Item No. 4564479

Officers pose among a cut-down woodlot while a Union infantry camp bustles in the background of this large, mounted, panoramic albumen image. The image is a product of two separate plates that are spliced together to form this extra-wide view. The identity of the regiment is not indicated on the photograph, but the Library of Congress holds an identical print of the left-hand portion of our image that identifies the unit as the 30th Pennsylvania Infantry (1st Reserves). In the foreground, the field officers lean on stumps at the left while the captains and lieutenants stand nearby in various poses. The officer at front-left is Colonel W. Cooper Talley of Rockdale, Pennsylvania—recently promoted. A hundred yards to the rear of the officers, a company of soldiers is formed in line before a group of white tents. Further investigation of the background shows tents formed into several company streets. One street is fronted by an arbor-adorned arch, while trees have been planted to decorate the rows of tents. Men can be seen standing in groups. The regimental band is formed into a small line. Most men seem to be aware of the camera’s presence, with some even hamming it up. This is an extraordinary image that presents a wonderful view with incredible depth. The albumen prints measure about 15 1/4” x 7 1/2”. They are affixed to a thicker paper mount measuring about 17” x 9 1/2”. There is some very slight waviness, as larger images often have, along the mount’s borders. This image is a great candidate for framing.