Photo Question

[mapgar]

Hello everyone this is my first post on these forums. I appreciate the approval from the admin team. I have acquired two cdv's and both are intriguing and left me with questions I hope to get assistance in here. The first one was listed as a surgeon but I have my doubts. I believe this is an officer of the 5th Corps based on the maltese cross on his jacket and the slouch hat on the table. I do realize however that his uniform has no shoulder bars or other rank insignia so I could be way off. The CDV was taken by H.W. Roberts in Rome, N.Y. with period revenue stamps.

The Second photo I am trying to resolve is below. Is this is a soldier or something else entirely? He is wearing a sack coat with no rank and what looks to be Infantry trousers but with a broad stripe down the side. The most interesting bit to me is the insignia on his Kepi. It's origins are a mystery to me. This portrait was taken at the studio of Peter McAdams in Alexandria, VA and also has revenue stamps. Worthy of note is that Peter McAdams was the official photographer for several units in the Army of the Potomac. Thanks all and Happy New Year!

 

[RedRover]

Hello everyone this is my first post on these forums. I appreciate the approval from the admin team. I have acquired two cdv's and both are intriguing and left me with questions I hope to get assistance in here. The first one was listed as a surgeon but I have my doubts. I believe this is an officer of the 5th Corps based on the maltese cross on his jacket and the slouch hat on the table. I do realize however that his uniform has no shoulder bars or other rank insignia so I could be way off. The CDV was taken by H.W. Roberts in Rome, N.Y. with period revenue stamps.
View attachment 494090

It is a military man, and certainly an officer. He has what appears to be military brass buttons on his sack coat, and vest. His hat also bears a military officer's cord, with the "acorns" on the ends. His lack of rank insignia just demonstrate he's in "undress."

I reckon his lone insignia is indeed a corps badge. He is likely a staff officer, as after December, 1861 regimental officers were to wear sky-blue cloth trousers. General and staff officers retained dark blue trousers throughout the war.

For comparison, here's a couple of staff officers with the Army of the Potomac, in blue citizen's sacks, without insignias (other than military buttons), etc., like the chap in your photograph:

The second fellow is certainly wearing a US Army 1858 pattern fatigue sack coat of a private. Army non-commissioned officers were to wear a dark blue stripe on their sky-blue pants. The chap's fancy kepi, collar and fine shoes make me wonder if he is a militiaman of some kind...?

 

[mapgar]

It is a military man, and certainly an officer. He has what appears to be military brass buttons on his sack coat, and vest. His hat also bears a military officer's cord, with the "acorns" on the ends. His lack of rank insignia just demonstrate he's in "undress."

I reckon his lone insignia is indeed a corps badge. He is likely a staff officer, as after December, 1861 regimental officers were to wear sky-blue cloth trousers. General and staff officers retained dark blue trousers throughout the war.

For comparison, here's a couple of staff officers with the Army of the Potomac, in blue citizen's sacks, without insignias (other than military buttons), etc., like the chap in your photograph:
View attachment 494132

View attachment 494133



The second fellow is certainly wearing a US Army 1858 pattern fatigue sack coat of a private. Army non-commissioned officers were to wear a dark blue stripe on their sky-blue pants. The chap's fancy kepi, collar and fine shoes make me wonder if he is a militiaman of some kind...?

Thank you for your fantastic reply. I appreciate it! As for the second pard he sure is a mystery. I couldn't pass it up more so for the fact that it is a McAdams. His work is featured in the library of congress collection.

 

[Sowbelly and Hardtack]

Military Medicine at Wilson's Creek (U.S. National Park Service)

www.nps.gov

"Surgeons could either be commissioned officers of the Union or Confederate army or volunteer officers in state service. Contract surgeons were civilian doctors hired by the army, yet held no commissions and wore no uniforms or insignia of rank. In 1861 there was no military review board for volunteer or contract surgeons. Appointments were often based on nepotism, personal friendships and political patronage, with professional qualifications not the primary consideration. Most surgeons received their training by the apprentice system, training with an older, more experienced doctor, and thus learning out-of-date medical techniques."

 

[scooter748driver]

Welcome from the Fort Sumter and the Fredericksburg forums.

Great pictures! Thank you for sharing them.