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The Spring 2025 Issue

A complete table of contents for the Spring 2025 issue of Military Images magazine, and information about how to purchase single issues and subscriptions.

Vol. XLIII, No. 2
(80 pages)

Print edition: Visit our store to check availability
Digital edition: Visit JSTOR.org to purchase
Subscribe or renew your subscription

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Inside

Cover
A tintype from the Dan Schwab Collection pictures Confederate Col. Evander Mciver Law recuperating from the wound he suffered at the First Battle of Manassas.

Table of Contents (p. 1)

Editor’s Desk (p. 2)
After Kolt Massie alerted me about a tintype picturing Evander M. Law recovering from his First Manassas wound, I reflected on the thrill of Civil War photography discoveries.

Mail Call (pp. 3-4)
Feedback includes an appreciation for John Walsh’s Fort Donelson feature, Kurt Luther’s Photo Sleuth column, Paul Russinoff’s story about a Michigan cavalryman, and more.

Military Anthropologist (p. 4)
A review of shot fractures of limbs in The Medical and Surgical History of the War of the Rebellion reveals the success rates of conservation, excision, and amputation.

Passing in Review (p. 6)
Righteous Strife by Richard Carwardine, published by Knopf Doubleday, explores how religious nationalism shaped Lincoln’s Union and the Civil War’s moral battles.

Photo Sleuth by Kurt Luther (pp. 8-10)
Photo sleuthing Civil War portraits requires triangulating names, units, and ages to ensure accurate IDs, revealing lost soldier stories and correcting mislabeling.

Antebellum Warriors (p. 12)
A daguerreotype of an unidentified 1840s-50s militia soldier showcases distinctive insignia, a Model 1840-style sword, and period-specific uniform details.

Most Hallowed Ground (p. 14)
Edmund C. Bainbridge, a career U.S. Army officer, served in key Civil War campaigns before retiring as a colonel. He was buried with honors at Arlington.

The Honored Few (p. 16)
At Petersburg, John W. Boutwell of the 18th New Hampshire Infantry rescued a wounded comrade. Decades later, he and another soldier received the Medal of Honor.

The Citizenry (p. 18)
Love of country fills this portrait of a patriotic woman, likely a fundraising image from the 1864 Mississippi Valley Sanitary Fair, featuring the Old Guard’s flag and liberty cap.

Of Arms and Men by Phil Spaugy (pp. 20-22)
Colonel Lew Wallace found a dead Confederate’s ornate Tryon & Co. muzzle-loading rifle at Fort Donelson in 1862, and took it home as a battlefield souvenir.

Wounded Warriors: Slings, crutches, and missing limbs are emblems of personal ;pass and patriotic sacrifice(pp. 22-36)
A photographic survey of Civil War amputees and other wounded soldiers and sailors, their societal impact, medical treatment, and portraits of the veterans.

Gifted Scholar, Faithful Christian, Reluctant Soldier: The life and times of Virginia professor and artillerist Lewis Minor Coleman by Ronald S. Coddington, with images from the Dave Batalo Collection (pp. 38-45)
Lewis Minor Coleman, an educator turned Confederate officer, sought to balance duty, faith, and the horrors of war. His service culminated at Fredericksburg.

A Useful Life: Sarah Chamberlin Eccleston, Civil War nurse and educator by Sidney Dreese (pp. 46-48)
Sallie Chamberlin defied age restrictions to serve as a Civil War nurse, later pioneering kindergarten education in Argentina. She lived a life of service.

Cruising the Potomac and Elsewhere with Brig. Gen. John P. Slough’s Brigade Band by Ronald S. Coddington, with images from the Mark Jones Collection (pp. 50-55)
Formed from the 60th New York Infantry, Slough’s Brigade Band played at key Civil War events in Alexandria, Va., and Washington, D.C.

Winslow’s Homer’s Use of Portrait Photographs in Civil War Era Illustrations by Rick and Victoria Britton (pp. 57-60)
A recently discovered sketch of Gen. Montgomery Meigs adds to Winslow Homer’s rich artistic legacy. The famed Civil War illustrator captured wartime life in Harper’s Weekly.

Wherever He Went, He Found History: Remembering Alex de Quesada, 1965-2024 by Ronald S. Coddington(pp. 62-64)
Alex de Quesada (1965-2024) was a passionate historian, collector, and author, known for his militaria expertise, vast artifact collection, and love of Star Wars.

Material Culture by Frank Graves (p. 66)
An early 1840s daguerreotype features an unknown man holding a U.S. Model 1805 Harpers Ferry flintlock pistol, the first military handgun made by a U.S. national armory.

Women of War by Melissa A. Wynn (pp. 68-69)
Clara Barton, Civil War nurse and founder of the Missing Soldiers Office, helped families locate lost loved ones and later established the American Red Cross.

Behind the Backdrop by Dave Batalo (p. 70)
A look at a painted camp and forts backdrop that appears in Confederate soldier portraits; it may be connected to a Fredericksburg photographer.

Vignette by Scott Valentine (p. 72)
First Lt. and Adjutant Orett Munger of the 44th New York Infantry was captured at Laurel Hill but freed by Gen. George Armstrong Custer’s cavalry. After the Civil War he settled in Chicago.

