COLLECTION GUIDES

ca. 1860-1880

Guide to the Photograph Collection

Restrictions on Access

Use of the originals is restricted. This collection is available as color digital facsimiles (see links below).


Collection Summary

Title: 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment photographs
Dates: ca. 1860-1880
Physical Description: 108 photographs in 1 pamphlet box and 1 oversize box
Call Number: Photo. Coll. 72
Location: In the Massachusetts Historical Society Photo. Archives.
Repository:
Massachusetts Historical Society
1154 Boylston StreetBoston, MA 02215

Abstract

This collection contains tintype, ambrotype, and albumen portraits of soldiers and officers of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment, the first Black regiment from the North during the Civil War, as well as photos of the regiment's military camps, battles, and flags.

Collection Description

This collection contains photographs of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment, the first Black regiment raised in the North during the Civil War. They were collected by Capt. Luis F. Emilio, commander of Company E of the regiment. The photos date from ca. 1860 to ca. 1880 and include tintypes and one ambrotype of African American members of the regiment, as well as albumen photographs of its officers, including Robert Gould Shaw. There are also photographs of the regiment's military camps at Jacksonville, Fla. and Beaufort, Hilton Head Island, Folly Island, and Morris Island, S.C., as well as photographs of Fort McAllister, Georgia and the siege of Fort Wagner on Morris Island in 1863. One photograph that depicts the flags of the 54th Mass. Volunteer Infantry Regiment has pieces of the original flags attached. Photographers include George S. Cook and Haas & Peale; most of the photographers are unidentified.

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Arrangement

This collection is arranged by format: tintypes (arranged alphabetically) in one pamphlet box; ambrotype (stored apart from the collection in Photo. Coll. 2, Ambrotype collection); and albumen photographs in one oversize box (listed in the original order in which Capt. Luis F. Emilio pasted them to large sheets of paper).

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Acquisition Information

The 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment were removed from the Records of the Fifty-Fourth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment, a gift by Mary Silsbee Emilio to the Massachusetts Historical Society in 1920.

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Restrictions on Access

Use of the originals is restricted. This collection is available as color digital facsimiles (see links below).

Detailed Description of the Collection

All inscriptions in the hand of Luis F. Emilio.

The photographs in this collection have been digitized. Click on the photograph numbers below to access digital images.

Box 1#72.1 Digital Content

Arnum, Charles H., 1864. Private, Co. E.

Photographer unknown (Morris Island, S.C.).Tintype.Removed to Special Collections (Miniature cabinet, drawer 19).

Inscription on back of tintype: "Copy of photo taken at Morris Is. in 1864. / Pvt. Chas H. Arnum Co. E. North Adams. Prop. of Luis F. Emilio."

Box 1#72.2 Digital Content

Brown, Abraham F. (d. 1863), ca. 1862-1863. Private, Co. E.

Photographer unknown (Readville, Mass.).Tintype.Removed to Special Collections (Miniature cabinet, drawer 19).

Inscription on back of tintype: "Accidentally killed by a pistol shot, while cleaning the arm July 12, 1863. at James Island, S.C. Probably taken at Readville, M [inscription torn off]."

Box 1#72.3 Digital Content

Brown, Abraham F. (d. 1863), ca. 1862-1863. Private, Co. E.

Photographer unknown.Tintype.Removed to Special Collections (Miniature cabinet, drawer 19).

Inscription on back of tintype: "Pvt Abraham Brown Co. E. Shot himself accidently July 12 '63 Prop of L. F. Emilio."

Box 1#72.4 Digital Content

Gomar, Richard, wearing the membership badge of the Grand Army of the Republic, ca. 1880. Private, Co. H.

Photographer unknown.Tintype.Removed to Special Collections (Miniature cabinet, drawer 19).

Inscription on back of tintype: "Richard Gomer or Gomes as he writes it. Pvt. Co H. Cedar Rapids 251 S. 8th St. Iowa."

Listed in Massachusetts Soldiers, Sailors, and Marines in the Civil War (pub. 1931-1937) as "Gomar, Richard."

Box 1#72.5 Digital Content

Goosberry, John, ca. 1865. Musician, Co. E.

Photographer unknown.Tintype.Removed to Special Collections (Miniature cabinet, drawer 19).

Inscription on back of tintype: "Musician John Goosberry Co. E. 54th Mass. Property of L. F. Emilio."

