7th NYSM

[Johnschut]

I was browsing through the LOC and found this.

I thought it was interesting to see how low his canteen and haversack seem to sit. also how the blanket was wrapped around him. It looks like he never went on a campaign.

http://cdn.loc.gov/service/pnp/cwpb/05200/05290v.jpg

[jtrotta]

Re: 7th NYSM

It looks like he never went on a campaign.


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http://cdn.loc.gov/service/pnp/cwpb/05200/05290v.jpg

Considering the 7th NYSM's service record, and the time this photo was likely taken..... I think your assumption is a good one.

[jake.koch]

Re: 7th NYSM

I do like the way he has his pipe displayed in his kepi. I think you are certainly correct in that he was not a hardened campaigner (at least at this point).

[FranklinGuardsNYSM]

Re: 7th NYSM

This series of images was made at Brady's D.C. studio (the carpet pattern is the giveaway on these...Lincoln's kids appear in a Brady-identified photo with it before Willie's death.) The pipes in the kepis were actually widespread as a bit of a regimental fad in the 7th. They had made the trek from NYC, and were going into camp at Fort Federal Hill during this time.

[Johnschut]

Re: 7th NYSM

It's amazing to actually take the time and browse the records. I just kinda laugh though at the fact they did the same thing you see in some mainstream units (which I am of one hopefully to bring some like minded ppl over and lead by example) with the haversack and canteen being low. That to me was the dead give away that he hadn't marched to long with those things beating away at him. However Im going to continue the research and see if I can find anymore pictures of blankets wrapped that way, I can't imagine to many combat vets doing it that way but again I could be surprised.

[FranklinGuardsNYSM]

Re: 7th NYSM

The 7th was very specific about its equipment, particularly since the men were financially responsible for most of it. The overcoats were ideally rolled atop their packs, and the blankets folded into a square beneath the outer body straps, unless the overcoat was worn, in which case the blanket would be rolled on top. There is at least one other photo from the 7th, of a Sergeant from the Engineer Company, whose blanket is worn across his body, and secured UNDER his belt.

They adopted a bit of swagger and non-regulation devil-may-caredness that almost belies their pedigree in a short time, though; some of their camp lounging is as jaunty as the boys of '64.

[BobRoeder]

Re: 7th NYSM

... interesting to see how low his canteen and haversack seem to sit. also how the blanket was wrapped around him.

Just last night I was looking through an article in Military Images Vol. XX, No. 5, March/April 1999 - "The Dandy 7th: A Selection of Photos of the 7th Regiment, NYSM of the collection of David O'Reilly", there are at least two images of soldiers wearing their blankets across their bodies - one is the "engineer" mentioned by Mr. Hermann - according to the caption he is carrying an "1847 sapper's musketoon" as opposed to the usual Springfield R-M. The second fellow is Pvt. H.T. Teer.

All the studio images I have seen of the 7th NYSM, the men are wearing their uncovered canteens very low, and their haversacks, if present, are slung low and sometimes under their waist belt. Lastly, the above mentioned Pvt. Teer and another fellow, Pvt. Benkard both have pipes under the kepi chin straps.

[FranklinGuardsNYSM]

Re: 7th NYSM

The mention of pipes is written upon their return to New York: "A soldierly man always looks tidy, and this the characteristic of the Seventh Regiment members was maintained yesterday, in spite of uniforms somewhat worn and faded, a decoration of smoked pipes in the cap and other eccentricities."