American Historical Ephemera and Photography

Full standing portrait featuring an unidentified militia private wearing Continental-style uniform. (Chemical discoloration along edge, some surface imperfections, image a bit dark, mat with some oxidation; unsealed.) Housed in a pressed paper case (almost fully separated at spine, with some additional separation and loss).

According to Phil Katcher's American Civil War Armies (5): Volunteer Militia, "this form f dress became quite popular throughout the United States during the period just before the Civil War, although in my experience I've seen few examples in period photographs."

The soldier featured here could have been a member of Connecticut's Putnam Phalanx, formed in 1858. The uniform worn by that unit was blue with light colored buff facing and cuffs, with a buff waistcoat. The oval belt plate and cross belt plate here have been gilded, obscuring any details. As an organized company the Phalanx saw no Civil War service, though some individual members did enlist in other Connecticut units raised during the war.