American Historical Ephemera and Photography Featuring the Civil War and American Militaria Collection of Bruce B. Hermann

2 1/4 x 3 5/8 in. CDV on cardstock mount (toning throughout, with wear to edges and corners). Mount recto bears penciled identification, "Russell." Verso bears ink inscription, "CBF / Cabot Jackson Russel (sic) Joined 44th as private went into the 54 (Black) regiment as Captain & was wounded and carried prisoner to Charles-ton [indecipherable] the first attack on Fort Wagner," and pencil inscription, "died that same night we suppose as nothing satisfactory was ever found of him." Russell is featured here wearing first lieutenant shoulders straps and sitting slightly turned toward a table upon which he rests one arm. He is holding what appears to be a small piece of paper in his hands. 

Cabot J. Russell enlisted in the summer of 1862, receiving his sergeant's stripes and mustering into Company F of the 44th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment by that autumn. When Massachusetts Governor John A. Andrew organized the 54th Infantry Regiment, he requested that white soldiers serving in the 44th regiment be on hand to serve as officers of the new African American regiment. Russell answered that call, and was commissioned a first lieutenant of Company D of the 54th in March of 1863. He was soon promoted to the rank of captain, as of Company H, in May. 

Russell and his new command resisted Confederate troops at Grimball's Landing, saving the 10th Connecticut Infantry from destruction and suffering 31 casualties and 12 men captured. Russell's captaincy was a trial by fire, as his unit almost immediately thereafter engaged at Fort Wagner. On 18 July 1863, Colonel Robert Gould Shaw led the 54th against the garrison, advancing toward the rampart upon which he and Russell both sustained mortal gunshot wounds. It is believed that both of their bodies were buried with the enlisted casualties in a mass grave at Fort Wagner, as Russell's remains were never recovered. 

Various sources report that Russell and his father shared anti-slavery beliefs, which may have influenced Russell's initiative to join the 54th Massachusetts.