Mathew Brady Studio Union Civil War Camp photograph

Content Description

This collection contains an albumen photograph of a Union wagon camp in Virginia during the Civil War from the Washington D.C. studio of Mathew Brady. The picture measures 5 X 8 inches and is affixed to a 6 X 9 inches studio mount. The picture depicts numerous men standing amid three houses, tents, and a few wagons. One wagon has "U.S. 12 07" stenciled on its side. Among the soldiers and teamsters are five Black men. Some, dressed in simple work clothes, may have served as servants as "contraband of war," while other Black men in military uniform were likely enlisted as soldiers in the regiments of Black troops. A penciled note on the verso reads, "Photograph of camp in Virginia where D.H. Plumb was located for a time in the Civil War." The most likely reference is to Rev. David Henry Plumb, a private in the 4th Massachusetts Cavalry, which served in Virginia in 1864-65. Rev. Plumb mustered into the 4th Massachusetts in January 1864 and served until July 1, 1865. A signature opposite the inscription reads "Helen Thomas," who was potentially a descendant of Plumb's due to the familiar nature of the inscription.

Acquisition Type

Purchase

Provenance

Purchased from McBride Rare Books, 20 October 2023.

Language of Description

English

Script of Description

Latin

Restrictions Apply

No