Neat photo of a Union regiment

[Little Powell]

I found this photo to be pretty darn interesting. I've never seen a photo that shows a full regiment, just portions of them in line or on parade. I believe this is the column by divisions formation.

1861
View of 96th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment during drill at Camp Northumberland, with the camp in the background.

[BOSTON]

Noticed all the tree stumps on the lower left.

[Kerflumoxed]

This is a great photo! Nice find!

As I look at the photo, it appears to me to be a "close column" of companies ... at least as I count the number of companies in column (I count what I believe to be 10 separate companies.) Also, although it is difficult, the number of men in the front rank would appear to proximate 50, perhaps less, which is more in keeping with a company front rather then a division. Also, count the number of "file closers" (with the "right guide") at the right and slightly to the rear of each company.

Even more spectacular is the order of the camp, itself. I presume this is an early war photo because of the number of A-Frame tents in use, as well as the number of men in the ranks. As one looks at the photo, it is possible to make out each company street. I suspect that the regiment was formed at the bottom of the photo and were formed into close column in inverted order with the left in front based upon the officer's tents at the top of the photo. At first I wondered if the photo was reversed, but upon close examination, the men are at "Right Shoulder - SHIFT!" so it is printed properly.

Also of great interest is the regimental band lined up in front of the regiment. Note the ambulance in the lower left of the photo. Also, note the supply wagon with a "four-hitch" span of mules and the driver mounted on the left "wheel" horse.

If you look at the two officers at the bottom-center of the photo, note the light colored breast collars on the horses. Would be interested in knowing the color of these collars. Often times these were the color of the "arm of service" which in this case MAY be light blue. Have seen red and yellow breast collars but not blue...but, who knows.

WOW! What a great photo. Thanks for sharing LP!

J

[Ephrum]

Great photo Little Powell!

Thanks for sharing it with us! I could look at ACW photos' like that all day long!


And thank you Kerflumoxed, for pointing out the details! It gave me points to look for when I zoomed in on it.

[Hancock the Superb]

Quite a small regiment to be in the army in 1861. 10 companies and maybe 60 men per company, if not less. Not that I can count individual rifles.

[Chamberlain]

Nice photo find LP!!

Chamberlain

[BOSTON]

BOSTON wrote:

Noticed all the tree stumps on the lower left.

All kidding aside, the picture reminded me I have to clear a swath of trees out at one of my Brother's property. Guess everybody sees what they want to see in a picture that says a lot.

BOSTON

[Little Powell]

Glad you all enjoyed. And thanks Kerflumoxed for that info, very interesting.

This is one of my new favorite Civil War photo's..

BTW - Looks like we might have killed the picture.. It's not showing up for me.. :laugh:

Nevermind, it's back.

[Kerflumoxed]

Hancock the Superb wrote:

Quite a small regiment to be in the army in 1861. 10 companies and maybe 60 men per company, if not less. Not that I can count individual rifles.

I went to the original site and also tried to count the muskets. I gave up after the 10th time with a magnifying glass! So I went back to the original site on the 96th and counted the roster. http://www.pacivilwar.com/regiment/96th.html The roster or company A shows 82 privates, 11 Sgts., 13 Cpls. and 2 Musicians. The manual allows for 5 sgts., which leads me to believe that this roster is composed of all men who served in Company A during the war. Further, they list 3 Captains when only one was authorized at any given time.

As to the total size, one infantry manual of the period states: "In the organization of infantry, the smallest number complete in itself, is the company, which varies in number from 50 to 100." I think that General Hancock is correct when he estimates about 60 per company, perhaps not counting the file closers which was an acceptable strength. According to the unit history, upon the completion of their 3 year service: "The Regiment came back with one hundred and twenty men. Three years before it left Pottsville a thousand strong. The bullet and disease had done their work, and many who left here in full health and vigor, fill graves in Virginia and on our hills." The unit history is at: http://www.pacivilwar.com/cwpa96history.html According to the history, they "established a camp at Lawton's Hill, in August, 1861, and were mustered into US service on 23 Sept. 1861. On 8 November 1816 they entrained for Washington City and went into camp at Kendall Green. This begs the question: Where exactly was Camp Northumberland and what is the date of this photograph?

Further research reveals that Company F member: "Patrick KENNEDY died February 7, 1862, at Camp Northumberland." http://www.pacivilwar.com/newspapers/mi ... l1865.html During that same time, the unit history notes: "It was assigned to Slocum's Brigade of Franklin's Division, and on the 27th of December went into permanent winter-quarters on the Loudon and Hampshire Railroad, near its crossing of Four Mile Run. It remained engaged in drill and occasional picket duty until the 10th of March 1862, when it joined in the abortive movement upon Manassas, but soon returned to camp." As you look at the trees in the background, they appear to my old eyes to be bare of foliage, certainly in keeping with the time they were in the field in VA.

So, where was Camp Northumberland? Is the photo mislabled? What is the date the photo was taken?

One observation I omitted in my earlier notes on the photo are the colors (I believe) located in the middle of the 5th company. This is the correct placement according to the manuals of the time.

Would appreciate any additional information one could provide.

Thanks

J

[Kerflumoxed]

An addendum to my last post from the diary of Henry Kaiser: "Thursday, February 27, 1862. Yesterday the Regiment was formed and a Photographer took a picture of the Regiment and camp . . ."

And this: From the diary of Erasmus Reed, Co. B, 96th Pennsylvania Infantry:
"February 26th, 1862. Camp Northumberland . . . There is nothing particularly new going on here, except that we have had the photograph of the Regiment taken today, and also that we received marching orders . . ."

Need to find the rest of the quote, but wonder if this is the photo referred to as Camp Northumberland. If this is the photo, then it dates from the end of February, 1862, rather than fall 1861 which would indicate they already had seen some type of service with the attendant loss of life that comes with active campaigning. This, perhaps, may explain the "undersized" companies that General Hancock so wisely observed.

J