Tag: Civil War ancestors

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A Family Genealogist Finds His Ancestor in Military Images

Every so often an email lands in my inbox that reminds me of the value of Military Images.

Last night, I heard from James Burdin, a family genealogist researching his ancestor Melville Soper, a major in the 5th Indiana Cavalry. James’ research led him to discover a carte de visite of Soper published in Military Images nearly two decades ago. Until that moment, he had never seen Soper in uniform. Surviving photographs of Soper show him only at the end of his life.

James glimpsed Soper, standing in his dress uniform, sword at his side. 

This moment—when a descendant sees a Civil War ancestor—is deeply satisfying. I never tire of it.

James’ email also underscored another truth about Civil War photography: images often carry fragments of stories that still wait to be fully told. According to the original caption with the photograph, written by John Sickles and published in our March/April 2006 issue, Soper started the war as a musician in the 37th Indiana Infantry, and is pictured at the beginning of his service in the 5th as a first lieutenant. “Major Soper was captured on the Stoneman raid. Influential people tried to intercede in obtaining his freedom to no avail. Senator James Lane of Kansas called Soper a ‘noble, daring soldier,’ and General John Farnsworth concurred. He was discharged in May, 1865.”

Sickles, a meticulous and generous historian and a former senior editor, is no longer with us. Yet John’s scholarship continues to spark discovery—sometimes decades later, sometimes in the most unexpected ways. John’s work reminds me of the importance of sharing images and stories.

This brings me to a call to action.

If you have letters, photographs, documents, or other items connected to Major Soper, reach out. Share them. And keep on sharing artifacts related to other soldiers, sailors and their families.

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Military Images Connects Local Historians Writing a Book With a Civil War Era Photograph

Since its founding in 1979, Military Images magazine has played a vital role in connecting authors, historians, and researchers with compelling photographs to illustrate their work. As the only publication dedicated solely to the study and appreciation of Civil War portrait photography, Military Images has cultivated a vast network of collectors, archivists, and history enthusiasts who contribute to preserving these invaluable visual records.

The latest example of our ongoing mission involves Kingston 300, Inc., a non-profit organization preparing to publish Tales of Jones River Village: Kingston’s 300 Years, a book celebrating the tricentennial of Kingston, Massachusetts, in 2026. As part of their effort to tell the town’s rich history, Ken Brack. One of the volunteers working on the project, reached out to request permission to publish the poignant image here of two women glancing at an empty chair, which appeared in the Autumn 2023 issue of the magazine to illustrate “Symbol of Remembrance: The Vacant Chair” by Elizabeth A. Topping. The image is in Elizabeth’s collection.

“The Vacant Chair,” a poem written by Henry Stevenson Washburn following the Battle of Ball’s Bluff, Va., in October 1861, edited national attention after George F. Root pirated the song in 1862 and set the words to music. Washburn lived in Kingston at one time. According to Brack, Kingston 300, Inc. plans to publish a short story about Washburn in the forthcoming book.

Brack discovered Elizabeth’s story and photograph in our digital edition and reached out for permission, which Elizabeth granted. 

Making the connection between Elizabeth and Brack is another testament to how Military Images bridges the past and present through curated photographic content.

By facilitating access to historically significant imagery, Military Images strengthens the narratives of authors and researchers, ensuring that stories of the past are not only told but visually brought to life. This latest collaboration with Kingston 300, Inc. underscores the magazine’s long-standing commitment to historical preservation and education. As Military Images approaches its 50th anniversary, it remains a trusted resource for those seeking to honor and understand America’s military history through the power of photography.