Description
Carte view of a Federal corporal of infantry identified as “Ben Thompson”. This view came out of an album that contained a number of portraits associated with the 11th Illinois Volunteer Infantry. The reverse has a period ink inscription on the back reading “To I. E. Austin By his Brother Ben Thompson”. This would be Isaac E. Austin who served as a musician for the 11th Illinois Infantry. While there are a number of “Thompson’s” that would serve in the 11th, I could find no Ben Thompson. I’m fairly certain this is 46 year old, Benjamin Thompson of the 23rd Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He would later be wounded at Winchester on July 24, 1864. His age and physical description are certainly a match but this one could use more research. No back mark on this one.
