Vignette bust image of Merritt B. Bessey in the uniform of a Federal captain.

Contrast and clarity are excellent. Paper and mount are good.

Reverse has a photographer’s imprint for S. L. WALKER… WORCESTER, MASS. Reverse also has a green 3 cent tax stamp and a modern pencil ID. Identification is confirmed by an online image a copy of which comes with the photo.

Merritt B. Bessey was born in Enosburg Falls, Vermont on July 24, 1839 and was educated and took up the profession of engineer.

At age 22 he enlisted as a private in Company A, 3^rd Massachusetts Rifles but was discharged for disability on July 24, 1861.

Not discouraged, Bessey was given a commission as 2^nd lieutenant in Company A, 25^th Massachusetts on October 12, 1861. Bessey was a good soldier and was promoted several times. He was made 1^st lieutenant on March 20, 1862 and captain of Company C on April 22, 1864.

Bessey fared well until early 1864 when his regiment was transferred with the 18^th Corps to Virginia. Here, Bessey became a bullet magnet being wounded three times, first at Arrowfield Church on May 9, 1864, then at Cold Harbor on the following June 3 and finally in the initial assault on Petersburg on June 15, 1864.

Captain Bessey was mustered out on March 9, 1865 but was promoted to major by brevet a few days later on March 13. It should be noted that from late June through the end of the war Bessey served as a staff officer for General Stannard.

After the war Bessey was a member of the George H. Ward Post #10 of the GAR in Worcester. He died on September 17, 1920 from a heart attack caused by cutting his lawn. He was buried in Worcester’s Hope Cemetery.  [ad] [ph:L]

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