American Historical Ephemera and Photography

Sixth plate tintype standing portrait of a youthful soldier wearing a regulation 9-button frock coat and forage cap, and holding a bayonetted Springfield rifled musket with both hands. His bayonet scabbard can be seen hanging from his belt. (Spotting, bending, and creasing to plate, with some surface abrading and residue; unsealed.) Housed in a pressed paper case. -- CDV studio portrait of the same soldier wearing the same uniform but without a weapon. Approx. 2 1/8 x 3 5/16 in. on cardstock mount (some splotching, few areas of discoloration to image and mount, one notable puncture to right of subject's leg, soiling and wear to mount). Uncredited, but with ink inscription on mount recto identifying the subject as "Watson W. Beach." -- Together 2 portraits of the same soldier in different photographic media. 

Watson W. Beach enlisted as a private at Augusta, NY on 12 August 1862. He mustered into Company G of the 117th New York Infantry Regiment the following day. 2 years later, on 29 September 1864, he was later reported as "missing" after the Battle of Fort Gilmer (aka New Market Heights, aka Chapin's Farm). The heavy fighting at Fort Gilmer was a result of Grant's 2-pronged offensive against the Richmond defenses. The northern thrust above the James River consisted of the X Corps attacking the fort on the New Market Road. The attack failed and Private Beach became one of 5 men missing in addition to regimental losses comprising 2 killed, 11 wounded and 3 prisoners. Tragically, it seemed 23-year-old Watson Beach had simply vanished among the detritus of war. 

A "Final Statement" regarding Private Beach, dated 9 June 1865, concludes that the young soldier "Died of wounds received in action Sept 29th 1864," and that he was due 75 dollars from the United States Government. 

Photocopied records for Watson W. Beach obtained from the National Archives accompany this lot.