Description
Carte view identified as Captain Thomas Franklin Edmands of the 24th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. Edmands would take a commission as 2nd lieutenant with Company K in early December, 1861. Promoted to 1st lieutenant in August of 1862, he would also see promotions to adjutant and then captain in May and June of 1864. Attached to Burnsides Expeditionary Corps, they would take part in the movements into North Carolina in early 1862. The regiment would see it’s first action at Roanoke Island, followed by New Berne, Tranter’s Creek and several others before being attached to the Department of North Carolina in early 1863. Under their new command, they would take part in the Battle of Seccessionville and the siege of both Forts Wagner and Gregg, culminating in the capture of both places. The following year, serving in the Army of the James, the regiment would participate in Butler’s operations against Petersburg and Richmond. The men of the 24th would fight in a number of engagements that year including Drewry’s Bluff, Petersburg, Richmond, Deep Bottom Run, Chaffin’s Farm and numerous others. Edmands would be wounded at Deep Bottom Run when a ball passed across his lips just grazing his teeth! Following his return to the regiment, they would spend 1865 performing guard duty. Thomas would be brevetted to both lieutenant colonel and colonel near wars end and would continue to serve until his discharge in January, 1866. This view taken in Boston, most likely dates to the time of his enlistment. The regiment was raised in December and Edmands is dressed here in a heavy great coat and cape. A period ink signature across the front bottom reads “Thomas F. Edmands Lieut. 24th Infantry M.V.”.
