From the LOC gallery: http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/D?cwar:11:./temp/~ammem_Ilga:T39:

Forms part of Selected Civil War photographs, 1861-1865 (Library of Congress)
Copy photo made by LC in 1961 of an ambrotype. Credit: Mr. G.K. Holmes, Cornwall Bridge, Conn.
Reference: American Memory edition timeline. No. 1101
Forms part of Civil War glass negative collection (Library of Congress).

REPRODUCTION NUMBER
LC-B8184-10692 DLC (b&w film copy neg.)



Looks like this soldier didn't get the memo that you don't wear your haversack under your belt.

Looks like captured Federal accoutrements also.

Johnny must have stolen a Connecticut militia '39 waistbelt and plate, too. What makes you think he is a reb?  

Looks early war federal to me, and for early war it is good to wear your traps differently than a veteran. At least that has been in the guidelines for quite a few early war events.

Looking at his acouterments, I'd have to say early early war Federal too. Just sayin'.

I don't know. That canteen sure looks Corn Fed to me?  

Also, no piping on the frock. Being a militia unit is it possible that the canteen and frock may not be standard issue? Quite an interesting picture with several strange pieces of equipment.

Are we sure this guy isn't just galvanizing somewhere

Quote :

Charles Heath wrote : Johnny must have stolen a Connecticut militia '39 waistbelt and plate, too. What makes you think he is a reb?   Looks early war federal to me, and for early war it is good to wear your traps differently than a veteran. At least that has been in the guidelines for quite a few early war events.

I just used the title from the LOC page.  They had the photo marked as a "Confederate Soldier?"

Bill, that's a federal canteen, too. Take a second look at it. It's a Mex-War model. Hard to tell if it is painted light blue or not.

I would definitely say the frock is not issued.

Does anyone have high enough resolution to make out what's on the belt and sling plates? I'm thinking Louisiana Pelican Plates.

It's hard to say about the canteen. You can't see the spount, which would be a give away, but it sure seems bright to be made of wood, but that's just me.  

In "Echoes of Glory" there's a jeans cloth frock coat worn by a John E. Johnson of the 29th. Alabama, that looks very similar to the coat worn by the man in our picture. It seems this coat was made by Private Johnson's mother. He was killed while wearing the coat at Peach Tree Creek. in 1864  

--Last edited by Bill on 2007-02-09 22:15:22 --

Bill, the tin Mex War canteens with the big "US" in the middle were metal. Usually painted light blue, but not always.

It's probably worth reminding folks a good number of pre-war militias wore gray, although in Virginia at least some wore untrimmed dark blue frocks, which didn't make a certain battery happy at First Manassas. Do we need to repost the infamous NY militia images?

Quote :

Charles Heath wrote : Bill, the tin Mex War canteens with the big "US" in the middle were metal. Usually painted light blue, but not always.

Charles,
You are correct, this may indeed be a Mex War canteen. From the angle in the picture, thers's no way to tell if this is a Mex War canteen or a Confederate tin canteen.

I was thinking of the wood militia canteen, that is usually associated with the State of New York. It's much like the Brit canteen, but only about three inches thick; and the integral spout is eight sided. They were often painted too. I've actually made a few of these.

Anybody out there able to make out those plates?

Here's something that's rather obvious. He's wearing all of his stuff high. None of his gear is much lower than the bend in his elbow. Even the top of his haversack is in that area. Just a note; this isn't the first picture I've seen of a haversack being worn under a waist belt. As far as his plates go, we may never know, they look to me like they've been "colorized" gold. Just my .02 but, the plate on this cartridge box belt looks like a federal eagle plate. The waist belt plate looks like the small US version buckle. I have one in my collection. So, for you viewing pleasure I have opened up the case and photographed a couple of things for comparison.



Upper left: Federal Eagle breast plate
Lower left: Unissued box plate bought at auction (Bannerman's)
Upper right: dug federal belt plate early arrow back
lower left: early small belt plate, only the brass skin and a very thin layer of lead is there

All the dug items came from the fields around Gettysburg. Dug on private ground with permission.  

--Last edited by grumpydave on 2007-02-10 18:19:24 --

Grump,

How would I get invited on one your private digs?

Pop passsed away in 2004. And I sold all my "diging" crap in 2000. Sorry Ken, I'm out of the hobby.

Pop passsed away in 2004. And I sold all my "diging" crap in 2000. Sorry Ken, I'm out of the hobby.


Did you notice the size difference in the belt plates? I believe the one on the lower right is the one in the photo.

Now I'm posting like Bill.

Quote :

GrumpyDave wrote : Now I'm posting like Bill.

Thanks Dave!