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LTC Lewis Downing CSA and USA troops

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    Posted 7 years ago

    scottvez
    (977 items)

    This cdv falls into the RARE category. This is the only image that I have seen with a Cherokee inscription.

    When first purchased I thought that there was some sort of code on the back (photo #2) and I spent a lot of time trying to decipher it. Finally it dawned on me that rather than code, it could be a language.

    The subjects dark features led me to look at the Cherokee syllabary and many of the symbols seemed to match.

    Questions about translation that I sent to the Smithsonian were quickly answered and they provided sources for translation.

    While I was waiting on the translation, online searches to identify the subject led me to photos of Lewis Downing. While I am not a proponent of "looks like" identification, the likeness was striking.

    The translation quickly ended any doubt:

    "Lewis Downing

    John Manning

    Good man

    From over the sea (or) from across the creek

    A great friend

    I will always

    Remember him

    Here among the chiefs

    June 14 1863"

    Research online shows that Downing initially served as a Chaplain in the 1st Cherokee Cavalry (CSA) and later as a LTC in the Indian Home Guards (USA).

    I do not know who John Manning is or the specifics on the presentation. The Philadelphia backmark would suggest it was done as part of a delegation visit to the East. I know that Downing was part of an 1863 Cherokee delegation visit to Washington, D.C.

    Interestingly, Downing was named Chief of the Cherokee post war and was instrumental in reuniting the Confederate/ Union factions.

    Use of images without permission is prohibited.

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    Comments

    1. vetraio50 vetraio50, 7 years ago
      MONSTER !!!

      WOW !!!
    2. scottvez scottvez, 7 years ago
      Thanks much vetraio-- your comments are greatly appreciated.

      scott
    3. scottvez scottvez, 7 years ago
      Thanks buss and vo.

      scott
    4. SpiritBear, 7 years ago
      How very awesome.
    5. Roycroftbooksfromme1, 7 years ago
      Love your research you put it to this...and the end of your findings
    6. scottvez scottvez, 7 years ago
      Thanks spiritbear and roy-- appreciate you looking and commenting.

      scott
    7. scottvez scottvez, 7 years ago
      Thanks much gatekeeper.

      scott
    8. tintyper, 7 years ago
      Whoa, never saw any inscription like this!
    9. Daddy_Nobucks Daddy_Nobucks, 7 years ago
      Very Cool!
    10. Signaholic Signaholic, 7 years ago
      That's some pretty in-depth research right there, Scott! Good for you and what a great piece of CSA history, not to mention the whole Native American history included! A+++ FIND
      Perry
    11. scottvez scottvez, 7 years ago
      Thanks much perry! I was lucky enough to figure out the "code" and reattach the history of the subject to the image.

      scott
    12. AmberRose AmberRose, 7 years ago
      Oh wow! Super nice!
    13. scottvez scottvez, 7 years ago
      Thanks amber-- appreciate you looking.

      scott
    14. scottvez scottvez, 7 years ago
      Thanks vo and rose.

      scott
    15. scottvez scottvez, 7 years ago
      Thanks much rade!

      scott
    16. scottvez scottvez, 7 years ago
      Thanks brunswick and farm.

      scott

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