Description
Sixth plate tintype of your typical Federal infantryman. Standing pose dressed in his infantry frock and kepi. A cartridge box is worn over the shoulder while sporting a US waist belt, cap box and empty bayonet scabbard. His musket visible at his side. This one has a very old paper tag stuck to the reverse of the plate that reads “Property of L. Mayes”. This is very possibly Lewis Mayes of the 148th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. Lewis would muster with the regiment in February, 1864. He would be captured at Boydton Plank Road later that year before being paroled and transferring into the 53rd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry in June, 1865. There is one other possible match and that would be Levi Mays of the 13th Indiana Infantry. He would die of disease in early 1865. Considering this label on the reverse is post war, I think he can be excluded. This does have a faint, circular tax stamp impression on the plate which would coincide with Lewis’s enlistment date, however this one could use further research. Housed in a full leatherette case.
