On Lookout Mountain.

[Robert Gray]

Part of General Geary's Staff. Taken on Lookout Mountain on Christmas Day 1863.
National Gallery of Art

 

[Nathan Stuart]

Thought the pictured shorter looking fellow seated on the ground on the left side might be Capt. James Gillette (1838-1881) who served on Gen. Geary's staff. (see https://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/98506791/ ).

And thought the pictured leaning officer in the center of the three standing officers looks like Capt. Thomas Hollingsworth Elliott (1837-1864), who also served on Geary's staff and was killed at Peachtree Creek, GA. (See https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/9191549/thomas_hollingsworth-elliott ).

 

[Stryker65]

Guy in the middle there is REALLY reclining...

 

[Nathan Stuart]

Guy in the middle there is REALLY reclining...

Yes, that's a better description for his photographic pose. (He could have been exhausted from the hill climb or 'under the weather' from the celebrations.)

 

[JerryD]

Guy in the middle there is REALLY reclining...

Must be. Or he has really stubby legs.

Guy sitting on the left also looks really short.

 

[gc45]

and what would Officers be doing with the basket?

 

[Stryker65]

and what would Officers be doing with the basket?

Picnic, maybe?

 

[Allyn]

By any chance is the second person from the right a young woman? She appears to be wearing a skirt, has a round baby-face, and certainly doesn't look like a soldier, or at least not like the rest of this group. I could be mistaken, but it might make sense if a young woman was invited along on a Christmas day picnic.

 

[Stryker65]

By any chance is the second person from the right a young woman? She appears to be wearing a skirt, has a round baby-face, and certainly doesn't look like a soldier, or at least not like the rest of this group. I could be mistaken, but it might make sense if a young woman was invited along on a Christmas day picnic.

I was thinking that as well, until I saw the star on the front of their hat. That's not a common symbol for civilian hats, is it?

 

[Nathan Stuart]

Agree. Looks like they've set up for a picnic - plated food, bottled liquid, basket etc..

The seated figure (second from right) might be a boy soldier wearing a uniform and accoutrements - maybe a musician, orderly, courier etc..

 

[Cornpone and Molasses]

I own an escutcheon and foot officers sword attributed to one of General Geary's staff officers in the 33rd NJ Infantry.

 

[ColonelBuckwalter]

Picnic, maybe?

Liquid lunch?

 

[Mike Serpa]

Geary Blvd. in San Francisco runs in an east to west direction was named after General John Geary. Almost six miles long.

 

[Stryker65]

Geary Blvd. in San Francisco runs in an east to west direction was named after General John Geary. Almost six miles long.
View attachment 571376

My dad grew up near there. Wasn't Geary the first mayor of San Fran?

 

[gc45]

By any chance is the second person from the right a young woman? She appears to be wearing a skirt, has a round baby-face, and certainly doesn't look like a soldier, or at least not like the rest of this group. I could be mistaken, but it might make sense if a young woman was invited along on a Christmas day picnic.

In looking again you may be correct. The hat looks more female style as does the face; the possibility of a dress is certainly there. Maybe she brought the basket with lunch inside..

 

[Mike Serpa]

My dad grew up near there. Wasn't Geary the first mayor of San Fran?

Yes

 

[Enoch L. Cade]

I was thinking that as well, until I saw the star on the front of their hat. That's not a common symbol for civilian hats, is it?

Would it be a young boy? the son of one of the officers? E.g., Grant's son was with him at Vicksburg.

Great picture - thank you for sharing.

 

[Nathan Stuart]

Agree - it's likely this young person had a familial connection with one of those officers present to be allowed to accompany them to attend this celebratory meet (of this exclusive small group) up on the mountain. But after reviewing the various possibilities posted on this young person's gender, thought the young person could be either a boy or girl, wearing a lent or gifted military hat for the photographic occasion.