Union Soldier Profiles

[Hajnasiewicz]

Did soldiers always have a photo taken when they enlisted? Specifically from Wisconsin. I ordered complete files from NARA but no photos included. Is there another source I should research? Thank you.

 

[Yulie]

Did soldiers always have a photo taken when they enlisted? .

No. It was their own personal choice, finances and access to a photographer which would result in a photograph being taken. The ability to be photographed in the mid-19th century was not accessible and affordable to everyone.

I ordered complete files from NARA but no photos included. Is there another source I should research? Thank you.

The NARA is the depository for Civil War service and pension records. You could access the service records on Fold3. You might luck out if a soldier was wounded and hospitalized. There have been instances when a surgeon caused a photograph to be taken. If hospitalized, I would check archives who maintain the records for that hospital in the hopes that whomever you are researching is among the records (including photographs). A recent discussion on this forum highlighted a historic photograph of hospitalized identified soldiers which was included in a college chancellor's papers for 140 odd years. Also, consider the GAR post archives as identified photographs have been known to turn up there. No telling... Just keep digging if you have some evidence that a photograph exists.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

-Yulie

 

[Deleted User CS]

Did soldiers always have a photo taken when they enlisted? Specifically from Wisconsin. I ordered complete files from NARA but no photos included. Is there another source I should research? Thank you.

The best source in the United States for civil war photography is the Army Heritage and Education Center in Carlisle, Pa. Their direct contact number is: (717)245-3949. Ask for Rod or Rich Baker.

 

[Keiri]

Having studied Wisconsin civil war soldiers at length, I can tell you there were no official photos taken. Even if the soldier had one taken, it would almost never be in the Nara files. They usually mailed them home. Civil war soldier photos are very precious, most of us would be thrilled to find one. So expect it to not be easy.

 

[Mike Serpa]

"Racine County militant; an illustrated narrative of war times, and a soldiers' roster; a pioneer publication undertaken in the interest of patriotic Americans in Racine County, Wisconsin. A home-made book, about home people, for home people"
by Leach, Eugene Walter, 1857-
Published 1915
https://archive.org/stream/racinecountymili00leac#page/n9/mode/2up

Lots of Civil War and Span-Am War photos of Racine County soldiers.

 

[chubachus]

"Racine County militant; an illustrated narrative of war times, and a soldiers' roster; a pioneer publication undertaken in the interest of patriotic Americans in Racine County, Wisconsin. A home-made book, about home people, for home people"
by Leach, Eugene Walter, 1857-
Published 1915
https://archive.org/stream/racinecountymili00leac#page/n9/mode/2up

Lots of Civil War and Span-Am War photos of Racine County soldiers.

One interesting find I made... I posted the original ambrotype of Seneca Flint (page 33) a while back: http://civilwartalk.com/threads/union-cavalryman-seneca-flint.117979/

 

[Mike Serpa]

One interesting find I made... I posted the original ambrotype of Seneca Flint (page 33) a while back: http://civilwartalk.com/threads/union-cavalryman-seneca-flint.117979/

The exact same photo!