Can you help identify uniform?

[AnitaGib]

 

[E_just_E]

See those sleeves' ends? French. They wore their rank on their sleeves. (some Brits did, but this is not one of them.)
I'd venture to guess 1830s- 1840s French Infantry. Could be another European uniform as well.

 

[Legion Para]

This image lacks clarity and detail to make a positive unit identification. With that said, this young man is wearing a post Civil War Cadet or Militia coatee. You can see part of the tail by his left hand. His epaulets designate rank, not the facings on his sleeve.

Definitely not a French uniform. I would be more than happy to put you in contact with the fine folks at the French Army Museum in Paris.

AnitaGib is this a picture of a family member? Do you have any idea where your family was living in the 1860s to 1880s?

 

[Legion Para]

I am not well versed on womens fashions. Perhaps another forum can help date the image by what the young lady is wearing.

 

[Nathanb1]

Definitely post war....haircut, collar, cut of pants are all pointing.to late 1800's.

 

[AnitaGib]

This image lacks clarity and detail to make a positive unit identification. With that said, this young man is wearing a post Civil War Cadet or Militia coatee. You can see part of the tail by his left hand. His epaulets designate rank, not the facings on his sleeve.

Definitely not a French uniform. I would be more than happy to put you in contact with the fine folks at the French Army Museum in Paris.

AnitaGib is this a picture of a family member? Do you have any idea where your family was living in the 1860s to 1880s?

Yes, This is a photo I obtained from the Arkansas History Commission in Little Rock. Found it listed online. Only info with it was " Mr. John Gabriel Nichols from Sharp County Arkansas". I went there myself after receiving with no other info and there was nothing as to when or from where the picture came. He is back in Powhatan, Lawrence County Arkansas by the 1870 Census but leaves his family shortly after that to go to "Indian Territory" never to return.

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

this young man is wearing a post Civil War Cadet or Militia coatee.

My first thought as well.

I am not well versed on womens fashions. Perhaps another forum can help date the image by what the young lady is wearing.

Neither am I, but I would also guess her dress as late nineteenth century.

 

[major bill]

The rank appear to be on the epaulets. Like this but with fringe added.

I believe this si a militia officer form the 1870s or later. This type of epaulet's, minus the fringe, were worn from 1872 to 1903 by the U.S. Army officers. Because I believe he is in the militia it could be after 1903 as the National Guard could have worn them longer. Based on the style of coat and the style of shirt I am tentatively saying the 1880s or early 1890s.This could be studied more and I would start with the woman's dress. Women dress styes change frequently and we might have a forum member that can narrow this down by the style of dress.

 

[Legion Para]

AnitaGib did you see the actual image in person? If yes, was there a photographer's imprint?

By the 1880's and 1890's cabinet cards were more commonplace. Based on this image it is not a cabinet card.

 

[AnitaGib]

AnitaGib did you see the actual image in person? If yes, was there a photographer's imprint?

By the 1880's and 1890's cabinet cards were more commonplace. Based on this image it is not a cabinet card.

I held the actual image in my gloved hands. There was no markings at all on the photo except the number 474 written in pencil on the back of the photograph which the employee at the archive had no explanation for. There was no photographer's imprint nor any other marking. He is my "ghost". 1870 Census has him 27 years old which would put birth at the 1842-43 range. Family records have him as born 1840 in Tennessee, Died 1885 Texarkana (Unknown if Texas or Arkansas) . I should mention the 1870 Census has the last name as "Nichehools" but I believe this to be the census takers botched attempt as I have found this spelling no where else.
Could you please educate me on "Civil War Cadet or Militia Coatee"?

After reviewing the information you provided on a "Cabinet Card" I should tell you that the photo I saw at the archives seemed to be just that, a black and white photo. It was not a card or on any thickened paper. The color was not sepia nor any other variation, just black and white. It seemed to be of similar thickness of the photo paper we see today. There was a negative in the envelope also, approximately 2 by 2 inches and appeared to be the exact image of the photo. I guess it is possible that the archives obtained the negative and the photo was made at a later date?

 

[Legion Para]

 

[major bill]

Looked at a few things and still see 1880s to mid 1890s.

 

[Legion Para]

Was it a glass plate negative?

 

[Legion Para]

A 'Cadet' is someone who is attending a military academy such as West Point, Annapolis, the Air Force Academy, Virginia Military Institute, the Citadel or one of the smaller schools like the Valley Forge Military Academy and College. Military Academies were more commonplace in the 1800's than present day.

 

[Legion Para]

 

[AnitaGib]

Was it a glass plate negative?

No. I would describe it as a negative similar to those I remember from those when we still all had 35 mm cameras except the size was unusual to me, 2 by 2 inches.

 

[AnitaGib]

A 'Cadet' is someone who is attending a military academy such as West Point, Annapolis, the Air Force Academy, Virginia Military Institute, the Citadel or one of the smaller schools like the Valley Forge Military Academy and College. Military Academies were more commonplace in the 1800's than present day.

As far as I know, my Nichols ancestors were poor, farmers and blacksmiths. Would one have to be wealthy to have attended a military academy?

 

[major bill]

I see a disconnect between the year of birth and the age of the militiaman. I put his age in the photo as early 20s to late twenties. so this photo would have to be taken by 1873. The epaulets are first worn in 1872 so far so good. My issue is the dress looks more mid 1890s. I see details in the uniform that tells me mid 1880s or 1890s. The militiaman just does not look to be in his late or early to mid 40s.

I do not see many National Guard or militia companies adopting this type of shoulder epaulets before the Army did in 1872.

 

[AnitaGib]

I see a disconnect between the year of birth and the age of the militiaman. I put his age in the photo as early 20s to late twenties. so this photo would have to be taken by 1873. The epaulets are first worn in 1872 so far so good. My issue is the dress looks more mid 1890s. I see details in the uniform that tells me mid 1880s or 1890s. The militiaman just does not look to be in his late or early to mid 40s.

I do not see many National Guard or militia companies adopting this type of shoulder epaulets before the Army did in 1872.

I also see a couple in their 20's but have been hesitant to state such.

 

[Legion Para]

During this time period the only US Military Academies were West Point and Annapolis.

The following history of West Point will give you details concerning their acceptance policies during the 1800's. Things were somewhat different at the non US Government Academies. I will see if I can find the enrollment policies.

Not all graduates from Military Academies came from wealthy families.