Posted 8 years ago
scottvez
(977 items)
Images of Civil War soldiers from elite units are highly desirable and pursued by collectors.
This is a Sixth plate tintype that shows a soldier wearing the distinctive uniform of the 9th NY Infantry-- better known as Hawkins' Zouaves.
The image was expertly tinted and painted when it was made 150+ years ago.
The unit served from May 61- May 63. Probably best known for its participation at the Battle of Antietam where the Regiment suffered 44 KIA and 66 WIA in the Battle.
I do not know any particulars on the subject of this tintype-- he is an uknown member of the regiment.
Thanks vetraio and spirit.
scott
Thanks bratjdd-- agree, the quality of this one is so superior to what is normally encountered. The painting/ tinting is superb.
scott
Thanks cultcha and official!
scott
Thanks brunswick and david.
scott
Thanks much petey!
scott
Thanks rade!
scott
Thanks for looking roy!
scott
Thanks for looking buss and chris!
scott
Thanks poire and tom!
scott
Green uniforms remind of a women a fella told me about a town or two over, that she was sitting on some green uniforms from the union in a trunk ...from what I read years ago about them was they were snipers or there best shooters , that ran around harassing troops in the south.....using hit and run gorilla tactics...
Yep some sharpshooter regiments (Berdan's) wore green uniforms for initial issue.
Colors may be a little off here/ your computer-- this uniform is blue with red trim.
I'd sure like to talk with woman with the sharpshooter trunk!!
scott
Thanks frank and brunswick!
scott
Was this a "dress uniform" as compared to an active combat uniform?
This uniform was worn into battle for the early fights-- there are some paintings of the fight at Antietam that show the soldiers wearing this uniform.
Since the uniform was not in the supply system, as the uniform aged and was worn out soldiers were outfitted with traditional uniforms.
scott
Here is a link that shows paintings of Zouave units in battle. About a handful of images down is a painting of the 9th NY at Antietam:
http://civilwartalk.com/threads/keith-rocco-artwork.97756/
scott
That is cool you have the photo of the uniform in great condition before the troops were relegated to the regular uniforms. I was thinking these may not have been as protective as the regular issue, especially the unprotected chest area between the vest etc.
Most issue uniforms were thin wool with cotton lining-- very uncomfortable during the summer months.
As the war progressed, some soldiers chose to wear simple cotton shirts rather than a uniform jacket.
scott
and those were first to hit the ground, no doubt. Were they not issued at least chest protection? Even simply leather to deflect a would be killer bullet? Dodging bullets in a cotton shirt seems more than foolish. I am shaking my head in amazement here.
I have Mathew' Brady's book somewhere. I'll take a look and see if there are a lot of dead in just shirts, without jackets, unprotected.There must be.
That is a modern innovation. There was limited use "body armor" going back ages, but it wasn't until modern times that EVERY soldier wore protection.
We usually wore flak vests (won't stop a bullet/ only shrapnel) in Desert Storm. During the initial part of both Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom there were not enough ceramic plates to go around, so many folks didn't wear the armor plates.
Additionally, weight vs. mobility has always been a factor. It wasn't until modern times that we could make protective plates that are light enough (some would still disagree) to not hamper movement.
scott
I'm thinking---Big pockets sewed inside jackets might be stuffed with flattened tin cups.
Necessity was the mother of invention and they must have used unique ways to protect themselves in battle. To each his own. Troops had to be inventive to give themselves every chance to live, don't you think? Right about mobility, I get it--but running out in a cotton shirt just seems suicidal to me.
Most Civil War battle consisted of large mass formations, shoulder to shoulder, battling in open terrain.
Tactics hadn't changed to reflect the effectiveness of RIFLED weapons and the minie ball, although as the war progressed, you will find more of the stalemate trench warfare that is usually identified with WW1.
I would suspect that there are instances of soldiers trying to protect themselves with additional "armor" but it really wasn't that widespread.
Some of what you are mentioning is just a 21st century eye looking at 19th century warfare.
scott
The Civil War photos of Matthew Brady are heart wrenching seeing all the dead and knowing some could be brothers... It is hard to think of American fighting American
The cause was just, and war is always horrendous, whenever, wherever.
The tinted uniform is super!!! Killer image!
Thanks much tintyper-- appreciate you looking and commenting!
scott
Thanks for looking beyemvey!
scott