This image came from an 88^th Pennsylvania collector with several other identified images. The full-standing view shows a Company grade officer wearing a dark slouch hat with a hat cord and an embroidered infantry hunting horn on the front with regimental numbers at center that are not clear enough to make out. He also wears a dark single-breasted frock coat with matching dark trousers that have thin light leg stripes. The subject is posed with his right hand on his hip leaning against his drawn Model 1850 Foot Officer’s sword. Around his waist is a sash and waistbelt with a Pattern 1851 rectangular plate and empty sword scabbard.

Image is clear with contrast that rates as good. If the contrast were excellent, we would be able to see the regimental numbers on the hat and the details of the belt plate. The bottom edge of the image has a photographer’s imprint for “R. R. PRIEST… Manayunk, PA.” Image is housed in the original wooden frame with gold gilt border. Frame meas. approx. 11.50 x 11.50 inches and is in very nice condition and ready to hang on the wall.

Andrew J. Wamsley was a resident of Philadelphia, PA when he enlisted on 4/23/61 as a Private in Co. E, 22^nd Pennsylvania Infantry. He was mustered out on 8/7/61.  On 9/3/61 he re-enlisted as a Private and was mustered into Co. C, 88^th Pennsylvania Infantry. Promoted to 1^s Sergeant, date not given; promoted to 1^st Lieutenant on 9/1/62.  Wounded in action at the Battle of Antietam on 9/17/62. Promoted to Captain on 5/2/64.  Little else could be found regarding his service before he was discharged for his wounds on 5/2/64. While the 88^th PA was at Gettysburg, his name is not on the Pennsylvania Monument. Wamsley would subsequently file for an Invalid’s Pension on 12/2/64.  He died on April 24, 1887 and is buried in Cypress Hills National Cemetery in Brooklyn, NY.

The 88th Pennsylvania was organized in September of 1861, with Company C being recruited in part from the Manayunk area of Philadelphia, the location of the photographer of this image. They served in the Army of the Potomac from October of 1861 to March of 1862; the Military District of Washington from March through May of 1862; and the Department of the Rappahannock between May and June 1862. In June of 1862 they joined the 3rd Corps, 2^nd Division of the Army of Virginia, during which time they saw action at Cedar Mountain and Second Manassas. In September of 1862 they were resubordinated to 1^st Corps, 2^nd Division, Army of the Potomac, where they remained until that organization’s consolidation with the 5th Corps in early 1864.

The 88th saw action in 42 engagements to include 2nd Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Wilderness, Spotsylvania, North Anna, Cold Harbor, Siege of Petersburg and Five Forks. The regiment suffered 181 deaths by battle, wounds and disease plus many others wounded but survived.  [SR/ld] [ph:L]

Please note: this frame contains glass; click here for our policy for shipment of framed items containing glass.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THIS ITEM, AS WITH ALL OTHER ITEMS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB SITE,

MAY BE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR LAYAWAY PROGRAM.

CLICK HERE FOR OUR POLICIES AND TERMS.

THANK YOU!