Box 1#72.6 Digital Content

Johnson, Alexander H., ca. 1863-1865. Musician, Co. C.

Photographer unknown.Tintype.Removed to Special Collections (Miniature cabinet, drawer 19).

Inscription on back of tintype: "Alex H. Johnson Musician Co. C 54th Mass. Inf. From Capt. Homans."

Box 1#72.7 Digital Content

Netson, William J., ca. 1863-1864. Musician, Co. E.

Photographer unknown.Tintype.Removed to Special Collections (Miniature cabinet, drawer 19).

Inscription on back of tintype: "Wm J. Netson Mus. Co. E. Return to L. F. Emilio."

Box 1#72.8 Digital Content

Smith, Charles A., ca. 1880. Private, Co. C.

Photographer unknown.Tintype.Removed to Special Collections (Miniature cabinet, drawer 19).

Inscription on back of tintype: "Pvt. Chas. A. Smith. Co. C. Property of L. F. Emilio."

Box 1#2.162 Digital Content#72.9

Steward, Henry F., 1863. Sergeant, Co. E.

Photographer unknown.Hand-colored quarter-plate ambrotype in wood and paper mat.Removed to Special Collections (Miniature cabinet, drawer 22/Daguerreotypes).

Also known by alternate spelling: "Henry F. Stewart."

OS Box 1#72.10 Digital Content

Shaw, Robert Gould (1838-1863), ca. 1863. Colonel.

Photographer unknown.
OS Box 1#72.11 Digital Content

Hallowell, Edward N. (d. 1871), ca. 1863-1865. Colonel, Co. B.

Photographer unknown.
OS Box 1#72.12 Digital Content

Hooper, Henry Northey, ca. 1865. Lieutenant Colonel.

Photographer unknown.
OS Box 1#72.13 Digital Content

Appleton, John W. M., ca. 1863-1864. Major, Co. A.

Photographer unknown.
OS Box 1#72.14 Digital Content

Pope, George, ca. 1863-1865. Major, Co. I.

Photographer unknown.
OS Box 1#72.15 Digital Content

Halton, James M., ca. 1863-1865. Major.

Photographer unknown.
OS Box 1#72.16 Digital Content

Stone, Lincoln R., ca. 1863-1865. Surgeon.

Photographer unknown.
OS Box 1#72.17 Digital Content

Briggs, Charles E., ca. 1863-1865. Surgeon.

Photographer unknown.
OS Box 1#72.18 Digital Content

Brigham, C. A., ca. 1863-1865. Assistant Surgeon.

Photographer unknown.
OS Box 1#72.19 Digital Content

Pease, Giles M., ca. 1863-1865. Assistant Surgeon.

Photographer unknown.
OS Box 1#72.20 Digital Content

Radzinsky, Louis D., ca. 1863-1865. Assistant Surgeon.

Photographer unknown.
OS Box 1#72.21 Digital Content

Treadwell, Joshua B., ca. 1861-1864. Assistant Surgeon.

Photographer unknown.
OS Box 1#72.22 Digital Content

Appleton, Thomas L., ca. 1863-1865. Captain.

Photographer unknown.
OS Box 1#72.23 Digital Content

Bridge, Watson W., ca. 1863-1865. Captain, Co. F.

Photographer unknown.
OS Box 1#72.24 Digital Content

Chipman, Charles G., ca. 1863-1865. Captain, Co. D.

Photographer unknown.
OS Box 1#72.25 Digital Content

Emerson, Edward B., ca. 1863-1865. Captain, Co. E.

Photographer unknown.
OS Box 1#72.26 Digital Content

Emilio, Luis F. (b. 1844), ca. 1863-1865. Captain, Co. E.

Photographer unknown.
OS Box 1#72.27 Digital Content

Grace, James W., ca. 1860. Captain, Co. A and Co. C.

Photographer unknown.
OS Box 1#72.28 Digital Content

Homans, William H., ca. 1863-1865. Captain, Co. A.

Photographer unknown.
OS Box 1#72.29 Digital Content

Howard, Willard, ca. 1863-1865. Captain, Co. H and Co. I.

Photographer unknown.
OS Box 1#72.30 Digital Content

James, Garth W., ca. 1860. Captain, Co. G.

Photographer unknown.
OS Box 1#72.31 Digital Content

Jewett, Richard H. L., ca. 1863-1865. Captain, Co. K.

