders and consultants. Rosenheim noted in response to the question of how The Met decided to mount such an exhibit, “The belief that the medium of photography transformed the war and that the war transformed the medium of photography in interesting ways. Among other things, it established a visual tradition that defined American photography for the next 150 years.” The story is illustrated by seven images from the exhibit.

Desolation & Despair by D.A. Serrano (pp. 28-31)
The discovery of a rare outdoor ambrotype of Confederates provides the impetus for this story. Author Serrano notes, “Recently, an image of several Confederates purportedly taken at Rock Island Prison has come to light and with it a story of one of the most traveled, hardest fought regiments in the Army of the Tennessee, the 20^th Tennessee Volunteer Infantry.” The story profiles the respected regiment and includes portraits of six of its members, Pvt. William G. Bryant, Capt. Theodrick “Todd” Carter, Maj. Fred C. Claybrooke, Capt. William G. Gwin, Pvt. John Pritchard and Brig. Gen. Thomas Benton Smith.

Uniforms & History by Michael J. McAfee (p. 32)
In “What’s in a Picture? (Or Look Closely!),” the author reflects on his recent eBay purchase of a carte de visite of an unidentified member of the 13^th New York Heavy Artillery. He was inspired to bid on the image because the Hardee hat sitting on a small table next to the soldiers had its normally upturned brim unpinned, and the pin was still attached to the hat body—an unusual detail to be found in an image from this period. Once McAfee had the image in hand, he noticed a number of other surprising details.

Vignette from the Naval War, 1861-65 by Ron Field (p. 33)
In “U.S. Navy Pig,” Field examines a carte de visite by American photographer Villroy L. Richardson of about 50 seamen and one pig photographed off Lima, Peru, after 1862. Field describes the uniforms and activities of the men, and speculates that the pig may have been a mascot or more likely a source of fresh meat for the crew.

The Confederate Soldier (p. 34)
The colonel of the 4^th Tennessee Cavalry, Baxter Smith (1832-1919) is shown full standing in this image from the John Sickles collection. Smith was captured on May 9, 1863, near the Caney Fork River in Tennessee, imprisoned at Johnson’s Island, Ohio, and exchanged in February 1865.

Six From Sickles by John Sickles (pp. 35-37)
A series of vignettes of Confederates includes John Van Horn of Spencer’s North Carolina Partisans and the 42^nd North Carolina Infantry, John Ross of the 1^st Mississippi Partisan Rangers (later the 7^th Mississippi Cavalry), Frank P. Peak of Byrne’s Battery (attached to John H. Morgan’s cavalry), Henry H. Curry of the 2^nd Kentucky Cavalry and T.L. Kendall of the 1^st Confederate Cavalry.

The Last Shot (p. 40)
Frank Battle of the 20^th Tennessee Infantry was the son of the regiment’s colonel, and three of his brothers served alongside him. He distinguished himself in combat at the Battle of Stone’s River and went on to raise a company of cavalry for service under Gen. Joseph Wheeler. Battle was captured in Wilson County, Tenn., on July 29, 1863, and confined at Johnson’s Island, Ohio, until exchanged in February 1865. He ended the war with Nathan Bedford Forrest’s cavalry, and later became a bounty hunter for the state of Tennessee.

Inside Back Cover
In this image from the Chris Nelson collection, Spanish American War dead troops are laid to rest. Their identities are painted on the ends of flag covered coffins.

Back Cover
A carte de visite from the Steve Karnes collection pictured men from the 26^th New York Cavalry, also known as the “Frontier Cavalry,” on a Malone, N.Y., street. The regiment was organized in response to a daring Confederate raid on St. Albans, Vt., in the fall of 1864. The 26^th was composed of troops from New York, Massachusetts and Vermont. An inscription on the back notes, “Frontier Cavalry Mass. Boys the day they left Malone to be mustered out, June 28, 1865.”

September 10, 2013January 3, 2024

Finding Aid: March/April 2012

The complete issue

Vol. XXXI, No. 5
(40 pages)

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Digital edition: Visit JSTOR.org to purchase
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Inside

Cover image
An unidentified member of Company A of the 74^th New York Infantry posed for this carte de visite portrait in the Marty Schoenfeld collection. The 74^th was one of five regiments that composed the famed Excelsior Brigade of the Army of the Potomac.

