Description
Very nice portrait identified as Assistant Surgeon Winfield Fuller of the 8th New York Cavalry. The 24 year old New York resident would be commissioned into the 8th New York Cavalry as an assistant surgeon in November, 1861. Known as the “Rochester Regiment”, the regiment first came under fire at Winchester in May, 1862, where five dismounted companies were engaged. It distinguished itself during the siege of Harper’s Ferry in September by escaping through the besieging lines at night, capturing some of the enemy’s trains while on the way. Following Harper’s Ferry, Winfield would resign his commission to take a commission with the 94th New York Infantry but would not muster. Instead he would be commissioned into the 78th New York Infantry in February, 1863 with a promotion to surgeon in July. Under the 78th, Winfield would be present for both the Chancellorsville and Gettysburg Campaign as well as the Chattanooga Campaign late in 1863. He skills would once more be needed in 1864 as the Atlanta Campaign began in April of that year. In mid July the remnants of the regiment would be consolidated with the 102nd New York Infantry and Fuller would be discharged from the service. Winfield strikes this Napoleonic pose here dressed in a tailored uniform with trefoil pattern trim shown on the cuffs. His cap rests on the table with the numeral “8” and cavalry insignia pinned to the front. This one is back marked out of Newark, New York where many men were recruited for the 8th Cavalry.
