CDV is a full standing view of Charles G. Blake of Company F, 34^th Massachusetts Infantry. Blake is posed resting one hand on the pedestal of a column which also holds his forage cap. He wears a dark frockcoat with sergeant’s chevrons and light trousers.

Clarity is good but the contrast is a bit on the light side. Paper and mount have light surface dirt. Bottom center of the mount has a faint “C. G. BLAKE” in period pencil.

Reverse has a photographer’s imprint for ADAMS GALLERT… WORCESTER, MASS. Identification is at top in modern pencil.

Charles Greenleaf Blake was born September 21, 1841 in Vermont. On the outbreak of the Civil War, Blake was a 21 year old telegraph operator working on the Vermont Central Railroad. He enlisted at Greenfield, Massachusetts on July 31, 1862 as a sergeant in Company F, 34^th Massachusetts Infantry. He was promoted to sergeant major on April 28, 1864, commissioned a 2^nd lieutenant on June 6, 1864 and to 1^st lieutenant on October 18, 1864. He was mustered out at Richmond, Virginia on June 16, 1865.

After the war Blake went to Manchester, Vermont where he was the manager of the Western Union office. In 1874 he went to South America under contract to the Brazilian government to construct and superintend a telegraphic fire-alarm for the city of Rio de Janeiro. He died there of yellow fever on April 12, 1876.

Charles Blake is now buried in South Royalton Village Cemetery in South Royalton, Vermont.

The 34^th Massachusetts served in the defenses of Washington until 1863 before moving to the Department of West Virginia and later to the 24^th Corps. It saw action at Charlestown, Third Winchester, Fisher's Hill, Cedar Creek, Siege of Petersburg and the Appomattox campaign. Records show that Blake was present for all these engagements. [ad] [ph:L]

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