This small group of two CDV’s features the Forrester brothers, Captain John W. and Surgeon William, of the 5^th Kentucky Cavalry.

John’s image is a chest-up view. He wears a dark frockcoat with the shoulder straps of a captain visible. Bottom of the image is identified in period ink “JOHN W. FORRESTER JAN. 1864.” Contrast and clarity are good but there is moderate to heavy surface dirt from age and storage throughout. Reverse has a photographer’s imprint for S. B. MARTIN…NASHVILLE.

The companion image is also a chest-up view showing William in a dark double-breasted frockcoat with shoulder straps. The bottom center of the image has a period pencil identification that reads “DR. W. FORRESTER.” Also, in pencil above William’s head is “THE DOCTOR.” Contrast and clarity are very good but again, surface dirt from age and storage can be seen over the face of the image. Reverse has a photographer’s imprint for C.C. GIERS…NASHVILLE, TENN.

John W. Forrester enlisted as a sergeant in Company G, 3^rd Kentucky Cavalry on October 3, 1861. He was promoted to quartermaster sergeant on April 1, 1862 and was transferred to the 5^th Kentucky Cavalry for promotion on February 24, 1863. While with the 3^rd he saw action at Stones River.

John was next commissioned captain of Company K, 5^th Kentucky Cavalry on April 4, 1863. Captain Forrester led his Company at Nashville, Tullahoma, Chickamauga, Crawfish Springs, Chattanooga, Okolona and Adairsville. He was wounded in the head at Buckhead Creek, Georgia on November 28, 1864 and died the next day. With his brother William being an assistant surgeon in the regiment it is possible that he tended to his brother’s wound. Today John rests in the Andersonville National Cemetery.

William Forrester was born in Jefferson County, Kentucky on August 13, 1836. After attending public school, he graduated from the Louisville Medical University. With the outbreak of the war, he became assistant surgeon of the 5^th Kentucky Cavalry on March 26, 1862. He was promoted to surgeon on April 22, 1863. William was present with the regiment until September 21, 1863 when he was listed as missing in action. Turns out he was captured at McLemore’s Cove, Georgia and was held in Richmond. He was exchanged at City Point, Virginia on November 24, 1863 and rejoined the regiment on December 27. He was present with the regiment for the rest of its service being mustered out at Louisville, Kentucky on May 3, 1865.

After the war he went to New York City for post graduate studies and then returned to Louisville to go into private practice.

William Forrester died in Louisville on August 15, 1909 and is buried there in Cave Hill Cemetery.  [ad] [ph:L]

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

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!