Photographer unknown.
OS Box 1#72.32 Digital Content

James, Edward L., ca. 1863-1865. Captain.

Photographer unknown.
OS Box 1#72.33 Digital Content

Joy, Charles F., ca. 1864-1865. Captain, Co. F and Co. I.

Photographer unknown.
OS Box 1#72.34 Digital Content

Reed, Lewis, ca. 1863-1865. Captain, Co. F and Co. K.

Photographer unknown.
OS Box 1#72.35 Digital Content

Russel, Cabot J., ca. 1863. Captain, Co. H.

Photographer unknown.
OS Box 1#72.36 Digital Content

Simpkins, William H., ca. 1863. Captain, Co. K.

Photographer unknown.
OS Box 1#72.37 Digital Content

Tucker, Charles E., ca. 1863-1865. Captain, Co. H and Co. I.

Photographer unknown.
OS Box 1#72.38 Digital Content

Willard, Samuel, ca. 1863. Captain, Co. B.

Photographer unknown.

Inscription under photograph reads: "Capt. Samuel Willard (Mann)."

OS Box 1#72.39 Digital Content

Cousens, Joseph E., ca. 1863-1865. Captain, Co. E.

Copy photograph, original taken by J. S. Variell.
OS Box 1#72.40 Digital Content

Partridge, David A., ca. 1863-1865. Captain.

Photographer unknown.
OS Box 1#72.41 Digital Content

Smith, Orrin E., ca. 1863-1864. Captain Co. G.

Photographer unknown.
OS Box 1#72.42 Digital Content

Newall, Robert R., ca. 1863-1865. Captain, Co. B.

Photographer unknown.
OS Box 1#72.43 Digital Content

Duren, Charles M., ca. 1863-1865. Lieutenant, Co. D.

Photographer unknown.
OS Box 1#72.44 Digital Content

Hallett, Charles A., ca. 1863-1865. Lieutenant.

Photographer unknown.
OS Box 1#72.45 Digital Content

Higginson, Francis L., ca. 1863-1864. Lieutenant, Co. F.

Photographer unknown.
OS Box 1#72.46 Digital Content

Leonard. Andrew W., ca. 1863-1865. Lieutenant, Co. K.

Photographer unknown.
OS Box 1#72.47 Digital Content

Littlefield. Henry W., ca. 1863-1865. Lieutenant, Co. H and Co. K.

Photographer unknown.
OS Box 1#72.48 Digital Content

Ritchie, John, ca. 1863-1865. Lieutenant.

Photographer unknown.
OS Box 1#72.49 Digital Content

Rogers, Frederick E., ca. 1864-1865. Lieutenant, Co. A.

Photographer unknown.
OS Box 1#72.50 Digital Content

Spear, Daniel G., ca. 1863-1865. Lieutenant, Co. E.

Photographer unknown.
OS Box 1#72.51 Digital Content

Stevens, Edward L., 1864. Lieutenant, Co. H.

Photographer unknown.
OS Box 1#72.52 Digital Content

Tomlinson, Ezekial G., ca. 1863-1864. Lieutenant, Co. I.

Photographer unknown.
OS Box 1#72.53 Digital Content

Whitney, William L., Jr., ca. 1864-1865. Lieutenant, Co. G.

Photographer unknown.
OS Box 1#72.54 Digital Content

Bridgham, Charles B., ca. 1863-1864. Lieutenant.

Photographer unknown.
OS Box 1#72.55 Digital Content

Conant, John H., ca. 1865. Lieutenant, Co. A and Co. B.

Photographer unknown.
OS Box 1#72.56 Digital Content

Edmands, Benjamin B., ca. 1863-1865. Lieutenant, Co. F.

Photographer unknown.
OS Box 1#72.57 Digital Content

Jewett, Charles, Jr., ca. 1863-1865. Lieutenant, Co. F.

Photographer unknown.
OS Box 1#72.58 Digital Content

Johnston, Alexander, ca. 1863. Lieutenant, Co. F.

Photographer unknown.
OS Box 1#72.59 Digital Content

Knowles, Alfred H., ca. 1863-1865. Lieutenant, Co. A.

Photographer unknown.
OS Box 1#72.60 Digital Content

McDermott, William, ca. 1863-1865. Lieutenant, Co. I and Co. K.