Stragglers (p. 74)
Confederate and Union soldiers pose for portraits, showcasing unique uniforms, tinting, and photography techniques by Charles R. Rees and other artists.

The Last Shot (p. 80)
A Confederate captain poses in a rustic studio scene with a tree-trunk chair and table, holstered sidearm, and missing coat button.

Preserving History, Shaping the Present at a National Military Park

At Military Images, we know that every historical photograph is more than just an image—it’s a window into the past, offering valuable insights for today’s Americans. That’s why we were honored to receive a recent request from the National Park Service to include one of our published photographs in a Cultural Landscape Report for Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park’s Point Park.

The image, a rare carte de visite of a Confederate military encampment atop Lookout Mountain, was originally featured in our Autumn 2018 issue as part of a “Linns of Lookout.” Its inclusion in this report underscores the continued relevance of Civil War photography.

The owner of the image, Dr. Anthony Hodges, a lifelong collector and dedicated steward of Chickamauga and Chattanooga history, has spent more than 40 years serving the National Military Park. His passion for historical preservation is a reminder that these images are not just relics of the past—they are essential to understanding our national story.

This request is just one example of how Military Images contributes to our ongoing mission to showcase, interpret, and preserve historic photography. We are delighted to play a role in ensuring that the stories of the Civil War—and the landscapes that shaped them—remain visible and meaningful for future generations.

The Autumn 2024 Issue

A complete table of contents for the Autumn 2024 issue of Military Images magazine, and information about how to purchase single issues and subscriptions.

Vol. XLII, No. 4
(80 pages)

Print edition: Visit our store to check availability
Digital edition: Visit JSTOR.org to purchase
Subscribe or renew your subscription

Explore the MI Archives:
Browse | Advanced search | Tutorial

Inside

Cover
A sixth-plate tintype from the Claudia and Al Niemiec Collection pictures two soldiers from the U.S. Colored Troops (USCT) at Benton Barracks in St. Louis. 

Table of Contents (p. 1)

Editor’s Desk (p. 2)
After a quarter century of subscription costs remaining the same, the rate for a single year will change from $24.95 to $30 effective Jan. 1, 2025.

Mail Call (pp. 3-4)
Feedback includes an observation about uniform coats buttoned on the opposite side, praise for columnist Phil Spaugy, praise for theory about the iconic image of three Confederate prisoners after Gettysburg, and more.

Military Anthropologist (p. 4)
A breakdown of about 2.1 million soldiers contributed by each state and territory to the U.S. Army during the Civil War as a percent of the 1860 U.S. Census population figures.

Passing in Review (p. 6)
Book review of The Atlanta Campaign, 1864,(Casemate Publishers) by David A. Powell.

Photo Sleuth by Kurt Luther (pp. 8-11)
Exploring the search for Civil War soldier photos from the Battles of First and Second Manassas, uncovering portraits and expanding collections for museums.

Antebellum Warriors (p. 12)
This unidentified soldier wears the antebellum uniform of the 6th Massachusetts Infantry, which gained national attention in 1861 during the Baltimore riot.

Most Hallowed Ground (p. 14)
General John A. Rawlins, Ulysses S. Grant’s chief-of-staff, died in 1869. Grant missed being at his deathbed by an hour. Rawlins rests in Arlington Cemetery.

The Honored Few (p. 16)
Jenny Langbein, a drummer boy in Hawkins’ Zouaves during the Civil War, bravely saved his comrade at the Battle of Camden, earning a Medal of Honor and becoming a New York lawyer.

The Citizenry by Elizabeth A. Topping (pp. 18-19)
Calisthenics, introduced in the 1830s, revolutionized fitness for women with light exercises and gymnastic routines, promoting health, grace, and preparing women for motherhood.

Of Arms and Men by Phil Spaugy (pp. 22-25)
The First Model Maynard Carbines carried by the Bolivar Troop of Mississippi during the early part of the Civil War proved formidable, almost mythical, weapons.

The Black Phalanx at Benton Barracks: Transforming men of color into U.S. soldiers, late 1863 to early 1864 by Ronald S. Coddington (pp. 28-31)
African American soldiers of the United States Colored Troops (USCT) at Benton Barracks in St. Louis endured prejudice and hardship before becoming distinguished U.S. Army men.

JEB: A portrait taken in Hagerstown captures Stuart during the withdrawal following Gettysburg by Phil McCoy (pp. 32–40)
During the retreat after the Battle of Gettysburg, JEB Stuart posed for this portrait in the Hagerstown, Maryland, gallery of photographer Elias M. Recher.

Back to Libby: In 1864, Capt. Matt Boyd successfully made the Great Escape from Libby Prison. In 1889, he returned to deal with his demons. by Ronald S. Coddington (pp. 42-52)
Boyd, a captain in the 73rd Indiana Infantry surrendered at the abrupt end of Streight’s Raid, returned to Libby Prison as a guard when the building was moved to Chicago and opened as a museum.