Inside Front Cover Image
A drummer from an unidentified regiment is the subject of this carte de visite portrait by F.L. Stuber’s Gallery of Bethlehem, Pa. It is part of the collection of Michael J. McAfee.

Table of Contents (p. 1)

Editor’s Desk (p. 2)
Editor David Neville introduces this Zouave-themed issue and thanks all the contributors who participated.

Passing in Review (p. 3)
David Neville recommends two recent books, African American Faces of the Civil War (The Johns Hopkins University Press) by Ronald S. Coddington, and Lincoln’s Senior Generals: Photographs and Biographical Sketches of the Major Generals of the Union Army (Schiffer Publishing) by Thomas Glass.

Zouaves from the Collections of Our Readers (pp. 4-23)
A total of 36 images of Zouaves are included in this gallery of images contributed by magazine readers. Included is an albumen print of a soldier standing with saber and knapsack from the Dale Snair collection, Corp. Harry D. Anthony of the 23^rd Pennsylvania Infantry (Birney’s Zouaves) from the Ed Max collection, a youngster attired in a complete uniform from the Ken Turner collection, Pvt. John Tate of the 76^th Pennsylvania Infantry (Keystone Zouaves) from the Ed Max collection and Kady C. Brownell, a vivandière who went off to war with her husband, Robert S. Brownell of the 1^st Rhode Island Detached Militia. The Brownell image is part of the Ron Field collection.

Mystery Zouaves! by Michael J. McAfee (pp. 24-25)
The author reflects on his boyhood in southeast Ohio and an image of a group of Dayton (Ohio) Zouave Rangers engaged in a mock battle that belonged to the Campus Martius Museum in Marietta, Ohio. The image and other artifacts were stolen from the museum in the 1970s only to turn up in the Liljenquist Family Collection donated to the Library of Congress. McAfee wonders, “What do our readers think of this coincidence?”

And Numbered They Lie with the Great Union Dead by Scott Valentine (pp. 26-27)
Profiles of two officers who served in the 165^th New York Infantry, also known as the Second Battalion Duryea’s Zouaves. 2^nd Lt. Robert Carville and Lt. Col. Abel Smith Jr. participated in the failed assault against the Confederate defenses of Port Hudson, La., on May 27, 1863. Carville was killed outright, and Smith suffered a mortal wound. Carville became the subject of a patriotic poem penned by his brother-in-law, Valentine Mott Francis, M.D.

Uniforms & History by Michael J. McAfee (pp. 30-37)
In What Is a Zouave? (Part Two!), McAfee notes that he first wrote about Zouaves for MI back in the September-October 1979 issue. This second installment provides new information and includes four unique groupings, each composed of three cartes de visite, of Zouave images that highlight various aspects of the uniform. “Zouave Cadet Imitators” showcases soldiers in uniforms described as “knock-offs” of the gaudy Zouave style. “French Style Uniforms” features portraits of men in uniforms that closely approximate the French style. “Modified French Uniforms” show examples of common enhancements. “Zouaves of a Different Color” is a collection of lesser-known organizations.

A Few More Zouaves (p. 39)
Two cartes de visite are portraits of a member of the Sprague Zouave Cadets, which were part of the 7^th Ohio Infantry (Dale Snair collection) and a post-Civil War image of a pair of Zoauve-attired officers who served in the 1^st National Guard of New York (Michael J. McAfee collection).

The Last Shot (p. 40)
A Union soldier wears the uniform jacket cut in the Zouave-style. Hanging next to him on a chair is a large knife. The carte de visite portrait is from the Dale Snair collection.

Inside Back Cover
More Zouaves portraits include two cartes de visite from the Ed Max collection, an unidentified member of the 95^th Pennsylvania Infantry, or Goslin’s Zouaves, and an unknown Zouave drummer. A hard plate image from the Dale Snair collection is a Zouave who may have been a member of Elmer Ellsworth’s United States Zouave Cadets. A carte de visite from the Michael J. McAfee collection is a Zouave who served in the 23^rd Pennsylvania Infantry, also known as Birney’s Zoauves.

Back Cover
Pvt. Henry Lyons was wounded in the leg on July 2, 1863, at the Battle of Gettysburg. He served in the 114^th Pennsylvania Infantry, also known as Collis’ Zouaves. The carte de visite is part of the Ed Max collection.

