Confederate's captured at Fisher's Hill

[justthemiller]

Re: Confederate's captured at Fisher's Hill

One item I noticed in the photos is the one that is just below the single, blown-up photo of the cavalryman. If one looks at the butts of the stacked rifle-muskets it looks like that at least some of them have patch boxes on them which would make them a type of Model 1855 Springfield rifle-musket. That and the use of Sibley tents just might be telling as to the date of the photo. The site of Fisher's Hill might be correct but it could be 1862 instead of 1864 as to just when this photo was taken. Just my opinion however.

[OleMissRebel]

Re: Confederate's captured at Fisher's Hill

One item I noticed in the photos is the one that is just below the single, blown-up photo of the cavalryman. If one looks at the butts of the stacked rifle-muskets it looks like that at least some of them have patch boxes on them which would make them a type of Model 1855 Springfield rifle-musket. That and the use of Sibley tents just might be telling as to the date of the photo. The site of Fisher's Hill might be correct but it could be 1862 instead of 1864 as to just when this photo was taken. Just my opinion however.

James, very good observation. Those appear to be the only 1855's that are able to be spotted. Interesting that they are all grouped together, as it shows that they were issued en masse to whatever company that is.

[Andrew Kasmar]

Re: Confederate's captured at Fisher's Hill

Hi,

That is very interesting about the 1855 rifles. In the 5th picture down, the man all of the way to the right, directly behind the row of muskets has a dark color pair of pants on. This would make it appear that the photo was taken in 1862, because these were still being issued in some amount at this piont in the war. Also the 1855 rifles would also suggest that the photo was taken in 1862. Does any one know what state the Federal troops are from in this picture?

[dcwilliams29id]

Re: Confederate's captured at Fisher's Hill

My Great-Great-Great- Grandfather was captured at Fishers Hill - he rode with the 4th VA cavalry Co. B and was captured there on 10/9/1864.

Pretty wild to think he could be in that photograph - thanks for sharing.

[CJSchumacher]

Re: Confederate's captured at Fisher's Hill

Hi,

I think the picture was taken in 1864, because in 1862 you would have seen the cavalry in shell jackets mainly. But as the war progressed these shell jackets were replaced by the Federal issue sack coat, and since I am unable to find a single cavalry shell I believe the photo was taken in 1864.

Not to get too off track, but...

This is grossly over-generalized and simply wrong. There are likely two fellows wearing cavalry uniform jackets and possibly three. Second, the term shell jacket is one that's modern and not seen written by the quartermaster or in unit or company returns for clothing that I've ever seen (I surely haven't seen everything). But lastly, the fact that "late war" meant sack coats vs. uniform jackets is entirely mis-leading. It mattered only on what was available, when, and from which depot that depended on what uniforms troops wore. Specifically, there are first person confederate accounts of Custer's men in "yellow-trimmed jackets" at Five Forks. That's right before war's end! What about all those artillery guys recovering confederate guns around Petersburg. The artillery branch, in fact, seems to have been able to keep large parts of its troops in uniform jackets from photo evidence, both in fixed and field positions. Check out the Maine state archives for some great 1865 images of battery photos taken like they were class pictures at the Statehouse. Amazing pieces of clothing...including frocks, uniform jackets, kepis, hats, forage caps, etc.

Example: 3rd Battery, 1st ME Light Artillery


2nd Battery, 1st ME Light Artillery



The idea that union troops weren't in sacks as well as frock coats, uniform jackets, and even dark blue trousers in some cases is false. Its the federal equivalent of the ragged rebel myth late in the war.