Unidentified Youthful Civil War Federal Soldier (Probably 1861-62)

Figure 1.--This Civil War cased tin type portrait shows an unidentified boy, probably about 15-16 years old. He wears a northern uniform, although we are not sure if it is a U.S. Army or state militia uniform. We think the belt buckle may have the 'US' letters. He is holding a rfe, but he may be a drummer boy. The photo is protected in a case which depicts a beehive with bees, a sheaf of wheat to the left, and a rake to the right. This suggess to us that he comes from one of the Mid-Westrn states like Ohio, Indiana, or Illinois. While undated, we suspect the portrait was taken in 1861 or 1862. The rifle or musket was probably a studio prop rather than the boy's gun.

This Civil War cased tin type portrait shows an unidentified boy, probably about 15-16 years old. He wears a northern uniform, although we are not sure if it is a U.S. Army or state militia uniform. We think the bet buckle may have the 'US' letters. He is holding a rfe, but he my be a drummer boy. The photo is priotected in a case which depicts a beehive with bees, a bundle of wheat to the left, and a rake to the right. This suggess to us that he comes from one of the Mid-Wetrn states like Ohio, Indiana, or Illinois. While undated, we suspect the portrait was taken in 1861 or 1862. One of the fascinating subjects associated with the Civil War. The rifle or musket was probably astudio prop rather than the boy's gun. A reader writes, "Very interesting and I tried to research the image. But all I can do is confirm that it seems to be Union Army jacket and US belt buckle that was very common in regular forces. And from what I have read there were soldiers younger then 18 that were not a drummer or bugle boy so it could be his real weapon. I tried to research what is on his hat but nothing I found looked like that." Our reader is correct that youths younger than 18 years fought in the Civil War. The tounger they were, the more likely they were to be musicians. This youth looks younger thn most soldiers, but youth in the 19th century looked somewhat younger than modern boys. Hopefully other readers will have some insight to offer about this youth.

Created: 7:27 PM 10/26/2012
Last updated: 7:27 PM 10/26/2012