September 9, 2013January 3, 2024

Finding Aid: January/February 2012

The complete issue

Vol. XXXI, No. 4
(40 pages)

Print edition: Visit our store to check availability
Digital edition: Visit JSTOR.org to purchase
Subscribe to MI
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Inside

Cover image
A Confederate soldier dressed in a frock coat and a Mississippi waist belt. The sixth-plate ambrotype is from the Brian Boeve collection.

Table of Contents (p. 1)

Editor’s Desk (p. 2)
The editor thanks everyone who responded to MI’s call for Zouave images and announces that the next issue “will feature many fine images of these hard-fighting, colorfully-clad soldiers.”

Front and Back cover details (p. 3)
Additional information is provided about the images pictured on the front and back covers.

The Photograph Album of Commissary Sergeant Oscar Sowles, 37^th Illinois Volunteer Infantry by James J. Hennessey (pp. 4-15)
A total of 23 images, all cartes de visite, from an album kept by W. Oscar Sowles (1838-1881) of Wauconda, Ill. He enlisted in Company C of the 37^th and served as commissary sergeant and quartermaster for his entire enlistment. Sowles, also spelled Soules, was wounded in 1863 after the pistol he was cleaning accidently discharged, resulting in the loss of a finger. Included in the collection is an image of John Charles Black, who served as colonel of the regiment, and Adolphus Simons, who served as its principle musician.

In Search of Randolph Clausen, Medal of Honor Recipient, U.S. Navy by Robert Anstine (pp. 16-17)
An image believed to be Lt. Claus Kristian Randolph Clausen (1869-1958) illustrates a biographical sketch of the Danish-born navy officer who served in the U.S. navy during the Spanish-American War and World War I. Clausen was awarded the nation’s highest military honor for extraordinary heroism during the night of June 2-3, 1898. He and seven others volunteered to block the entrance to Santiago Harbor, Cuba, by sinking the Merrimac. The mission failed without achieving its objective. Clausen and his mates fell into enemy hands and were released a month later after the destruction of the Spanish Armada.

The “Sons of Auld Scotia:” Scottish Military Units of the Civil War Period by Ron Field (pp. 18-25)
According to the author, “Approximately 600,000 Scots emigrated to the United States between 1851 and 1861 bringing with them a rich military tradition. Militia companies of Scottish origin wearing full Highland uniforms were formed both in Northern and Southern states, including Massachusetts, New York, Illinois and South Carolina.” What follows is an accounting of Scottish companies and regiments, illustrated with 10 photographs, an engraving and an advertisement. One of the images showcased in a carte de visite of a sergeant from the 79^th New York Infantry from the collection of Michael J. McAfee.

Colonel George L. Willard, Gettysburg Casualty (p. 26)
Willard, the colonel and commander of the 125^th New York Infantry, was milled in action on July 2, 1863, while in command of the 3^rd Brigade, 3^rd Division, 2^nd Army Corps.

The 157^th New York Infantry at Gettysburg: A Costly Endeavor by Steven Karnes (p. 27)
An accounting of the regiment’s near annihilation on July 1, 1863, when 309 of 409 of its members became casualties when they faced 1,300 Georgians in a fight along Carlisle/Biglerville Rd. The narrative is illustrated by an eight-plate tintype of unidentified soldier who served in Company I of the 157^th.

Our Glorious Cause (pp. 28-32)
A gallery of five hard-plate images of Confederate soldiers from the Brian Boeve collection is prefaced by a verse from the song The Southern Soldier Boy. Two of the images are identified, Pvt. Mims Walker of the 4^th Alabama Infantry and Pvt. Kenneth McIntosh of the 6^th Tennessee Infantry.

The Confederate Soldier (p. 33)
James Monroe Edwards served in the 4^th and 12^th Georgia cavalries and survived the war. He settled in Ringgold, Ga., after the end of hostilities, married and raised three sons. He died in 1911.

Uniforms & History by Michael J. McAfee (pp. 34-38)
In “The Frock: Part One,” McAfee examines the ubiquitous uniform coat and explains how it earned its reputation for economy, comfort and uniformity. The text is illustrated by eight cartes de visite of soldiers wearing interesting variations on the standard frock.

