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OUTDOOR IMAGE: “UNION ARMY OFFICERS 6th NEW YORK CAVALRY”

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A 7-7/8” by 5-3/4” albumen image on an 8-1/4” by 6-1/8” cardstock mount showing 14 officers in line, with a few enlisted men behind them, a row of tents to their rear, and a flag on spearpoint tipped pole at the left rear. Three officers wear double-breasted frock coats indicating field-grade officers. The rest mostly wear single breasted frock coats of line officers, with a few officer-style fatigue blouses thrown in. The image is identified as “Civil War Union officers / 6^th New York Cavalry” by a modern label pasted to it at lower right. We see nothing on the back of the mount and have not seen the image published or confirmed the identification, but note the following: an enlisted man at left rear clearly wears a mounted services jacket; the flag appears to have light colored field and is likely a yellow cavalry standard; sabers are worn by some officers and show steel scabbards; and, the left-most field grade officer at center bears a passing resemblance to the Massachusetts MOLLUS photo of Major James B. Daily of the 6^th NY Cavalry shown on CWData (as Dailey.) He enrolled in the 6^th at New York City at age 31 on Aug. 3, 1861, was commissioned Major Dec. 30, 1861, and was mustered to rank as such from October 15, 1861. He served with the regiment until resigning Sept. 6, 1862. This would fit an early war date for the photo:  everyone looks pretty fresh. The image is in very good condition, with good clarity, and shows just one small chip to the paper at the bottom center, not at all affecting the content. The perimeter of the mount shows a line of foxing, likely from contact with the edge of a wood frame for a time. It is now unframed.

The 6^th New York Cavalry was an extremely active unit in the Army of the Potomac with some time in the cavalry corps Army of the Shenandoah in 1864. Phisterer lists 144 engagements for them, and we may have missed a couple in counting them all. The Union Army, cited below, says “more than 150 battles and skirmishes” and summarizes their service as follows:

“This regiment was organized at New York city in the fall of 1861 as the 2nd Ira Harris Guard. The companies of which it was composed were recruited from the counties of New York, Dutchess, Columbia. Rensselaer, Washington, Jefferson, St. Lawrence, Allegany, Broome, Monroe and Steuben, and were mustered into the U. S. service from Sept. 12 to Dec. 19, 1861, for three years. At the expiration of its term of service those entitled thereto were mustered out and the regiment, composed of veterans and recruits, remained in service. On June 17, 1865, commanded by Col. Fitzhugh, it was consolidated into eight companies, which with the 15th N. Y. cavalry, united to form the 2nd Provisional regiment, N. Y. cavalry, being designated Cos. A, B, C, D, E, I, L and M of the new organization.

The regiment left the state on Dec. 23, 1861, commanded by Col. Devin, proceeding first to York, Pa., where it passed the winter in barracks, dismounted. In the spring of 1862 it was mounted and the 3d battalion, composed of Cos. D, K, F and H, took part in the Peninsular -campaign with the 2nd and 4th corps, rejoining the regiment in the summer of 1863. The 1st and 2nd battalions were employed during 1862 in guard and scouting duty, attached first to Gen. Wadsworth's command, and afterward serving with the 9th corps, and Pleasonton's cavalry division, in the 2nd brigade. The regiment took an active part in the Maryland campaign, being the first regiment to enter Frederick City. It was active at South Mountain and Antietam, the latter battle being opened by a squadron of the 6th. For a brilliant affair near Lovettsville, Va., in Oct., 1862, it received the thanks of Gen. Burnside in a special order. In Feb., 1863, it was attached to the 2nd brigade, 1st cavalry division, Army of the Potomac, a detachment serving with the 22nd corps in July and August, and in Oct., 1864, the regiment was ordered to the Army of the Shenandoah. At Spottsylvania Court House, the day before the opening of the battle of Chancellorsville, the regiment made a brilliant charge upon Fitz Hugh Lee's brigade, and sustained a loss of 51 in killed, wounded and missing, among the killed being its gallant commander, Lieut. -Col. Mc- Vicar. It was highly commended by Gen. Pleasonton, who said: "The heroism of the 6th N. Y. cavalry in cutting its way to our line through treble the force of the enemy's cavalry, created the greatest admiration." The regiment was active at Chancellorsville, losing 21 killed, wounded and missing, and saw much hard fighting from this time on. It took part in the Gettysburg campaign and in the subsequent operations in Virginia ending with the Mine Run campaign, though its losses were small for the amount of active duty performed, as Col. Devin knew how to take his men into action and also how to bring them out. Early in 1864, it shared in Kilpatrick's raid to Richmond; was active at the Wilderness; in Gen. Sheridan's raid to the James River; at Cold Harbor; Sheridan's Trevilian raid, where its losses aggregated 63 in killed, wounded and missing; at Deep Bottom, Berryville, Cedar creek, the Opequan, Fisher's hill, the Second Cedar Creek, Newtown, and numerous lesser engagements. In 1865, with the Army of the Potomac, it joined in the final campaign, being actively engaged at Dinwiddie Court House, Five Forks, the fall of Petersburg, Deep Creek, Amelia Court House, Sailor's Creek and Appomattox. At Five Forks, where the 6th was among the first to enter the enemy's works, it was presented with a flag by Gen. Sheridan, emblazoned with the words "Five Forks." Both Cols. Devin and Fitzhugh were brevetted major-generals for gallant and meritorious conduct. The total loss of the 6th was 9 officers and 72 men, killed in action and died of wounds, 133 men died of disease, accident and all other causes, of whom 36 died as prisoners. There were 24 officers and 186 men wounded, including the mortally wounded; 12 officers and 197 men were reported missing; aggregate of casualties, 472. Medals of honor for gallant conduct in the capture of the colors were awarded to Thomas Kelly, private; Patrick H. McEnroe, sergeant; George E. Meach, farrier, and Thomas M. Wells, chief bugler. The regiment participated in over 150 battles and skirmishes and gained a splendid reputation for efficiency and discipline.”  [sr][ph:L]

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