US infantryman

[Igor73]

any ideas - is he an regular US infantry? and about his knapsack - is it militia one or Mexican war item?
regards!

Igor Karpov

[BrandonEnglish]

Re: US infantryman

I don't know, but that is one heck of a "war face."

[lhsnj]

Re: US infantryman

The jacket looks like a NYSM jacket...
It looks similiar to some of the ones in the following images:
41st NY: http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/...56sf=04017:@@@

33rd NY: http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/...sf=3a03828:@@@

http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/I?ils:27:./temp/~pp_RZ3w::displayType=1:m856sd=cph:m856sf=3a03831:@@@

23rd NY: http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/...sf=3a03829:@@@

http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/I?ils:29:./temp/~pp_RZ3w::displayType=1:m856sd=cph:m856sf=3a03826:@@@

I like the knife in the belt..

[J. Donaldson]

Re: US infantryman

That image has been discussed here.

[yanksaintgood]

Re: US infantryman

It doesn't appear that he has piping on the jacket so I wonder if perhaps he is an Ohioan. It would also make sense that he is from Ohio because of the knife, since most of those farm boys were considered "rowdy westerners" and brought along many pistol and knives when going off to war. Also note the watch pocket built into the coat.

[Igor73]

Re: US infantryman

That image has been discussed here.

Ops! sorry...

[PogueMahone]

Re: US infantryman

It doesn't appear that he has piping on the jacket so I wonder if perhaps he is an Ohioan. It would also make sense that he is from Ohio because of the knife, since most of those farm boys were considered "rowdy westerners" and brought along many pistol and knives when going off to war. Also note the watch pocket built into the coat.

Can you document anything or is this pure speculation on your part?

I am offended by the "Rebel Death Squad" reference.

[yanksaintgood]

Re: US infantryman

Yes that is speculation. I am from Ohio, and have spent time researching Ohioans in the Civil War since I was about 10 years old (I am now 20). As far as the jacket goes, I have seen many original images of identified Ohioans wearing a very similar coat. The overall "state shell" of this variety was common in various midwestern states. I speculate Ohio because of the shoulder loops. In a few images identified to Ohio men in the war I have spotted these shoulder loops. Images via the internet of soldiers of other states that had "state shells" do not seem to have the shoulder loops as often. That's not to say that this did not happen. I have seen more Ohio images since I come across ones that are not readily available. As far as the knife reference I was down around Dayton a few months ago and came across a framed group of tin types of federal soldiers holding all variety of pistols and knives. I also have visited historical societies in my area with knives and pistols ided to boys who went off to war with them. Below the images was written the company and regiment and the year 1861. I can't recall the regiment at the moment, but it was an Ohio one from the Dayton area. As far as "rowdy westerners" being from Ohio. I recall hearing a quote like that on Civil War Journal, the Iron Brigade Episode with Rufus Dawes.

[PogueMahone]

Re: US infantryman

Patrick,

Knives and pistols were common photographer props to make the subject seem a bit more marshall. There are also plenty of references to men carrying such items from home early in the war because they ignorantly believed the opportunity to use them would arise on the field of combat. I don't believe there is any limitation to either being the providence of men from Ohio, however. To add to that, just because the image was in Dayton doesn't mean the image was of Ohio soldiers. Does it?

And you will find that most soldiers in the western theater, north and south, were considered rowdy by their own comments.

As for your comments regarding the jacket shoulder loops ... you may want to look at this thread and the images there: http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/...s+state+jacket Those are not "Ohio" jackets.