American Historical Ephemera & Photography

15 7/8 x 20 in. portrait on board of young man identified as "H.A. Harrison" (minor abrasions, loss to color near center bottom left, wear especially along edge lines). Verso with inscription "A copy of a Picture at Memphis tennasee / When i was 19 years old in 1863 on the gun boat Covington." Originally housed in gold frame but frame backing and glass missing.

The USS Covington was a Union gunboat which served as part of the Mississippi Squadron. On 20 June 1863 the ship arrived at Memphis before sailing the following day. The Covington was attacked on 27 April 1864 and the crew forced to abandon the ship and set it on fire. Official records of the Union and Confederate Navies indicate that on 14 May 1864 a  seaman named Henry A. Harrison and other sailors and officers from the Covington were received on board the USS Blackhawk, perhaps providing a fuller identification for the sailor pictured here. 

[With:] Civil War era colorized ¾ length portrait of artillery man in shell jacket (light soil, abrasions, chipping to frame).  Housed in original frame. 14 x 19 1/2 in. (sight) framed to 22 x 28 in. Tag attached to frame indicates "His last name was Hibarger." -- Bust portrait of Union soldier in uniform including kepi, 13 1/2 x 18 in. (sight) framed to 24 1/4 x 28 in. (extensive wear to wooden frame). Identified on verso as "Edward Mitchell younger years." -- Oval Civil War portrait of a young soldier in uniform and armed with bayonet,14 x 20 in.