This pair of sixth plate tintypes are attributed to be of Sergeant Luther Calvin Stevens of Company K, 15^th New Hampshire Infantry but the old tag once accompanying the images has been lost by the former owner.

The first image is a three-quarter length standing view of Stevens holding his forage cap. He wears a dark frock coat with Sergeant’s chevrons and clearly visible at his waist is his belt with oval “US” plate. He is posed holding his forage cap in his hand with the disc toward the camera to make it easier to see the insignia on the cap. The image is clear enough to see the Company letter “K” and Infantry hunting horn with regimental number “15” at center with the letters “N H V” below it. Image has good contrast but does have surface crazing over three-quarters of its surface, however, this does not detract from the details of the image. Plate is housed in a full split leatherette case with decorative brass frame and mat.

The second image is also a three-quarter length standing view of Stevens leaning against the base of a column. He wears the same uniform as described above. Resting against the column next to his arm is his forage cap with the same insignia as already mentioned. Image is clear with contrast that is a bit dark. Image comes in a split full leatherette case with decorative brass frame and mat.

With each image is a typed label describing the images. One of the typed labels mentions an old handwritten paper tag that read “GREAT GRANDFATHER LUTHER CALVIN STEVENS GRANDMA JACK’S FATHER.” But that tag has now been lost and is not present with the images. However we do not doubt the ID of the images.

Luther C. Stevens was born in Derry, New Hampshire on October 9, 1830. He enlisted for nine months as a Sergeant in Company K, 15^th New Hampshire Infantry on August 30, 1862 and was mustered in October 16^th that same year. He served with his regiment at Port Hudson where he became sick in May and though on duty, was still not well when mustered out on August 13, 1863.

Stevens next enlisted as a Private in Company L, 1^st New Hampshire Heavy Artillery on September 29, 1864. At the time the regiment was serving in the defenses of Washington, D.C. Stevens was appointed an artificer on April 25, 1865 and mustered out on June 15, 1865.

After his discharge Stevens returned to New Hampshire where he married, raised a family and lived out the remainder of his life. He died in Derry on May 25, 1896 and is buried in West Hampstead Cemetery, Hampstead, New Hampshire.

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