Image shows Henry Clay Meinell as a 1^st Lieutenant wearing a dark frock coat with clearly discernible shoulder straps.

The image is clear with good contrast but suffers from moderate surface dirt.

Reverse has some collector information in pencil and a photographer’s back mark for VANCE’S GALLERY… SAN FRANCISCO, CAL. Top of reverse has what looks to be a period pencil inscription that reads “LIEUT. MEINELL TO DR. RIDGEWAY.”

Henry C. Meinell was born in New York about 1841. He is recorded as being 20 years old when he enlisted as a Private in Company K, 5^th New York Infantry on June 28, 1861.

On October 24, 1861 Meinell was discharged to accept a commission to 2^nd Lieutenant in Battery C, 3^rd United States Light Artillery and was raised to 1^st Lieutenant a week later. He was promoted to Captain by brevet for gallant and meritorious service at Fredericksburg on December 13, 1862.

An excerpt from a Battery C history says:

“In June, 1863, the Battery was commanded by First Lieutenant William Duncan Fuller, an 1861 graduate from West Point Military Academy.   It was comprised of six 3 inch rifled cannon.   The battery was divided into three sections of 2 guns each.   The right section, or lead section, was commanded by First Lieutenant Henry C. Meinell.  The left, or rear section, was commanded by First Lieutenant James Rigney Kelly.   Second Lieutenant James Madison Lancaster of Kentucky, another West Point Graduate, was chief of the center section.

Commander Fuller's official report for these engagements, (Aldie, Middleburg and Upperville) imply he relied foremost upon Lt. Meinell, with whom he had a longer personal association.  Whenever a section had to be detached on dangerous duty it was usually Meinell who went.”

Battery C saw action with the Army of the Potomac throughout the war. Captain Meinell remained in the Regular Army after Appomattox and resigned on January 1, 1870.

He committed suicide in Chicago on July 11, 1891. His remains were cremated and buried at Fresh Pond Crematory and Columbarium, Middle Village, New York.     [ad]

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