Very young officer!

[Matt Caldwell]

Found this on the LOC site and I just cant get over how young the officer of the day looks. If I were to guess, I would have to say 14-15. Just something I found neat.

Arlington, Va. Officers of Company F, 2d New York Artillery at Fort C. F. Smith].

Smith, William Morris, photographer.


CREATED/PUBLISHED
1865 August.

SUMMARY
Photograph of Washington, 1862-1865, view of the defenses of Washington.

NOTES
Reference: Civil War photographs, 1861-1865 / compiled by Hirst D. Milhollen and Donald H. Mugridge, Washington, D.C. : Library of Congress, 1977. No. 0763

Title from Milhollen and Mugridge.

Forms part of Selected Civil War photographs, 1861-1865 (Library of Congress)

[paulcalloway]

Re: Very young officer!

Note the ring-finger. Probably just jewelry and not a wedding band. I'd guess 17 at most - and yet to put a razor to his chin. Great photo, Matt.

[JACKSONVC]

Re: Very young officer!

Cool picture!
He certianly looks like a young lad, appears he is wearing a wedding ring on left hand. I can't make it out, but his cap badge looks as if he is an artillery officer. He is definately in officer country, look at the desk behind him, wiskey bottles. It looks as if he is wearing a private purchase coat, the hip pocket is flapped. Really nice picture..

[Vuhginyuh]

Re: Very young officer!

Ring on finger and Officer of the Day. Poor guy...

[RyanBWeddle]

Re: Very young officer!

I found him again in another photo, farthest on the right:

TITLE: District of Columbia. Company F, 2d Regiment New York Artillery at Fort C.F. Smith
CALL NUMBER: LC-B817- 7283 [P&P]
REPRODUCTION NUMBER: LC-DIG-cwpb-03948 (b&w copy scan)
No known restrictions on publication.
MEDIUM: 1 negative : glass, wet collodion.
CREATED/PUBLISHED: 1865 June.



Sure enough, he is awful young looking. But then again, I did too at 16.

For some reason there is something strange about the two-piece sword belt he is wearing... I can't seem to ID the buckle, but it doesn't look regulation or US. Maybe a Virginia Seal??? Does anyone see that? Look at my attachment.

[Matt Caldwell]

Re: Very young officer!

Thanks Paul, the LOC is a great resource and if anyone has DSL or Cable, I urge you to have a look for yourself. Here is another on that I found, which this one looks a slight bit older, but not much.

[District of Columbia. White officers of 4th U.S. Colored Infantry at leisure, Fort Slocum].

CREATED/PUBLISHED
1865 April.

SUMMARY
Photograph of Washington, 1862-1865, view of the defenses of Washington.

NOTES
Reference: Civil War photographs, 1861-1865 / compiled by Hirst D. Milhollen and Donald H. Mugridge, Washington, D.C. : Library of Congress, 1977. No. 0771

Title from Milhollen and Mugridge.

Forms part of Selected Civil War photographs, 1861-1865 (Library of Congress)

[Jayhawk102]

Re: Very young officer!

I think the belt insigna is Militia maybe from 1850s? I found what looks like might match the one he is wearing.

[Michael Comer]

Re: Very young officer!

Actually it's Dick Clark's great-grandfather. He's really 42 in that photo. :wink_smil

[paulcalloway]

Re: Very young officer!

Ryan, I would guess it'd be more like this 2 piece original buckle:





More photos:
http://www.civilwarpreservations.com...oryType=relics

[Matt Caldwell]

Re: Very young officer!

I found him again in another photo, farthest on the right:

For some reason there is something strange about the two-piece sword belt he is wearing... I can't seem to ID the buckle, but it doesn't look regulation or US. Maybe a Virginia Seal??? Does anyone see that? Look at my attachment.

Ryan,
Good eye, I saw it as well, but couldnt place it. I have attached about the best resolution at the closest distance that the image can handle. It looks close to VA, but I cant tell if it is identical.

[RyanBWeddle]

Re: Very young officer!

Ryan,
Good eye, I saw it as well, but couldnt place it. I have attached about the best resolution at the closest distance that the image can handle. It looks close to VA, but I cant tell if it is identical.

Wow, sure as heck looks like a Virginia crest to me. It's clear that there is no "U.S." or "Eagle", but a figure in the center that 90% resembles a VA plate.

[paulcalloway]

Re: Very young officer!

Ryan,
Good eye, I saw it as well, but couldnt place it. I have attached about the best resolution at the closest distance that the image can handle. It looks close to VA, but I cant tell if it is identical.

Here's another possibility:

[CJSchumacher]

Re: Very young officer!

That is clearly not a "U.S." or an eagle plate. It is definitely a figure...very possibly "Lady Virginia". You can even see the raised right elbow of her "conquered" lying on the ground as in the VA two-piece. Very interesting.

A great part about the original photo posted is a clear shot of typical boot soles of the mid-19th century. If you notice the foot coming into view on the young Lt.'s left side, notice the boot with two-piece vamp, narrow sole, probably half-sole, going into a SLIGHTY larger heal. This is very exemplary of a 19th century shoe or boot sole, yet you don't see many reproductions like that made.

His boots, on the other hand are clearly too big and leave a bit to be desired... :wink_smil

[hireddutchcutthroat]

Re: Very young officer!

I think he could be between 18 and 21, he shure is short at anyrate.

[Michigander]

Re: Very young officer!

I'm sure you gents also noted the corps badge on the kepi. It is a new variation for me though I haven't seen that type of "cut-out" style before. Thanks for posting this interesting photo.
Richard Jones
Flagstaff, AZ