This group consists of photographs, ID badge, letters and miscellaneous paper items belonging to Quartermaster Sergeant Mark A. Randall of the 5^th New York Heavy Artillery.

The first item in the group is a very nice full standing CDV of Randall in uniform. He is posed with one arm resting on his hip and the other on the back of a chair. He wears a dark Artillery shell-jacket with Corporal chevrons and shoulder scales along with matching dark trousers. Image is clear with great contrast. Reverse has photographers imprint for R. W. ADDIS… WASHINGTON D. C.

A second CDV in the group shows Randall later in his enlistment. It is a hand-tinted seated view of Randall wearing a dark frock coat with red tinted Quartermaster Sergeant chevrons and piping, a dark military vest and sky-blue tinted trousers with a wide red NCO leg stripe. Again, the image is clear with great contrast. Reverse has photographers imprint of B. SHUNK… SANDY HOOK, MD. Reverse is also inscribed in pencil “M. A. RANDALL, CO.M, 5^TH N.Y. ARTILLERY, SANDY HOOK, MD.”

The third CDV in the group is a full standing view of Randall’s soon to be wife, Ellen. She is shown in a dark dress with a light printed design. She is posed with one arm resting on a pillar. The lower left hand corner of the image appears to have been torn off but the area affected barely touches the edge of her skirt. Image is clear with good contrast and light surface dirt. There is no photographers imprint on the back only light period pencil inscriptions with the name “ELLEN…” and some other markings too light to read. There is also a collector’s inscription that reads “ELLEN RANDALL.”

Also in the group are two hard images in thermoplastic Union cases. The first is a ninth plate image of Randall in uniform. This is a tintype that is a little on the dark side but still clearly visible. It is a bust view showing Randall in a white shirt and sack coat. The brass hinged case is in very good condition and has a geometric design on the outside. The second hard image in this group is a sixth plate tintype of Randall seated wearing a dark sack-coat and light trousers. Around his waist is a sword belt with rectangular plate and a Model 1840 Artillery saber. The hilt of the sword, the Corporal chevrons on the jacket as well as the buttons and the leg stripe on the trousers are all tinted gold. Again, the image is somewhat dark but all the details are visible. Image is in a full frame and mat. The brass hinged case is in good condition with a geometric design on the outside.

In addition to the photos mentioned above is another paper image of a camp. The image meas. approx. 4.25 x 3.00 inches. The image shows a camp set by a dirt road. It is no doubt a view of the 5^th New York Heavy Artillery camp near Washington, D.C. Visible are a number of tents, both large and small, as well as horses. Image is clear with good contrast. The view was taken from some distance away so it is difficult to pick out more details. Boldly written in period ink on the back is “MARK A. RANDALL, CO.M 3^RD BATT. 5^TH N.Y. ARTY-MARK A. RANDALL WASHINGTON, D.C.”

The next item in the group is a silver 5-pointed star with a “T” bar pin on the back. The face is chased around the edges with engraving at center that reads “MARK A. RANDALL CO.M 5^TH N.Y.V.A. WAR OF 1861.” The badge meas. approx. 1.50 x 1.50 inches. The pin on the back is slightly bent as is the catch otherwise the item is in beautiful untouched condition.

With the group are also four letters written to Ellen by Randall. In one letter he talks about the first CDV described in this group, as well as the badge, which he offers to send her if she wants. He also writes of his interest in her. In other letters he mentions the battle of Gettysburg in passing and in another written on July4th 1863 he wonders what has happened to his brother who he knows has been in the fight at Gettysburg.

Also in the group are three unused patriotic envelopes, a pocket testament from 1857 bearing Randall’s name and two post-war tintypes of Mr. & Mrs. Randall circa 1870’s. The pocket testament shows some wear to both the inside and outside with missing sections in both the front and back. Randall may have carried this during the war but there is no evidence of that being the case. Last of all is the small white box that stored Randall’s ID badge over the years.

Mark A. Randall was born in Wilna, New York and was 19 years old when he enlisted. The record says he was 5 feet 4 inches tall, with blue eyes, brown hair and a light complexion. He was by occupation a Farmer. Randall enlisted as a Private in Company D, 6^th Battalion New York Heavy Artillery on August 21, 1862. On December 31, 1862 his Company became Company M, of the 5^th New York Heavy Artillery. Randall was promoted to Corporal on November 13, 1863 and Quartermaster Sergeant on March 26, 1864. He was discharged at Harpers Ferry on June 26, 1865. During its service the 5^th New York was divided up by Company. Company M was mostly in the forts around Washington and in 1864 moved to Frederick, MD.

Not much is known about Mr. Randall after the war. He continued to live in New York with his wife Ellen but as he grew older he could not hold a steady job due to his health problems which started during the war. He applied for a pension after much encouragement. He died on July 1, 1906. Internet research shows that Ellen Randall applied for a Widow’s Pension sometime in 1906. She lived until 1934.

This is a wonderful group of personal items with a charming touch in the letters.

Full military and pension records come with the grouping.