IDENTIFIED CDV — CAPT. JOHN G. MUDGE, CO. F, 53rd MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY; WOUNDED AT PORT HUDSON

IDENTIFIED CDV — CAPT. JOHN G. MUDGE, CO. F, 53rd MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY; WOUNDED AT PORT HUDSON

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$175.00

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Item Code: 2025-1041

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Albumen carte de visite, a waist-up seated studio portrait of a full-bearded Union infantry officer in a dark single-breasted frock coat with captain's shoulder straps. He rests one arm on a cloth-draped studio table bearing his forage cap with brass device to the front, wears a sword belt with cast U.S. eagle plate and an over-the-shoulder sword sling, and grasps an officer's sword with knotted sword knot across his lap. A strong, clear image with good tonal contrast.

The verso carries the photographer's eagle-and-flag backmark of R.G. BARCALOW, 76 BOWERY, NEW YORK (the banner reading as "Arcalow"), together with a later collector's pencil identification, "Capt. John G. Mudge, 53rd Mass. Inf."

The 53rd Massachusetts was stationed in New York City from 18 November 1862 until embarking for the Gulf on 17 January 1863. A Bowery studio sitting places this portrait squarely within that window — late 1862 to early 1863 — before the regiment ever reached Louisiana.

John Green Mudge was born at Winchester, New Hampshire, 26 March 1823, and settled at Petersham, Massachusetts. In 1862 he raised a company of volunteers in Petersham and the adjoining towns and was commissioned Captain of Company F, 53rd Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteer Militia — a nine-months regiment ordered to the Department of the Gulf under General Banks. He was present at the capture of Fort Bisland in April 1863 and served with his company throughout the siege of Port Hudson.

In the disastrous assault of 14 June 1863, Capt. Mudge led Company F up the parapet under heavy fire, by his own account losing nearly every man who reached the brow of the hill. He was himself struck by a minié ball, losing the lower portion of his left ear. Of the 34 men who followed him into the charge, 22 were killed, wounded, or missing. His vivid recollection of the assault was later published in Charles Carleton Coffin's "Stories of Our Soldiers." Mudge mustered out 2 September 1863; in later life a prominent citizen of Petersham, he served in the Massachusetts legislature and led the effort to establish the town's memorial library.

A presentation sword and watch engraved to Capt. Mudge are documented in a private collection, marking him as a presentation-grade officer held in high regard by his community.

Accompanied by a transcription of his Port Hudson assault letter and printed internet research material.

An identified, combat-wounded officer image of a captain who raised his own company — well-documented and tightly datable.   [ss][ph:L]

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