Description
Flawless carte view identified as Lieutenant Colonel John Whiton of Boston, Massachusetts. In April of 1861 John began his Civil War military service as captain of Company A, Second Battalion, Massachusetts Volunteers – also known as the Boston Tigers, one of the most well known military groups in Massachusetts. They would spend a month stationed at Fort Warren in Boston Harbor until May 21, 1861, when the battalion was relieved. The following year in August of 1862, John began recruiting soldiers for the 43rd Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. Serving as lieutenant colonel for the regiment, the men of the 43rd would leave Massachusetts in October, 1862 for North Carolina. During the next few months they would participate in the Goldsboro expedition, fighting in the battles at Kinston, Whitehall, Springbank Bridge, Blount’s Creek, and Little Washington. He also worked with the regiment to perform garrison duty, construct roads, and build fortifications. John mustered out of service with the rest of his regiment on July 30, 1863 at Readville, Massachusetts. March of 1864 would see John taking a commission as lieutenant colonel of the 58th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. On April 28, 1864 the 58th Massachusetts left for Virginia under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel John C. Whiton. The regiment was often engaged in combat, participating in the battles of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, North Anna, Totopotomoy Creek, Bethesda Church, Cold Harbor, and Petersburg. John suffered a fractured rib at Bethesda Church after being hit in the side by a musket ball and was unable to fight for a brief period of time. Recognized for his leadership skills, he would receive a brevet to colonel in April, 1865. John and his regiment would march to Washington and were present at the grand review before returning to Massachusetts mustering out of service on July 26, 1865. This view dates to his time serving with the 58th and was presumably taken at the time of his commission with that regiment. The reverse bears a wonderful period ink signature reading, “Respectfully John C. Whiton Lt. Col. 58th Mass. Vol. Boston, Mass”. Back marked out of Boston as well.
