Album containing 25 CDVs, including Union Generals and identified members of the 39th Illinois Infantry, the majority with Brady or E. & H.T. Anthony backmarks.
In descending order of highest attained rank, the subjects from the 39th IL identified in period ink include: Outdoor view of Thomas Osborn as Colonel of the 39th IL, who was later brevetted Brig. Gen. on 3/65, and Maj. Gen. on 5/65, WIA Drewry's Bluff, VA 5/64; outdoor view of Maj. S.S. Linton; Capt. Adolphus B. Hoffman, autographed on verso; Capt. Joseph Woodruff, KIA at Morris Island, SC 9/23/63; outdoor view of Hospital Steward, Dr. Anthony DeNormandie; outdoor view of 2nd Lieut. John Frame; outdoor view of 2nd Lieut. James Burrill.
The album also contains images of the following Union Generals: Henry Washington Benham; John Buford; Napoleon B. Buford; Quincy Adams Gillmore; two views of U.S. Grant; Joseph Hooker; August Kautz; John Logan; George McClellan; George Meade; standing figure tentatively identified as George W. Morgan; Thomas Seymour, career soldier who fought in the Mexican War and Civil War, commanding Union Troops at the Battle of Olustee, the largest Civil War battle fought in Florida; Orlando Willcox; standing view of officer identified as Col. Homer Bostwick; carte of Pennsylvania private identified as George Flouck (?); Fredricks & Co. carte of Jefferson Davis; and patriotic carte featuring oval portraits of Presidents Lincoln and Washington.
One of the few Illinois regiments to serve in the eastern theater, the 39th IL, nicknamed "Yates Phalanx," was initially attached to the Dept. of West Virginia and briefly the Army of the Potomac (2nd, 5th, 4th Corps) where it was detached to Valley operations fighting at Winchester. After a short spell at Suffolk with the 7th Corps the 39th was then assigned to the Dept. of the South joining in January 1863. Thereafter, the regiment served successively in the 18th, 10th, and 24th Corps participating in the assault on Morris Island and the siege of Forts Wagner and Gregg during the summer of 1863.
The 39th IL's crowning glory came on April 2, 1865 during the attack on Fort Gregg described as "the key to the works about Petersburg and Richmond." The 39th displayed extraordinary gallantry in this charge across an open field completely covered "from the front and a raking cross fire from each side" being "the first to plant its colors upon the works." The regiment was presented with "a magnificent brazen eagle, cast for the purpose" by corps commander Major General John Gibbon.
The regiment participated in the Appomattox campaign and witnessed the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginal being specially detailed to "guard over the camps and baggage of the conquered army." The 39th IL mustered out on December 12, 1865, formally turning over to the State Adjutant General its "battle torn flags" including the presentation eagle won at Ft. Gregg.
Condition
Light to heavy wear to the CDVs. The outdoor views of members of 39th IL appear to have undergone heavier wear, with some toning and staining to cartes. View of Dr. DeNormandie has horizontal crease just above center of carte.