Military Post Photographers

[Lawtonka]

I have this original CDV of a Cavalryman. I think he represents the average soldier of his time. The CDV was taken by W.S. Soule at Fort Sill, Indian Territory. Soule was photographer there from 1869-1874. Sure wish I knew who he was.

I might be able to narrow it down from the Post Returns for that period. If anyone knows what Cav regiments were there during this peirod, other than the 10th, I would appreciate any input.

Thanks

[markland]

Tim, just doing a quick scan of deaths at Ft. Sill during those years, I did not see any cavalry until the 4th Cav. came in during 1874. However, Camp Supply had the 6th Cav. around up to what looks like 1872-1873. Also, the 19th Kansas was present at Camp Supply in early 1871. It is not inconceivable that a trooper of either of those two regiments were present at Ft. Sill whether on detached service or as an escort.

I am going over to Leavenworth tomorrow so PM me if you want me to look at the Ft. Sill post returns for the regiments assigned and visiting.

Billy

[stevewilk]

The 4th was operating in northern Texas during this period. Ft. Sill is not far from the TX border. Another possibility is he's an officer of the 10th Cavalry; photographed in "field attire". His forage cap has no insignia so there is no way to assess any regimental affiliation. Though he appears, by the boots, to be cavalry, we cannot even be certain about that. The 6th Infantry garrisoned Ft. Sill along with the 10th Cav during its early days. This man may be an infantry soldier wearing cavalry boots. The binoculars could be a photographer's prop.

[Lawtonka]

Another one of my images. I like this one. The photographers mark is "Gilbert..... Mandan, North Dakota. This tells me that the print was made sometime after on November 2, 1889, the date North Dakota became a state. Fort Lincoln and McKeen were closed down by 1891. Just maybe, this soldier was one of the last of the active garrisons from there?


In Biographies of Wester Photographers by Carl Mautz, he only list on photographer in Mandan. He was part of Gilbert and Miller. They made stereographs there in 1873. It is my best guess that this could be the same Gilbert who eventually went on his own.


If I am correct, his frock coat is 1872 pattern, he is holding an 1881 dress helmet, and his waist belt plate is 1872 pattern.

The piping on his coat, the epulets, and cuffs are very light in the picture, nearly as bright as his white gloves, but I do not believe it to be yellow. Light blue indicates Infantry, and the frock coat length leads me to believe he is Infantry.

Any other observations or comments welcome. If I am wrong, I would like to be corrected.

Thanks

Tim

[stevewilk]

Lawtonka, he is indeed infantry. In 1881 the spiked helmet replaced the shako with pompom for foot soldiers. Which must have been to the delight of the infantry as I've always thought the pom poms rather effeminate. In 1884 the trim/branch facings for infantry dress coats were changed to white from sky blue. I cannot find the reg but this may have been the same time that trouser stripes and chevrons became white as well. The coat I believe is from late 1880s when a collar of branch color was authorized.

[BrokenSword]

Stanley Morrow was one of the earliest photographers of the Little Bighorn Battlefield, and took some of the most famous pictures of the same. Of course, artists 'must suffer,' and Stan had his problems while suffering to practice his art/craft.