Black Officer

[Majalu72]

Can anyone help me date this photo. My gut tells me that this may be a Post Civil war photo. I'm not familiar with the black collar or any black/mullato being able to serve In the Mississippi infantry.

 

[UCVRelics]

Your gut is right. I downloaded the photo and enlarged and I don't see a Miss button and there is NO way this is what it stated on the photo.

 

[major bill]

I am guessing post Civil War. Some other points: No officer rank on coat so why is he being called an officer? Why the U.S. Army emblem on the case if this being said to be the 18th Mississippi, does it indicate 18th Mississippi (Union) Infantry Regiment? The wreath and numbers are not very Civil War looking to me. I am not sure how many Confederate officers I have seen in photos with a wreath and number like this.

Way too many questions about this one to make me feel that who ever wrote the description was correct.

 

[Majalu72]

I am thinking it is a GAR veteran if anything.

 

[major bill]

I am thinking it is a GAR veteran if anything.

This would be my guess as well. His kepi appears to be based on the 1872 pattern enlisted forage cap.

No officer rank on coat, perhaps a 1872 pattern enlisted forage cap seems to say he is not an officer. Some still needs to show me Confederate officers with this type of insignia, especially the 18.

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

That man is not wearing a military uniform.

Post War GAR / or other fraternal group, perhaps ?

 

[chubachus]

I don't think he looks black...

 

[HarlechMan]

I am guessing post Civil War. Some other points: No officer rank on coat so why is he being called an officer? Why the U.S. Army emblem on the case if this being said to be the 18th Mississippi, does it indicate 18th Mississippi (Union) Infantry Regiment? The wreath and numbers are not very Civil War looking to me. I am not sure how many Confederate officers I have seen in photos with a wreath and number like this.

Way too many questions about this one to make me feel that who ever wrote the description was correct.

There was no 18th Mississippi (Union); there were only the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th Infantry (African Descent), and the 1st Mississippi Mounted Rifles.

 

[7thWisconsin]

Except for a rare and well documented few, there were almost no black officers in the Federal forces, except for regimental chaplains. I'm with the others here; this is a misidentification.

 

[Jordan M.E. Williams]

I don't think he looks black...

Hispanic if anything... but that wouldn't make sense either I guess.

 

[Mike Serpa]

I don't think he looks black...

Maybe he is what was known as a quadroon or octoroon?

 

[James N.]

Except for a rare and well documented few, there were almost no black officers in the Federal forces, except for regimental chaplains. I'm with the others here; this is a misidentification.

Technically chaplains weren't officers, although they enjoyed the pay and privileges of majors; however, regimental surgeons and assistant surgeons were, and held ranks of major and captain respectively. I believe most of the photos of black Union officers, including the famous and oft-pictured Martin Delaney below actually show these members of the medical staff. (Note in the text of the marker it reads: "Physician, Scientist, Inventor, African Explorer, Trial Justice, Major in Union Army," etc.)