Great Federal Portrait

[27thNCdrummer]

Re: Great Federal Portrait

Thanks.

Everyone,
I stand corrected as to what the term "bummer" actually means. I guess in certain regions of the south (like where the Carolinas Campaign occurred) any Midwestern soldier is referred to as a bummer. But, I will use the correct context of the word from now on.

Also as I was reading Drum Taps in Dixie by Delevan Miller and I found this passage:

"Among the other curiosities at the Point was a stockade where the rebel prisoners were corralled until they could be sent north. Another stockade was called a "Bull Pen," where all the deserters, bounty jumpers, bummers, and other freaks were kept until their cases could be disposed of."

This shed a tremendous amount of light on the period and modern meaning of the word "bummer".

So in conclusion "Mea Culpa".

[lambrew]

Re: Great Federal Portrait

That is the great thing about this site. This discussion of a federal photo has yielded a wealth of information beyond just the photo itself. No hard feelings, a solid study of both the image, and the various meanings of the term "bummer". The thread has served it's function as a catalyst for deeper learning and knowledge.

Respectfully....
Sean Collicott

[Arch Campbell]

Re: Great Federal Portrait

Back on the original topic, did you boys see what the winning bid was on this image? Holy small-fortune-for-an-unidentified-image, Batman! I guess I can forget ever starting an image collection of my own.

Bummer. :wink_smil