Photographer unknown.
OS Box 1#72.61 Digital Content

Pratt, James Albert, ca. 1863-1864. Lieutenant, Co. G.

Photographer unknown.
OS Box 1#72.62 Digital Content

Swails, Stephen A., ca. 1863. Lieutenant, Co. D and Co. F.

Photographer unknown.
OS Box 1#72.63 Digital Content

Tilden, Joseph, ca. 1860. Lieutenant, Co. H.

Photographer unknown.
OS Box 1#72.64 Digital Content

Vogelsang, Peter, ca. 1863-1865. Lieutenant, Co. H.

Photographer unknown.
OS Box 1#72.65 Digital Content

Helster, Fred H., ca. 1863-1865. Lieutenant.

Photographer unknown.
OS Box 1#72.66 Digital Content

Welch, Frank M., ca. 1863-1865. Lieutenant, Co. F.

Photographer unknown.
OS Box 1#72.67 Digital Content

Wilder, John, ca. 1863. Lieutenant.

Photographer unknown.
OS Box 1#72.68 Digital Content

Dexter, Benjamin F., ca. 1863-1864. Lieutenant, Co. C.

Photographer unknown.
OS Box 1#72.69 Digital Content

Hunter, David, ca. 1863-1865. Major-General.

Photographer unknown.
OS Box 1#72.70 Digital Content

Strong, George C., ca. 1863-1865. Major-General.

Photographer unknown.
OS Box 1#72.71 Digital Content

Hawley, Jos. R., ca. 1863-1865. General.

Photographer unknown.
OS Box 1#72.72 Digital Content

Gillmore, Quincy A., ca. 1863-1865. Brigadier-General.

Photographer unknown.
OS Box 1#72.73 Digital Content

Terry, Alfred Howe, ca. 1863-1865. General.

Photographer unknown.
OS Box 1#72.74 Digital Content

Seymour, Truman, ca. 1863-1865. General.

Photographer unknown.
OS Box 1#72.75 Digital Content

Saxton, Rufus, ca. 1863-1865. Brigadier-General.

Photographer unknown.
OS Box 1#72.76 Digital Content

Hatch, John P., ca. 1863-1865. General.

Photographer unknown.
OS Box 1#72.77 Digital Content

Foster, John G., ca. 1863-1865. General.

Photographer unknown.
OS Box 1#72.78 Digital Content

Copy photograph of 90 Civil War officers (most unidentified), n.d.

Possibly taken by George S. Cook.

Inscription on back of photo: "From photo plate owned by Geo. S. Cook, photographer, 913 E. Main St., Richmond, Va., purchased by me in March 1895, i.e. this photo, having seen the plate in Richmond, Va when there in Jan. 1895 - L. F. E."

OS Box 1#72.79 Digital Content

Members of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment and 1st New York Engineers at the Siege of Fort Wagner, Morris Island, S.C., 1863.

Taken by Haas & Peale.
OS Box 1#72.80 Digital Content

Members of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment in Fort Wagner, Morris Island, S.C., after its capture, 1863.

Taken by Haas & Peale.
OS Box 1#72.81 Digital Content

Military camp at Folly Island, S.C., ca. 1863-1864.

Photographer unknown.
OS Box 1#72.82 Digital Content

"Beach before Wagner, Morris Island," ca. 1863-1864.

Photographer unknown.
OS Box 1#72.83 Digital Content

"Dress Parade in Fort Wagner, Morris Island," ca. 1863-1864.

Photographer unknown.
OS Box 1#72.84 Digital Content

"Interior Fort Wagner, Morris Island," ca. 1863-1864.

Photographer unknown.
OS Box 1#72.85 Digital Content

"Gun on Morris Island," ca. 1863-1864.

Photographer unknown.
OS Box 1#72.86 Digital Content

"Old Beach House, Morris Island," ca. 1863-1864.

Photographer unknown.
OS Box 1#72.87 Digital Content

"Camp [at] Folly Island," ca. 1863-1864.

Photographer unknown.
OS Box 1#72.88 Digital Content

"Camp of Lieut. Col. Hall on Folly Island," ca. 1863-1864.

Photographer unknown.
OS Box 1#72.89 Digital Content

"Stockade for Confederate Prisoners on Folly Island," ca. 1863-1864.

Photographer unknown.
OS Box 1#72.90 Digital Content

"Port Royal House, Hilton Head, S.C.," ca. 1863-1864.