Forever Peace: A former Confederate gives a miniature of the Appomattox surrender table to Ulysses S. Grant by Ronald S. Coddington (pp. 54-58)
Ulysses S. Grant received a hero’s welcome in Philadelphia in 1879, featuring a grand parade and the presentation of a gold miniature table symbolizing peace after the Civil War.

Artisans of Ames: An antebellum portrait of the people behind the prominent Civil War arms manufacturer by Ron Maness(pp. 60-63)
Ames Manufacturing Company artisans, known for producing military arms, gathered circa 1850 in Chicopee, Mass., posing with cannons, swords, and silverware near their factory.

Material Culture by Bill Thompson (pp. 66-67)
Robert S. Capen of the 1st and 4th Massachusetts cavalries carried this Colt Model 1860 revolver during the Civil War, and a photograph of his wife and son.

Women of War by Melissa A. Winn (pp. 68-70) 
Dr. Mary Edwards Walker, the only woman to receive the Medal of Honor, was a pioneering Civil War surgeon, women’s rights advocate, and a champion of dress reform.

Behind the Backdrop by Adam Ochs Fleischer (pp. 72-73)
The Moore brothers’ Hartford, Conn., studio produced high-quality Civil War portraits with a unique military backdrop, blending photography and fine art.

Vignette: Episodes of the Civil War by Scott Valentine (p. 74)
William Estes Hacker of the 3rd Maryland Infantry, wounded at Antietam in 1862, never fully recovered. He died of typhoid fever in 1863 and is buried in Philadelphia’s Laurel Hill Cemetery.

Stragglers (pp. 76-77)
Union soldier images contributed by Military Images magazine subscribers include men from the 43rd Wisconsin and 12th Connecticut infantries, and others.

The Last Shot (p. 80)
Two political cartoons depict Lincoln’s decisive 1864 election victory over McClellan, highlighting the Union’s support during the Civil War.

Autumn 2024 Issue Highlights

The feature stories and columns you’ll find in our Autumn 2024 issue. Pick up a copy or a subscription in our store.

Civil War Buglers

A gallery of 31 images collected in collaboration with Editor Dale Niesen of the Facebook group “The Image Collector” and contributions by collectors, reviewed by Contributing Editor Chris Nelson, is focused on soldiers pictured with bugles and trumpets. All are Union musicians.

This story is part of our Summer 2021 issue. Check out the full contents and learn how to purchase a copy or subscribe in our finding aid.

Mississippi Marine Brigade

One of the Civil War’s most novel fighting forces, the Mississippi Marine Brigade, began its life as a fleet of rams, the brainchild of civil engineer Charles Ellet, Jr. After his death from an infected wound, command passed to his brother, Alfred, who built the MMB. This is its story.

Story by Paul Russinoff

This story is part of our Summer 2021 issue. Check out the full contents and learn how to purchase a copy or subscribe in our finding aid.

The Compact

In 1864, a dozen soldiers at the U.S.A. General Hospital in York, Pa., pondered their futures. The men, including three hospital stewards, planned a reunion at Niagara Falls in 1884 to find out where life took them after the war ended. What happened to them, and the fate of the reunion, is revealed in this account.

Story by Ronald S. Coddington

This story is part of our Summer 2021 issue. Check out the full contents and learn how to purchase a copy or subscribe in our finding aid.

“Lost an Arm in Freedom’s Fray”

About 25,000 Union soldiers suffered amputations during the Civil War. These limbless men re-entered society, some faring well and others not. Here, we examine seven men who lost an arm as a result of the Battle of Gettysburg. Among them is artilleryman John F. Chase, who barely escaped when a canister charge exploded prematurely. Surgeons counted 48 shrapnel wounds on his body.

Story by Charles T. Joyce

This story is part of our Summer 2021 issue. Check out the full contents and learn how to purchase a copy or subscribe in our finding aid.

Research Rabbit Hole: Backdrop Business

A new episode of Research Rabbit Hole, our Facebook Live show, premiered Monday evening, May 3, at 9 p.m. ET.

Season 1, Episode 9, is focused on backdrops, one of the great clues to help trace the photographers who used them—and, with a little grit, determination, and luck, maybe identifying the unknown face looking back at you. But where did photographers get those backdrops? We’ll shed some light on this question.

The full season is available on YouTube.

New episodes of Research Rabbit Hole premier every two weeks on our Facebook page. The host, Ronald S. Coddington, is Editor and Publisher of Military Images.

Research Rabbit Hole: Posing 101

A new episode of Research Rabbit Hole, our Facebook Live show, premiered Monday evening, April 5, at 9 p.m. ET.

Season 1, Episode 7, provides answers to a deceptively simple question: Ever wondered why and how Americans of the 1860s posed for portraits? In this episode, we review instructions by traveling photographer B. Bradley to his patrons to help them make the most of their visit, and guidelines suggested by master daguerreian pioneer Marcus Aurelius Root in his 1864 photographer’s handbook, The Camera, and The Pencil.

The full season is available on YouTube.

New episodes of Research Rabbit Hole will be released every two weeks on our Facebook page. The host, Ronald S. Coddington, is Editor and Publisher of Military Images.