This is group of three sixth-plate images consists of two daguerreotypes and one tintype that are related to the Putnam and Force families. It appears that the sister of Major George B. Force married a George C. Putnam.

This first image is a dag that shows two men in dark civilian suits. With the image is a small handwritten note in period ink that reads “THE MAN ON THE RIGHT IS CHARLES PUTNAM’S FATHER AND THE OTHER MAN IS SOME GENERAL A FRIEND OF MR. PUTNAM’S FATHER WHO WAS KILLED IN THE CIVIL WAR.” Research reveals that the man seated on the right of this photo is George C. Putnam, father of the Charles mentioned in the note. His friend seated at left is Major George B. Force, not a General as the note indicates. George Force was indeed killed in the Civil War at the battle of Antietam where he served with the 108th New York Infantry. In fact it was George Putnam who brought the Major’s body back home from Maryland. This image is in fair condition. All details are visible but the edge is cloudy and discolored. The image comes with the full frame and mat in a split cloth case.

The second image in the group is of George C. Putnam and his wife Libby who was the sister of Major Force. The image is a dag and dates from the 1850’s judging from Mrs. Putnam’s hair style. Mr. Putnam wears a dark suit with a white shirt and a wide bow-tie while Mrs. Putnam wears a white dress with a dark blouse with a white lace collar. The couple is shown leaning toward each other in a rare public showing of affection. Again, the image is in fair condition with some light scratches and some spots of discoloration. Image comes in a full case and mat and just the lid of the cloth case. With the photo is a period note written in ink that reads “THIS LIBBY FORCE PUTNAM AND WHO MARRIED CHARLES PUTNAM WHO WAS THE FATHER OF CHARLES W. PUTNAM (??) AND OF DAISY PUTNAM.”

The third and last image in the group is a family portrait showing Mr. and Mrs. Putnam with their two children. This image is a tintype and comes in a full frame and mat in half case with a split bottom. A note with this image reads “CHARLES W. PUTNAM ON HIS FATHERS LAP- THEN FATHER PUTNAM, CAROLYN PUTNAM THEN LIBBY PUTNAM….. DAISY F. PUTNAM.” The image is very clean and clear with some very light tinting.

George B. Force was born in New Jersey in 1831. When still a child his parents relocated to Rochester, New York. Upon reaching adulthood George took an interest in things military and became a member of the Old Light Guard also known as the 54th New York State National Guard. After six years in this organization George had held every position from Private to Captain. In 1858 went to Michigan where he opened a business. In early 1862 he raised a Company of the 13th Michigan and with them participated in the siege of Corinth. After this he became ill and was discharged.

After his recovery Force returned to New York where the 108th New York was being raised. Force was appointed Major of the regiment and also served as acting Lieutenant Colonel. The regiment was in service less than a month when it went into action at Antietam. As part of the 2nd Corps the regiment assaulted the famous “Bloody Lane.”

An on-line biography of the Major reads:

“Major Force was quoted by several soldiers as giving a rallying cry of "Boys, you will follow your Major, won't you?" before rising to face the enemy. He died almost immediately. He was taken from the battlefield to a safe house where 108th surgeon William S. Ely attempted to treat him, but found that ‘it was too late. The lifeless countenance, the glazed eye, announced that life was extinct.’ In fact it is likely that he died when he was shot and had been dead for some time before Dr. Ely received his body. His body was brought back to his hometown by George C. Putnam on the evening of October 3rd 1862. His death was a huge blow to the 108th, which had not had any formal military training by the time they were engaged; Major Force had provided all of what little training they had received at camp, and was the only field officer in the 108th with previous military experience.”

With the images are copies of a signed CDV of Major Force confirming the ID of the dag in the group. Also included are copies two pages from the 108th New York unit history with Major Force’ biography.

This is a nice small family archive from an Antietam hero. The knowledge that George Putnam retrieved Major Force’s body from the field at Antietam makes the picture of them together unique and especially poignant.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THIS ITEM, AS WITH ALL OTHER ITEMS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB SITE,

MAY BE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR LAYAWAY PROGRAM.

FOR OUR POLICIES AND TERMS,

CLICK ON ‘CONTACT US’ AT THE TOP OF ANY PAGE ON THE SITE,

THEN ON ‘LAYAWAY POLICY’.

THANK YOU!