This photographic artifact is a group image of nine Federal field grade officers who are believed to be US Army Paymasters of the Civil War. The oversized, sepia-toned albumen photo image measures 13” wide x 10½” high and is glued to a large 20” wide x 15¾” high pasteboard mat.  Photo image has radial (curved) upper right and left corners while the lower corners are straight.  The albumen and the mat are enclosed in a large wooden frame from the turn of the century that measures 19” high x 23½” wide. Frame exhibits a dark mahogany coloring and shows numerous scratches, dings and chips to the corners.

The attractive Civil War photograph is completely unidentified and likely taken in a studio but the men’s identities are lost to history. The paymaster was personally and totally responsible for the amount he signed for and dispersed to the troops. Adherence to army regulations and wearing of the prescribed uniform was seemingly optional for these men who dressed as they pleased save for army payday when the military uniform was required. Six of the men pictured in this image wear the regulation military double-breasted uniform and rank of Major or Lieutenant Colonel per their shoulder straps but paymasters were more like army accountants and lived more like civilians than soldiers.   Three of the men wear non-regulation type uniforms with rank displayed but one wears a civilian type of dress. Four men are seated while in back, six are standing.

An interesting and original artifact of Civil War history and a great research project besides.  [ra]

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