Photographer unknown.
OS Box 1#72.91 Digital Content

"Army Pier at Hilton Head," ca. 1863-1864.

Photographer unknown.
OS Box 1#72.92 Digital Content

"Transport steamer Fulton," ca. 1863-1864.

Photographer unknown.
OS Box 1#72.93 Digital Content

"Steamer Nelly Baker," ca. 1863-1864.

Photographer unknown.
OS Box 1#72.94 Digital Content

"Beaufort Hotel, S.C.," ca. 1863-1864.

Photographer unknown.
OS Box 1#72.95 Digital Content

"Arsenal, Beaufort, S.C.," ca. 1863-1864.

Photographer unknown.
OS Box 1#72.96 Digital Content

"Episcopal Church, Beaufort, S.C.," ca. 1863-1864.

Photographer unknown.
OS Box 1#72.97 Digital Content

"School Teacher Residence, Beaufort, S.C.," ca. 1863-1864.

Photographer unknown.
OS Box 1#72.98 Digital Content

"Bay Street, Beaufort, S.C.," ca. 1863-1864.

Photographer unknown.
OS Box 1#72.99 Digital Content

"Siege Guns, Beaufort, S.C.," ca. 1863-1864.

Photographer unknown.
OS Box 1#72.100 Digital Content

"Camp, 1st N.Y. Engineer near Beaufort," ca. 1863-1864.

Photographer unknown.
OS Box 1#71.101 Digital Content

"Camp in Florida," ca. 1863-1864.

Photographer unknown.
OS Box 1#72.102 Digital Content

"Street in Jacksonville, Florida," ca. 1863-1864.

Photographer unknown.
OS Box 1#72.103 Digital Content

"Navy Machine Shop, Navy Point, S.C.," ca. 1863-1864.

Photographer unknown.
OS Box 1#72.104 Digital Content

"S. A. Cooley outfit, Port Royal," ca. 1863-1864.

Photographer unknown.
OS Box 1#72.105 Digital Content

"Quartermaster Depot, Jacksonville, Florida," ca. 1863-1864.

Photographer unknown.
OS Box 1#72.106 Digital Content

"Fort McAllister, Georgia," ca. 1863-1864.

Photographer unknown.
OS Box 1#72.107 Digital Content

"[Charleston?] - Charleston, S.C.," ca. 1863-1864.

Photographer unknown.
OS Box 1#72.108 Digital Content

Three flags of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment, ca. 1894.

Photographer unknown.

Photograph mount also displays cloth pieces of the flags, with captions.

Inscription on photograph: "Portions of 54th flags / -from- / Mrs. [illegible] Homans, Jan 17, 1894."

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Preferred Citation

54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment photographs, Photo. Coll. 72, Massachusetts Historical Society Photo Archives.

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Access Terms

This collection is indexed under the following headings in ABIGAIL, the online catalog of the Massachusetts Historical Society. Researchers desiring materials about related persons, organizations, or subjects should search the catalog using these headings.

Persons:

Cook, George S. (George Smith), 1819-1902, photographer.
Emilio, Luis F. (Luis Fenollosa), b. 1844.
Shaw, Robert Gould, 1837-1863--Photographs.

Organizations:

Haas & Peale, photographers.
United States. Army. African American troops--Photographs.
United States. Army--Flags--Photographs.
United States. Army. Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, 54th (1863-1865)--Photographs.

Subjects:

African American soldiers--Massachusetts--Photographs.
Beaufort (S.C)--Photographs.
Folly Island (S.C. : Island)--Photographs.
Fort McAllister (Ga. : Fort)--Photographs.
Fort Wagner (S.C.)--Photographs.
Hilton Head Island (S.C.)--Photographs.
Jacksonville (Fla.)--Photographs.
Military camps--Photographs.
Morris Island, Battle of, S.C., 1863 (July 10-September 7)--Photographs.
Port Royal (S.C.)--Photographs.
Portrait photographs.
Soldiers--Photographs.
Tintypes.
United States--History--Civil War, 1863-1865--Flags--Photographs.
United States--History--Civil War, 1863-1865--Participation, African American--Photographs.
United States--History--Civil War, 1863-1865--Photographs.

Collection processed by Megan K. Friedel, Mar. 2003.

Revised 30 Apr. 2021

Encoded by Megan K. Friedel, Oct. 2004.