The Collected Library, Including Americana and Early Photography

6 photographs. Images in varying conditions though most feature some toning and spotting, with wear to mount edges and corners. comprised of the following:

3 CDVs of Elmer Ellsworth, the first conspicuous casualty of the Civil War and the first Union officer to die. First pose, a standing view. Uncredited. Second pose, a standing view. Boston: Silsbee, Case & Co. Third pose, a vignetted view with facsimile signature in lower margin. Boston: Silsbee, Case & Co. -- CDV, standing view of Noah Farnham in uniform. He appears to wear a black mourning band in honor of Elmer Ellsworth. New York: E. & H.T. Anthony (Brady negative), 1861.

Noah L. Farnham (1829-1861), a native of New Haven, CT, enlisted on 4/17/1861 at New York City, NY as a first lieutenant and was commissioned into Co. B, 7th NY State Militia on 4/26/1861. He was discharged for promotion on 5/10/1861 and commissioned into Field & Staff, 11th NY Infantry, serving as second-in-command to Elmer Ellsworth. Following the death of Ellsworth, Lieutenant Colonel Farnham was the obvious choice to take charge of the 11th NY Volunteers. His appointment was graded as temporary, he was not commissioned as the regiment’s colonel and remained at rank while in command. Farnham became one of the earliest casualties of the Civil War to succumb to a traumatic brain injury. He was shot in the head at the First Battle of Bull Run on 7/21/1861, and when surgeons examined the wound they believed it to be relatively minor. However, their observations failed to reveal the fatal damage to Furnham's brain. He subsequently died of wounds on 8/14/1861 at Bull Run, VA.

[With:] Stereoview of a group of men gathered together at the Marshall House in Alexandria, Virginia. Uncredited. The Marshall House was the site of what is often considered the first Union casualty of the Civil War. In May of 1861, Colonel Elmer Ellsworth traveled across the Potomac River and entered the Marshall House to remove a large Confederate flag, which was reportedly visible from the White House, flying atop the inn. Ellsworth was shot dead by the innkeeper on the way down the stairs from the roof. His story inspired patriotism across the Union and his name became a rallying cry, with some regiments even calling themselves "Ellsworth's Avengers."

[Also with:] 7 x 5 in. (sight) albumen photograph under 10 x 8 in. mat/mount featuring studio portrait of a young soldier with period notation on mount verso, "Sept. 1861/ F Co. 44th NY Vols." The inscription indicates that the soldier served with the 44th New York Volunteers, also known as "Ellsworth's Avengers."