Late 1850’s early 1860’s print showing an officer and 1^st sergeant of The Salem Mechanic Light Infantry. The 1^st sergeant wears a Pattern 1851 shako with pompom, 1851 hat eagle, regimental number and company letter within a wreath. He also wears a dark single-breasted frock coat with light colored cuffs and brush epaulettes, dark trousers with light NCO leg stripe, white cross belts with rectangular plate for his cartridge box and bayonet and a dark waist belt with two-piece circular plate. He rests his right hand on the muzzle of a converted Model 1816 musket with fixed bayonet.

The officer is dressed in a shako similar to the 1^st sergeant’s but with an 1840’s infantry hunting horn in place of the Company letter. He wears a dark single-breasted frock coat with brush epaulettes and matching trousers with light leg stripe. At his waist is his sash and black sword belt with Pattern 1851 rectangular plate. In his left arm he holds a Pattern 1850 Foot Officers sword.

In the background are a wall tent with several stacks of arms in front and a Sibley tent with US flag floating from the top. In the far background is a river with sailing ships.

This exact print was used to decorate to cover of a piece of sheet music titled “CAPTAIN ADAMS QUICK STEP” which was dedicated to the officers and men of “THE MECHANIC INFANTRY.” A digital copy of the sheet music cover comes with the pint.

The print is in very nice condition with only light surface dirt around the edges.

The reverse of the print has some collector information in pencil.

The Salem Mechanic Light Infantry was organized in 1805. The company did a short bit of service in Maryland at the start of the Civil War and many of its members went on to serve in numerous Massachusetts Volunteer regiments. The Company was disbanded in 1890.  [AD]