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July 1865. "Col. William Telford and officers of the 50th Pennsylvania Infantry at Gettysburg." Wet plate negative by William Morris Smith. View full size.
The enlisted guys would have borne the worst during the war. I wonder if a photo exists of the soldiers.
No one looks overfed, do they?
The regiment lost a total of 348 men during service; 8 officers and 156 enlisted men killed or mortally wounded, 4 officers and 180 enlisted men died of disease.
From the 50th Pennsylvania (Volunteer) Infantry Wikipedia page
More than 20 battles engaged in during the Rebellion. Including the brutal Battle of Antietam, where more than 22,000 died on a single day.
Ironically, based on this final photo locale before mustering out, the 50th Pennsylvania did not see action at Gettysburg in 1863 on their home ground. They were otherwise engaged at the Siege of Vickburg and the Jackson, MS Expedition.
This appears to be their leader with his assembled officer corps, based on their dress, the sardine can shoulder straps and the fact nearly all brandish swords. Maybe their chaplain as well seated front row and to the right.
The second man from the left on top of the bank is holding what appears to be an unsheathed saber. Hope he didn't have a slip getting back up. And, of all the men here, only one is wearing a useful hat. Probably the brains of the outfit.
1 Oct '61- 31 Jul '65: 8 officers and 156 enlisted men killed or mortally wounded. 4 officers and 180 enlisted men died of disease. Total, 348. This does not include those that were wounded and didn't return to the ranks. They sacrificed much.
Those men have seen things that are almost too terrible to imagine. This unit was at Bull Run, Antietam, Vicksburg, Cold Harbor, The Wilderness, and Petersburg. They lost more men to disease than to combat injuries. Gettysburg the summer after the war ended must have been a near vacation.
Ummm ... thanks for your service guys.
The 50th Pennsylvania (Volunteer) Infantry mustered out on July 30, 1865.
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