Sutler’s Row (p. 39)

The Last Shot (p. 40)
Maj. Thomas H. Hartmus (1835-1903) was a cotton broker in Memphis, Tenn., before the war began. He enlisted in the 34^th Tennessee Infantry (Confederate) and served as a staff officer to Gen. William Bate. Hartmus participated in the battles of Jones Station, Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, Franklin and Nashville and the Atlanta Campaign. He was paroled at Greensboro, N.C., in May 1865.

Inside Back Cover
Three portraits of men who served in the 37^th Illinois Infantry from the collection of Stephen Burgess include 1^st Lt. Henry Curtis Jr. of Company A, Capt. Lorenzo B. Morey of Company A and Capt. George R. Bell of Company G.

Back Cover
An undated cabinet card from the John Sickles collection pictures a group of Hatfield’s (from the famous Hatfield-McCoy feud). Standing at the far left is Confederate veteran William Anderson “Devil Anse” Hatfield.

August 22, 2013December 16, 2013

Announcement of the Sale of MI in the Civil War News

Transcribed from the latest issue of the print edition:

Ron Coddington Is New Military Images Publisher

ARLINGTON, VA.—Historian David Neville, who owned and edited Military Images magazine since 2003, sold it to Ronald S. Coddington of Arlington in early August.

Coddington, who is familiar to Civil War News readers as the author of “Faces of War,” took over as publisher and editor immediately.

Noting the magazine’s long tradition of excellence in bringing to light rare military portrait photographs, Coddington said, “I am thrilled and honored to have the opportunity to guide MI to the next chapter in its life.”

He said, “The magazine continues to play a key role in preserving the visual record and stories of citizen soldiers in America, and is a key source for information about uniforms and other aspects of the military.”

Coddington said, “In the current digital age, with so much new material surfacing, it is more important than ever to have a publication that showcases and interprets these important images.”

Harry Roach founded the Military Images in 1979. He set a mission to document the photographic history of U.S. soldiers and sailors from the birth of photography in 1839 through World War I, although the vast majority of published images date from the Civil War Period.

Roach sold the magazine in 1999 to Phillip Katcher, from whom Neville purchased it four years later.

Regular contributors to MI include some of the most knowledgable collectors in the country, including Michael J. McAfee, John Sickles, Chris Nelson, David Wynn Vaughan, Ron Field and Ken Turner.

Coddington said he is excited to continue working with all of the MI contributors and invites new faces with a passion for military photograhy to participate.

He may be contacted at militaryimages@gmail.com or militaryimagesmagazine.com

August 12, 2013December 16, 2013

MI Changes Ownership After a Decade

Coddington, left, and Neville shake hands after signing the purchase agreement on August 10, 2013, at Neville's home outside Pittsburgh, Pa. — Coddington, left, and Neville after signing the purchase agreement at Neville’s home outside Pittsburgh, Pa.

Historian David Neville has stepped aside after a decade at the helm of Military Images. Neville, who has owned and edited the publication since 2003, sold the magazine to Ronald S. Coddington of Arlington, Va., on August 10, 2013.

Coddington is a contributing author to the New York Times Disunion series. He also writes “Faces of War,” a regular column in the Civil War News, and has authored three books published by the Johns Hopkins University Press. His latest volume, African American Faces of the Civil War: An Album, was released last year.

Coddington takes over as publisher and editor of MI immediately. “Military Images has a long tradition of excellence in bringing to light rare military portrait photographs, and I am thrilled and honored to have the opportunity to guide MI to the next chapter in its life,” reports Coddington. He adds, “The magazine continues to play a key role in preserving the visual record and stories of citizen soldiers in America, and is a key source for information about uniforms and other aspects of the military. In the current digital age, with so much new material surfacing, it is more important than ever to have a publication that showcases and interprets these important images.”

Harry Roach founded the magazine in 1979. He set a mission to document the photographic history of U.S. soldiers and sailors from the birth of photography in 1839 through World War I, although the vast majority of published images date from the Civil War period. Roach sold the magazine in 1999 to Philip Katcher, from whom Neville purchased it four years later.

Regular contributors to MI include some of the most respected and knowledgeable collectors in the country, including Michael J. McAfee, John Sickles, Chris Nelson, David Wynn Vaughan, Ron Field, and Ken Turner.

“I’m excited to continue working with all of our contributors, and to invite new faces with a passion for military photography to participate,” notes Coddington, who can be contacted at militaryimages@gmail.com or militaryimagesmagazine.com.