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Quarter Plate Tintype of Heavy Artilleryman, a cap

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Quarter Plate Tintype of Heavy Artilleryman, a captivating view of an unknown teenage private wearing field improvised Hardee hat that displays the crossed cannons insignia of Company H, 9th New York Heavy Artillery. The business end of an Enfield rifle is taller than the boy. The 9th New York Heavy was raised in September 1862 and spent a quiet year and a half building and garrisoning the forts of the Washington Defenses. The "Heavies" then marched as infantry joining the Army of the Potomac in the field for Grant's unrelenting 1864 spring offensive, suffering disproportionately high casualties as the commanding General sought to bleed Lee and pin the Army of Northern Virginia to fixed defenses. By the end of the war the 8th New York Heavy counted 204 combat casualties mostly from that summer's serial battle of attrition.
The plate shows average clarity with contrast on the soft side. Several bends are evident, otherwise near VG. Housed in a complete composition case with repaired spine.

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