Description
Superb carte view of Sergeant Alfred Stratton of the 147th New York Volunteer Infantry. Stratton was just 17 when he enlisted in August, 1863 to help the 147th replenish their ranks after losing over 200 men at Gettysburg. He had enlisted as a substitute for August Lass, who had been drafted and would muster as a private with Company G. The regiment would continue to see hard fighting following Stratton’s arrival. At the Wilderness in 1864 they lost some 28 killed or mortally wounded, and more men at Spotsylvania, North Anna, Totopotomoy Creek and Cold Harbor. In June Stratton’s luck ran out when he was struck by a Confederate solid shot at Petersburg which resulted in the amputation of both arms. Despite all odds, Stratton recovered and was promoted to sergeant before being discharged 9/27/63. He received a pension but supplemented it through the sale of cartes-de-visites such as this one. Alfred would be one of the more widely photographed amputees of the war, but today are hard to come by. This view shows the veteran soldier dressed in his uniform with both sleeves pinned up. Across the front bottom in print is notated “Alfred A. Stratton Co. G.. 147th N.Y.V. Wounded at Petersburg, Va.”. No back mark on this one but a pristine view.
