This CDV image is of Bethuel J. Goff of Company C, 83rd Pennsylvania Infantry. The Lieutenant is posed with one hand resting on top of a low column. He wears a dark frock coat with 2nd Lieutenant’s shoulder boards.

The image is in wonderful condition. It is clean and has great contrast. The mount corners are lightly trimmed and the bottom edge is singed in period ink “B. J. GOFF 83 Pa VOLS.”

The reverse has some staining and no photographer’s mark. There is another period ink inscription in another hand that reads “J.B. GOFF / 83 Pa VOLS.” The reversal of Lt. Goff’s initials is evidence that the inscription on the reverse was done by someone other than him.

Bethuel J. Goff was born June 29, 1834 in Pennsylvania. A succinct on-line biography of him reads:

“1854-1858 SERVED IN NAVY ABOARD USS MICHIGAN. 1861 2ND LIEUT. IN COMPANY C, 83RD PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. PARTICIPATED IN ENGAGEMENTS AT CENTRVILLE, HAMPTON CROSS ROADS, BIG BETHEL, YORKTOWN AND GAINE’S MILLS, WHERE HE WAS WOUNDED. SERVED AS ASSISTANT PROVOST MARSHALL WITH RANK OF CAPTAIN FOR THREE MONTHS IN BALTIMORE. DISCHARGED AT BALTIMORE, 10-11 1862. ONE OF ORGANIZERS OF G.A.R. CHAPTER IN FREMONT, INDIANA.”

Further research finds the Goff was a Corporal in the Marine Corps when he was in the Navy before the Civil War and that later in life he ran a grocery store.

Bethuel Goff died on November 7, 1917 in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He is buried in Lakeside Cemetery, Fremont, Indiana.

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