1st Colorado Cavalry Photo

[AZReenactor]

Since photos from the far West During the War are exceedingly scarce, I thought I should post this one from a recent online auction so it isn't lost to the ages.

It is believed to be of Theodore Hess of Co. E of the 1st Colorado Cavalry. The backmark indicates it was taken in Sante Fe New Mexico so hopefully there are more images by this artist out there waiting to be discovered somewhere.

[GeraldTodd]

Re: 1st Colorado Cavalry Photo

Gee, could that company letter get any bigger?

[AZReenactor]

Re: 1st Colorado Cavalry Photo

Only if he gets a bigger hat. ;-)

Gee, could that company letter get any bigger?

[Dusty Merritt]

Re: 1st Colorado Cavalry Photo

Thanks for sharing that Troy. I think this is actually the first time I've seen a photograph of a Colorado enlisted man. This sure brings it closer to home than the generic monument outside the courthouse ever could.

[Andrew Kasmar]

Re: 1st Colorado Cavalry Photo

Hi,

Nice picture Mr. Groves, thanks for posting it. I have never seen a company letter that big!!!!

[AZReenactor]

Re: 1st Colorado Cavalry Photo

Brendan,
If you liked that, here are a couple more. Of John Potts Slough and Officers of the First Colorado. Also a photo of Colorado volunteers drilling in Empire Colorado in 1861.

A good book you might also enjoy is Distant Bugles, Distant Drums: The Union Response to the Confederate Invasion of New Mexico By Flint Whitlock. There are several more Colorado photos in there.

[AZReenactor]

Description of Colorado Troops

By Arizona Territorial Justice Joseph Pratt Allyn on October 26, 1863 as he made his way to Arizona from Missouri via the Sante Fe Trail.

The Colorado troops are certainly the finest troops physically I have seen, and their courage and endurance have been tested by a campaign as grand for distance marched as the famous on of Xenophon and the ten thousand Greeks, and battles the most bloody in proportion to the number of men engaged of this war; and yet whose very names are unknown to eastern ones. It is difficult for you to realize the grandeur of our empire and the magnitude of this war. You cherish the battle standards inscribed with names utterly forgotten if not unknown here. Kansas and Missouri hold dearest the achievements of the army of the frontier, and a list of engagements I never heard of. Here on the plains you meet soldiers bronzed by the tropic sun and powder grime of battles on the frontiers of Chihuahua.

West by Southwest; Letters of Joseph Pratt Allyn

[Sweatshop Tailor]

Re: 1st Colorado Cavalry Photo

Here is another (probable) 1st Colorado picture, a tintype, from my own collection. Interesting that the backdrop is similar to the Hess cdv. Its provenance is from a Denver gun store which bought both this image and the man's original gun from a descendent, who no longer knew the mans name, but remembered his unit - the 1st Colorado... I got the tintype (not the gun).

http://links.pictures.aol.com/pic/c000k0VdexRXmewaJbwTAvwONmvP6MY83bBnv4xQp5Fd3Ig=_l.jpg

(one of these days I hope to be allowed to post attachments rather than just link to my AOL photo account!)

The 1st Colorado are of particular interest to me as my Gr-Gr Grandfather was on the other side fighting against them (as one of Pyron's men, 2nd Tex Mtd. Rifles, Co. E). Sadly not many images to go around of either unit.

KC MacDonald
Founder Member Lazy Jacks Mess

[Sweatshop Tailor]

Re: 1st Colorado Cavalry Photo

Now that I can post attachments, I am trying to attach this Colorado gentleman referred to in my previous post in a more readily accessable way...

[fedcampaigner]

Re: 1st Colorado Cavalry Photo

It is interesting that his coat has a lay down collar.

[idlewild]

Re: 1st Colorado Cavalry Photo

Wow, what an excellent image! I will have to say that is the first image I've seen of a soldier of a Colorado regiment. Wonderful!

I find it really interesting that the photo is taken in Santa Fe. I have a very limited knowledge of the 1st Colorado Cav, so I don't know much about when or where they were stationed after they were formed into Cavalry, but it would not surprise me to learn that they were in Santa Fe for any length of time. I'm curious now, think I'll go do some reading up.

Thanks for posting it, what a great find.

[GeraldTodd]

Re: 1st Colorado Cavalry Photo

It's a standard mounted service jacket collar rolled down. I've seen them with the top button or two undone and opened out like lapels.

Even in a modern color photo - it's not readily apparent that it's a MSJ unless you look for it. (see the attachment for scales on my right shoulder)

It's gonna be all the rage by WWII ;)

[yeoman]

Re: 1st Colorado Cavalry Photo

Sir, nice image indeed as are the others.The troopers jacket looks a bit sun faded and or dusty eh? I really like the Empire Colorado photograph and wanted to add this. http://protophoto.com/picture.html?pic=4121 My two cents and thanks for bringing them out.

[mcallismd]

Re: 1st Colorado Cavalry Photo

Mr. MacDonald,

Thanks for the posting of the picture. My name is Mike McAllister, gr-gr-grandson of John G. Allister, private, Company E, 1st Colorado Cavalry. I believe your picture may contain John Allister. He served in the 1st Colorado Cav from Oct 1/2, 1861 until June, 1864 when he went east (deserted actually) and joined an Illinois Light Artillery Unit under the surname McAllister where he served in Northeast Alabama, Southern Tennessee and Northern Georgia for the duration of the war. I photoshopped the young soldier's face over a photo of an aged John G and found the matches to be quite convincing. Have you learned any additional information about the soldier? Are you still in possession? Many thanks for any response.