Landing on James River, 1864-5

[western reb]

Re: Landing on James River, 1864-5

I'm having some trouble seeing the group as prisoners. My immediate thought was that they were Federal soldiers with and without jackets queuing up for something, perhaps to draw from the pile of tools and go on fatigue somewhere nearby.

Agreed Brian, that's about the same interpretation these photographs are giving me.

[Skutatos]

Re: Landing on James River, 1864-5

Some of the photos at LOC:

http://www.loc.gov/pictures/collection/cwp/item/cwp2003000489/PP/

http://www.loc.gov/pictures/collection/cwp/item/cwp2003000490/PP/

Somethings I noticed:

Firstly I am certain those men are not rebels as I am almost positive this is the same group standing out on the pontoons:



It appears that some of the men in these photographs may belong to the 4th NY Cavalry:



These guys appear to be rolling a blanket:



This guy is wearing his haversack and cartridge box backwards:



And what is going on with "Rambo" here?:



From what little I could find on the 4th NY Cavalry it seems they were not held in high regard and had a serious lack of discipline.