CDV PHOTOGRAPHS OF SERGEANT AMOS HUMISTON (KILLED AT GETTYSBURG) AND HIS “CHILDREN OF THE BATTLEFIELD”

CDV PHOTOGRAPHS OF SERGEANT AMOS HUMISTON (KILLED AT GETTYSBURG) AND HIS “CHILDREN OF THE BATTLEFIELD”

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$495.00 ON HOLD

Quantity Available: 1

Item Code: 2026-363

The first CDV photograph is a bust view of Amos Humiston of the 154th New York who was killed on July 1, 1863 and whose unidentified body was found clutching a photo of his three children. One of the more famous human-interest stories of the battle of Gettysburg is that of the unknown sergeant found dead in Gettysburg near the corner of York and Stratton streets. When his body was discovered Humiston was holding a picture of his three children in his hand. Nothing was found on the body at the time that would reveal the soldier’s name. A copy of the image was published throughout the country in an effort to identify the soldier and the children. The mother of the three children, Philinda Humiston, saw the image in a local newspaper and contacted authorities to identify her husband’s body. The story touched many hearts and a charity was founded to raise money for war orphans. Copies of the children’s photograph recovered from Amos’ hands were reproduced and also sold to raise money for war orphans.

Image shows Humiston in a dark frockcoat with the collar turned down. Contrast and clarity are good. Mount and paper are clean. Bottom center of the mount is printed with “SERGT. AMOS HUMISTON, / Of the 154th N. Y. Vols.” Reverse has a photographer’s imprint for F. GUTEKUNST… PHILADELPHIA. Bottom of reverse tells the story of Sergeant Humiston and his children. Amos Humiston was 32 years old when he enlisted at Portville, New York as a corporal in Company C, 154th New York Infantry on July 26, 1862. He was promoted to sergeant January 25, 1863 and was killed in action at Gettysburg on July 1, 1863. He is buried in grave B-14 of the New York plot at Gettysburg National Cemetery.

Second CDV image is a frontal seated pose of Humiston’s children, known as the “CHILDREN OF THE BATTLEFIELD.” The three children in this CDV are Frank, Frederick and Alice Humiston and are identified along the bottom front edge of the mount. The image has excellent contrast with some light foxing. The reverse has a fancy photographer’s back mark for WENDEROTH, TAYLOR & BROWN... PHILADELPHIA. Printed at top of the reverse is the story of the image and that it is being sold to endow The National Homestead at Gettysburg for Orphans of Soldiers and Sailors. Image also bears the printed date of 1865 at bottom.

Photographs of the Humiston children are encountered more often than those of their father Amos. [jet][ph:L]

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