The CDV’s in this group relate to Colonel Henry Sturgis Russell who served in the 2^nd Massachusetts Infantry, 2^nd Massachusetts Cavalry and 5^th Massachusetts Cavalry.

The first image in the group is a CDV of Colonel Russell standing outside by a window of a building holding his son. Russell wears a forage cap with crossed saber insignia, a dark sack coat with cut out Colonel’s eagles on the shoulders and light trousers. The image is clear with good contrast. The reverse has a photographer’s imprint for L. V. NEWELL’S, PT. LOOKOUT, MD. An old ink inscription at the top of the reverse reads “COL. RUSSELL 5^TH MASS. CAVALRY WITH SON JAMES SAVAGE RUSSELL. IN CAMP.”

With the image of the Colonel and his son is another CDV of Colonel Russell’s wife. The image is by Brady and shows Mrs. Russell seated wearing a light colored blouse with a tight plaid overcoat. Image is clear and clean. Reverse has Brady’s mark while the top edge has a period ink inscription that reads “APRIL 3^rd 1865” and another one that matches the handwriting on the first image that reads “MRS. COL. RUSSELL.”

Henry Sturgis Russell was born in Dorchester, Massachusetts on June 21, 1838. He was a first cousin and close friend to Colonel Robert Gould Shaw of 54^th Massachusetts fame. On May 25, 1861 Russell was commissioned a 1^st Lieutenant in Company G, 2^nd Massachusetts Infantry. At the time of his commissioning he was living in West Roxbury.

Lieutenant Russell went with his regiment to Harpers Ferry where they performed guard duty for a time. On January 6, 1862 Russell received a promotion to Captain. He led his Company at Kernstown, Woodstock, Winchester and Cedar Mountain. At Cedar Mountain Russell was captured because he stayed behind to tend the mortal wounds of his friend Major James Savage. Russell was held in Libby until his exchange on November 15, 1862.

On March 19, 1863 he was commissioned Lieutenant Colonel of the 2^nd Massachusetts Cavalry. The 2^nd saw some action in Virginia at Ashby’s Gap, Snicker’s Gap, Warrenton and Aldie. Russell was offered the Lieutenant Colonelcy of the 5^th Massachusetts Colored Cavalry. After some hesitation due to his attachment to the 2^nd Cavalry Russell decided to take the position. At the time Russell was heard to remark that “Bob would have liked to have me do it.” The reference being to his late cousin Colonel Robert G. Shaw who had been killed at the head of his regiment at Fort Wagner. Within a month of joining his regiment Russell was promoted to Colonel.

In May of 1864 he married Mary Hathaway Forbes whose photo is present with this group. Later, the couple gave birth to a son named James Savage Russell. The child was named after the man Colonel Russell was captured trying to save at Cedar Mountain. This is the child being held by Russell in the CDV offered here.

While leading the 5^th Massachusetts Colored Cavalry Russell was engaged at Baylor’s Farm on June 15, 1864 where he was wounded severely. The wound eventually led to his resignation on February 14, 1865. On March 13, 1865 he was promoted to Brigadier General by brevet.

This is a wonderful pair of images relating to one of the more prominent Massachusetts families and to a soldier who was loyal to his friends and their memory.

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