This CDV is an image of Thomas W. Quirk of the 9th New York State Militia (also known as the 83rd New York Volunteer Infantry).

Quirk is pictured as a Captain. He wears a dark frock coat with shoulder straps and light trousers. At his waist is his sash, sword belt with rectangular plate and sword.  He is posed slightly turned to his right. His left hand rests on the hilt of his Model 1850 Foot Officer’s sword while the right hand is by his side holding a kepi.

The image is clear and mostly clean with only light surface dirt and good contrast. There is a light shadow in the upper left corner that looks like a stain but it is most likely just a shadow on the negative as it does not appear on the back of the mount.

The reverse has a collector ID in pencil as well as a photographer’s imprint for HOPPER…NY.

With the item, to confirm the ID, is a good quality Xerox of a page from an old album with a tag that reads “OFFICERS OF THE NINTH REGIMENT WHO DIED WHILE IN US SERVICE, DURING THE WAR OF THE REBELLION 1861-1864.” Captain Quirk is pictured on this page along with three other officers. Also on this Xeroxed page are copies of two other CDVs of Captain Quirk. One is identical to this view and the other was taken at the same time but he is posed seated with his cap on the table next to him. The reverse of both are visible on the back side of the Xerox.

Thomas W. Quirk was born in 1837. On May 27, 1861 at the age of 24 he enlisted as a Private in Company C, 83rd New York Infantry, also known as the 9th New York State Militia. The regiment was sent to the Harper’s Ferry area and was eventually stationed at Warrenton, Virginia. On July 22, 1862 Quirk received a commission to 2nd Lieutenant and was transferred to Company A.  The following month the regiment was lightly engaged at Cedar Mountain and saw its first heavy action as part of Pope’s Army of Virginia at 2nd Bull Run where it suffered 42 casualties.

After 2nd Bull Run the regiment was attached to the 1st Corps of the Army of the Potomac with whom it saw action at South Mountain, Antietam and Fredericksburg. In the last named battle Lieutenant Quirk suffered a wound that necessitated a stay in the hospital for several months. He returned to the regiment on March 27, 1863. In his absence he was promoted to Captain of Company A on the last day of December.

In the spring of 1863 the 83rd was lightly engaged at Chancellorsville but the following July they found themselves in the midst of the fighting on Oak Ridge at Gettysburg. During the late morning of July 1, 1863 Confederates of Brigadier General Alfred Iverson’s brigade launched an ill-fated assault against the Union positions on Oak Ridge. Though the Confederates were repulsed with great loss the 83rd New York took several casualties. Among those killed was Captain Thomas W. Quirk.

The Captain’s body was returned to New York where he was buried in Albany Rural Cemetery, Menands, New York.

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