Capture Confederates at Norfolk, VA 1864

[Jon The Beloved]

This image was found in the MOLLUS/Massachusetts collection via the US Army Heritage & Education Center. I have never seen this before and I was wondering if many folks have. So.. I'm sharing:

If you'd like to see the digitally scanned, zoom friendly image then follow the LINK and type in 'Confederate Prisoners' in the search engine.

As you'll see, the handwriting attached to the image says "Confederate Prisoners as they appeared when captured near Norfolk VA, Oct. 1 '64." However, a good friend suggested that perhaps this image was taken while in prison rather than immediately after capture. Any ideas? Comments? Discussions.. enjoy!

[MickCole]

Re: Capture Confederates at Norfolk, VA 1864

They certainly appear to fit the image of the "Ragged Rebel." The shorter one seems to have the "1000 yard stare" of a war-weary soldier.
Mick Cole

[Jimmayo]

Re: Capture Confederates at Norfolk, VA 1864

If they were captured in Oct of 64 near Norfolk they may have been some of the irregulars or just plain criminals hiding in the Dismal Swamp. I have read letters of Union Soldiers stationed in Portsmouth and they make mention of the rebels they encountered on pickett duty near the swamp. If that is what they were, more power to them for surviving in that place. It would explain their clothes.

[roundshot]

Re: Capture Confederates at Norfolk, VA 1864

Despite the captioning, I have always wondered if these men weren't, in fact, Federal POWs as they looked upon repatriation to Union lines. The coats look to be Federal sacks. Plus only someone with lots of time on their hands could sew so many patches.

[DougCooper]

Re: Capture Confederates at Norfolk, VA 1864

I have seen this image captioned as escaped Federal prisoners from a CS POW camp. Will dig and see if I can find it - was in a book.

[Jon The Beloved]

Re: Capture Confederates at Norfolk, VA 1864

Federal.. eh? Now that does offer an interesting reversal of roles. I do know that so often, labels and captions were misapplied to images from that era.. I'd love to know what other identification was offered for these two men. I SINCERELY doubt I did more 'research' than someone using this image for their body of work.. BUT one never knows until the true source is revealed. I will also dig further.

[Iceman]

Re: Capture Confederates at Norfolk, VA 1864

Les Jensen says the following about this photo; "... Indeed, their clothing is so patched and ragged - and given the contrast between these men and known photos of Confederates in the field who are in much better condition - that this may possibly be a propaganda photograph. It is difficult to analyze the uniforms, although the man on the left appears to have a sack coat of Federal style, while the man on the right has some kind of jacket."

This caption comes from the book Johnny Reb: The Uniform of the Confederate Army, 1861 - 1865; p. 77

Take Mr. Jensen as you will, as I know that there are some instances where his research has been found to be wrong, or false.