Description
This is your classic Texas rebel dressed in a dark civilian frock and vest with the large bone buttons which they often times photographed wearing. Sixth plate ambrotype, I picked this one up many years ago from a family estate out of Navarro County, Texas. Verbal provenance at that time identified the subject as John A. Strobel. John would muster as a private with Company F of Griffin’s Texas Infantry Battalion, mustering in June, 1862 at 31 years of age. The regiment would be assembled during the summer of 1862 composing six companies. They would serve in the Trans-Mississippi Department along the Texas coast as well as Galveston. During the spring of 1864, the unit was merged with members of the 11th Texas Cavalry and Infantry battalions and formed the newly named, 21st Texas Infantry Regiment. Immediately following their formation, the regiment would carry out various duties in Galveston as well as being stationed along the Texas coast for the remainder of that year as well as service at Sabine Pass and Matagorda Island. The men would serve mainly as scouts and performed garrison duty with very little combat experience. After a short assignment at Marshall, Texas, during the winter of 1864 – 65, the regiment moved to Shreveport, Louisiana. They would remain there until April of 1865 before returning to Texas and disbanding in May. This view is unquestionably of Texas origins. John is shown here wielding this massive D-Guard bowie knife while a Colt Model 1851 Navy revolver rests across his mid-section. A M1851 eagle waist belt is worn as well, which is not uncommon for the Texas frontier. Some slight service scratches as can be observed. This one does come with what scant service records could be found on Strobel. Housed in a mint thermoplastic case.
