Photo question

[19thGeorgia]

Has anyone ever seen this photo? Know anything about it?

 

[GwilymT]

Looks like a Union soldier.

 

[UCVRelics]

With the belt plate he's wearing I'm leaning CS

 

[mofederal]

Louisiana Waist belt plate or a Marine Enlisted belt plate.

 

[UCVRelics]

One thing that people don't realizes is that when a soldier (either side) when into town to get his photo taken most weren't allowed to take weapons etc. The photographer had props. In this photo you can see he had a pistol tucked in his belt.

 

[19thGeorgia]

With the belt plate he's wearing I'm leaning CS

Is it correct that Union officers and nco's wore rectangular belt plates but privates wore an oval plate?

 

[JD Mayo]

Is it correct that Union officers and nco's wore rectangular belt plates but privates wore an oval plate?

Privates would wear mainly any of their own belts they could find. Only NCO's and Officers had belt plates.

 

[19thGeorgia]

One thing that people don't realizes is that when a soldier (either side) when into town to get his photo taken most weren't allowed to take weapons etc. The photographer had props. In this photo you can see he had a pistol tucked in his belt.

Most of the time, but sometimes you see photos with what appears to be their own weapons.

Man of 1st MS Cavalry w/carbine

 

[James N.]

Is it correct that Union officers and nco's wore rectangular belt plates but privates wore an oval plate?

Regulation Union Belt and Cartridge Box Plates | Relic Hunting & Collecting

These are originals I have acquired over the past half-century; unfortunately there aren't any of the rare or unusual state or militia plates included in my collection. I've always been attracted to the common items that saw widespread use like these. First, the three-prong oval U S plate on...

civilwartalk.com

 

[James N.]

One thing that people don't realizes is that when a soldier (either side) when into town to get his photo taken most weren't allowed to take weapons etc. The photographer had props. In this photo you can see he had a pistol tucked in his belt.

But first-class military-style arms like the musket and its bayonet seen here likely aren't props. Another factor to consider regarding photos of common enlisted soldiers like this was the prevalence, especially while in camp, of traveling photographers who would visit permanent camps, especially during periods of inactive campaigning. Even and especially then soldiers had easy recourse to their own weapons.

 

[James N.]

Is it correct that Union officers and nco's wore rectangular belt plates but privates wore an oval plate?

Privates would wear mainly any of their own belts they could find. Only NCO's and Officers had belt plates.

Baloney - and especially note the question was about Union soldiers, not Confederates who were possibly more prone to improvisation in their gear.

 

[JD Mayo]

Baloney - and especially note the question was about Union soldiers, not Confederates who were possibly more prone to improvisation in their gear.

Gotcha I was saying for Confederates though.

 

[UCVRelics]

But first-class military-style arms like the musket and its bayonet seen here likely aren't props. Another factor to consider regarding photos of common enlisted soldiers like this was the prevalence, especially while in camp, of traveling photographers who would visit permanent camps, especially during periods of inactive campaigning. Even and especially then soldiers had easy recourse to their own weapons.

Several thing tell me they may be props. Most infantry soldiers did not carry pistols stuck in their belts and I don't see a cap or cartridge box.

 

[Robert Gray]

Is it correct that Union officers and nco's wore rectangular belt plates but privates wore an oval plate?

The Model 1851 Sword Belt Plate was worn by officers and enlisted men in the cavalry. Infantry sergeants, although authorized to wear them, usually stuck with the standard oval belt plate.

 

[James N.]

Several thing tell me they may be props. Most infantry soldiers did not carry pistols stuck in their belts and I don't see a cap or cartridge box.
View attachment 373430

I'm not questioning the pistol as a possible prop - notice in my post I didn't mention IT - but the musket and bayonet are almost certainly his issue arm. These two tintypes from my collection which I've posted before illustrate what I was talking about in regard to traveling photographers in camp. The fellow above is likely in an improvised field studio - notice the lack of any large props, painted backdrop, etc. other than the simple canvas stretched around some sort of frame - and although he too has a pistol stuck in his belt, everything else looks like regulation issue. The chap below, however, is totally lacking in almost everything EXCEPT his longarm and bayonet, including jacket and accouterments. I can imagine him strolling through camp and seeing the photo session going on and not bothering to return to his tent and "prettying up." In that particular case, his weapon might well be a borrowed one, making it a "prop" of sorts, but from one of his mates for the photo and not the photographer.

 

[19thGeorgia]

I found the source of the photo. It was published in The Visual Dictionary of the Civil War, p.16. It is described as "photograph of 1st Louisiana Native Guard member, collection of Dr. Keith Cangelosi, Confederate Memorial Hall" (New Orleans, LA).

 

[CowCavalry]

I found the source of the photo. It was published in The Visual Dictionary of the Civil War, p.16. It is described as "photograph of 1st Louisiana Native Guard member, collection of Dr. Keith Cangelosi, Confederate Memorial Hall" (New Orleans, LA).

From Wikipedia:

"The 1st Louisiana Native Guard (later became the 73rd Regiment Infantry U.S. Colored Troops) was one of the first all-black regiments to fight in the Union Army during the American Civil War. It was based in New Orleans, Louisiana, and played a prominent role in the Siege of Port Hudson. Its members included a minority of free men of color from New Orleans; most were African-American former slaves who had escaped to join the Union cause and gain freedom.

A predecessor regiment by the same name, 1st Louisiana Native Guard (CSA), had served in the militia of Confederate Louisiana. It was made up entirely of free men of color."

I saw an episode of the genealogy program on public tv and the segment included Bryant Gumbel. His direct ancestor served in a LA CSA home guard in NOLA if I am not mistaken before switching sides. I think it may have been this outfit.

 

[19thGeorgia]

I found the source of the photo. It was published in The Visual Dictionary of the Civil War, p.16. It is described as "photograph of 1st Louisiana Native Guard member, collection of Dr. Keith Cangelosi, Confederate Memorial Hall" (New Orleans, LA).

Several years ago I asked Art Bergeron if he knew of any photos of Confederate NG members. This was his reply:
"I have seen one image of a soldier thought to be a member of the Confederate Louisiana Native Guards. He is unidentified. The photo is privately owned but has been on loan at various times to Memorial Hall in New Orleans and used in one of their displays."

Sounds like the same photo.

 

[James N.]

Deleted

 

[19thGeorgia]

I realize there's not a lot to go by, but can anybody identify the type of musket? I'm guessing Model 1842-