This tintype shows two Union Company grade officers of the 3rd Kentucky Cavalry. One man is seated while the other stands by his side.

The standing subject has a full beard and mustache and wears a dark single-breasted frock coat with light trousers. The frock coat has shoulder straps of an undetermined rank. At his waist the officer wears a sword belt with a rectangular Model 1851 sword belt plate. On each hand he also wears a pair of gauntlets. This subject is posed with one hand resting on his saber and in the other he holds his forage cap with crossed sabers and a “3” attached to the front.

The seated subject is clean shaven and also wears a dark single-breasted frock coat and dark trousers. At his waist is a sash and sword belt with rectangular Model 1851 sword belt plate. He also wears gauntlets on his hands. This subject is posed with one hand holding his cavalry saber in front of him and with the other he holds his forage cap on his knee. Visible on the cap are crossed sabers but no regimental number.

The image is in very nice condition. Clean and clear and free of scratches. The contrast is just a bit on the dark side. The item comes with a full frame and mat housed in a brass hinged thermo-plastic Union case. The motif of the Union case is “Bountiful Harvest.” The case is in excellent condition with no chips or cracks.

Attached to the velvet lining in the lid of the case is a modern typed label that reads as follows;

LEWIS R. DUNN

WILLIAM DUNN

3RD CAVALRY

OBTAINED FROM DESCENDANTS—

THE VAN NORTE FAMILY

OF ELIZABETHTOWN, KY.

(NEAR LOUISVILLE)

Lewis R. Dunn was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in Company I, 3rd Kentucky Cavalry on October 10, 1861 and was mustered in on December 13th of that same year. The regiment was assigned to the Army of Ohio for most of its service but also spent some time in the Army of the Cumberland and later in the Division of Mississippi. During its service the regiment was engaged in 18 battles and skirmishes with the biggest being the battle of Stones River.

In April of 1862 Dunn was promoted to 1st Lieutenant and was mustered out July 15, 1865 at Lexington, Kentucky at the wars end.

Which of the two subjects is Lewis is not known. The identity of the second subject is also in doubt. According to the records the only William Dunn who was commissioned was a Captain in the 20th Kentucky Infantry. Both subjects here are definitely cavalrymen. There was a William Dunn in the 13th Kentucky Cavalry but he never rose above the rank of Commissary Sergeant.

As it stands it is a very nice image in a rarely encountered Union case.

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