Photo Record
Images
Metadata
Object |
Ambrotype |
Date |
1861 |
Print size (inches) |
5.5 x 4.25 |
Location |
Vermont, Wilmington |
Description |
Ambrotype (fully cased, half plate size) of Company A, 4th Vermont Volunteers, starting south. John E. Pratt, Captain. Marched out of Bennington on September 13, 1861. On their way to Brattleboro, they stopped at Wilmington and stood for this ambrotype photograph. Photo shows group of men in uniform standing at attention with hands clasped before them. They are on the street in front of a white building with a porch. On the porch are men and women in civilian clothes. Flag with an unusual pattern of stars on the right side of the group. More men on the opposite side of the street. Photo is slightly out of focus toward the edges. In a wooden case with embossed black leather on outside. Has a scroll and grapes pattern on the case. Inside, left side has faded red velvet with a pressed scrolls and flower pattern. The right side of the case has the photo in a brass frame and mat. Frame has flower and scroll pattern. Brass oval shaped mat around the picture. Two clasps on right. |
Information |
In July 1861, Congress authorized President Abraham Lincoln to call for 500,000 men to serve in the Civil War. Men and boys from Vermont answered that call in record numbers, eventually sending more men per capita to fight in the war than any other state in the Union. Company A, of the 4th Vermont Volunteers marched out of Bennington September 13, 1861, recruited and commanded by Bennington native Captain John E. Pratt. On their way to Brattleboro, they stopped in Wilmington and stood for this ambrotype An ambrotype is a kind photograph produced on glass that has been coated with a light sensitive emulsion. Like earlier daguerreotypes, the glass image was displayed in a small covered wood case. Because of the relative bulk and fragility of the medium, ambrotypes from the Civil War are not nearly as common as tintypes (produced on a thin sheet of metal) or albumen paper prints adhered to cardstock. The 4th Vermont Volunteers were mustered in September 20 in Brattleboro and started for Washington the next day. They soon joined other Vermont troops on the front lines and were involved in many of the major battles of the Civil War including Antietam, Gettysburg, Wilderness and Spotsylvania. Major Pratt was captured during the Battle of Weldon Railroad June 23, 1864 along with almost 140 of his men. Pratt spent nine months in Libby and Andersonville prisons before being released in March, 1865. He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel later that month and rejoined the regiment until mustered out July 13, 1865. The report of Adjutant General L. A. Grant stated, "Col. Pratt is a cool, intrepid officer, who's dashing bravery has often been put to the test and never found wanting." |
Related People |
Pratt, John Edward |
Subjects |
United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865. |
Credit line |
Gift of Mrs. Luman S. Norton |
Catalog Number |
A92 |