Description
Extremely rare ninth plate tintype in octogen format, identified as 1st Lieutenant DeForest Marsters. Initially, DeForest would muster as a private with the 85th New York Infantry in August of 1861. Serving on detached duty, he would work employed in the role of recruiting sergeant for the 2nd North Carolina Infantry US. In January of 1864, he would be discharged for a promotion to 1st lieutenant with the same regiment he had previously been recruiting for. Four month later he would find himself in the hands of enemy. Captured at Plymouth, North Carolina on April 20th, he would be sent to Macon & Savannah, Georgia and later, Charleston, South Carolina. He would however escape on October 5th, 1864 and make his way to a Provost Marshal’s office in Knoxville, where he arrived the following month. DeForest would rejoin the 2nd North Carolina in December. He would remain with the regiment until January, 1865, when he was ordered to take command of a fatigue party of the 1st NC Colored Heavy Artillery at Morehead City, North Carolina. He would finally resign in May of that year. A period note affixed to the velvet pad reads, “DeForest Marsters 1st Lt. 1st Regt. N.C.V.”. Housed in a mint thermoplastic case. Very seldom seen regiment!
