Untouched Civil War Navy CDV Album Containing Identified Naval Subjects that Likely Served with the Atlantic Blockade
Leather bound album, 3.5 x 5 in., containing a view of an unidentified warship followed by twenty uniformed naval subjects (plus two more in civilian dress), all identified in period pencil by last name only but in the same hand throughout. Of the twenty-two images, ten are positively identified by rank, five more are named but not positively identified, three are presumably officers in civilian attire, two other penciled last names are illegible, and the last two are named enlisted sailors. Album likely assembled sometime during 1864, as nearly all of the uniformed officers exhibit aspects of rank insignia consistent with the 1864 Regulations. Disproportionate number of engineers in the album contraindicates that these officers and men are from the same ship, while the concentration of technical officers suggests either a shared comradeship by branch of service, or perhaps an unnamed school ship. The array of eastern seaboard back marks are indicative of service afloat with the Atlantic blockade. Other than the penciled last names on album pages there is no other writing in album itself.
The first carte is a detailed copy illustration of an unidentified American steam-sailing warship underway in heavy seas flying the Stars and Stripes. J. Hansen, Marine Painter: NY
. Three guns are visible, fore, aft and amidships.
Sailors pictured in the album include enlisted sailor named "
White" on album page; however on verso the name "
Duncan E. Reid" is inked. Uncredited; "
Rogers." Bogardus: NY. This officer appears to be a third assistant engineer, as the Navy List had four officers so-named, all with same rank - unknown; "
Chamberlain." Barcalow: NY.
Charles C. Chamberlain: mate 8/7/63, discharged 7/29/65; "
Bennett" in civilian attire - unknown; "
Harris." William Richardson: Williamsburg, VA. In fatigue jacket without insignia - unknown; "
Osborn." Kellogg & Touchy: NY.
Francis G. Osborn: acting ensign 8/20/63, acting master 12/6/64, discharged 7/16/66; "
Bryant." J. Ramsdell: NY. Probably
William H. Bryant: mate 10/11/61, acting ensign 9/4/63, discharged 10/8/68; "
Sle"? (illegible). Critcherson & Leland: Worchester, MA - unknown master; "
Barton." A.M. Jacobs: Brooklyn, NY. Probably
James A. Barton: third assistant engineer 1/16/63, resigned 3/5/68; enlisted sailor named "
Blakeman" with Hong Kong imprint; "
Nagle." Augustus Morand: Brooklyn, NY. Two possibilities in Navy List, either
Augustus F. Nagle or
Charles F. Nagle, both third assistant engineers; "
Slosson." Bendann Bros.: Philadelphia, PA.
Henry L. Slosson: acting third assistant engineer 9/29/63, third assistant engineer 10/13/63, second assistant engineer 8/1/66, passed assistant engineer 10/27/74, resigned 9/15/83; "
Vanderbilt." William Richardson: Williamsburg, VA. Showing only a canted anchor on cap with star on sleeve. Probably
Aaron Vanderbilt: mate 7/20/63, acting ensign 2/1/65, discharged 10/12/65, or alternatively
Wm. W. Vanderbilt, a third assistant engineer; "
K. (A)burn" (?). C.D. Fredericks: NY. Possibly a midshipman with single star on sleeve, carrying sword. Partially illegible but no one named "Auburn" in Navy List; "
Sim(ms)." Winslow: NY. No insignia showing, possibly a sail maker or carpenter under 1864 Regulations - unknown; "
Jones." Sherman & Co.: Brooklyn, NY. In civilian dress - unknown; Name illegible, in same hand as others. Likely an officer but this young man in civilian dress - unknown; "
DeWolf" without imprint.
William H. DeWolf: acting master 11/16/61, discharged 11/4/65; "
Kenyon" without imprint. Two possibilities in Navy List, either
Albert J. Kenyon or
Charles W. Kenyon, both third assistant engineers - unknown; "
Sackett." Broadbent & Co.: Philadelphia, PA.
Augustine Sackett: third assistant engineer 10/3/61, second assistant engineer 8/3/63, resigned 8/24/65; "
Morgan." Whitney: NY.
Joseph Morgan: third assistant engineer 11/16/61, second assistant engineer 8/25/63, resigned 1/5/66; "
Haney" with foreign imprint.
Hugh Haney: acting third assistant engineer 9/28/63, discharged 9/1/65.
Provenance: The Richard B. Cohen Civil War Collection
Condition
Album itself in rough condition with edge wear and missing spine and brass clasp. Interior album pages good with a few lifting at bottom. Body of cartes are generally VG with light edge wear, a few showing heavier wear. Other than the penciled last names on album pages there is no other writing in album itself.