Description
Carte view identified as Private Basil Dykes of the 2nd New Jersey Volunteer Infantry. Basil would muster with “G” Company in May of 1861. Over the next 3 years, the regiment would fight in many of the war’s most trying battles and campaigns. The Peninsular Campaign, Pope’s Campaign into Northern Virginia, the Maryland Campaign as well as the Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Bristoe and Mine Run Campaigns. Despite the previous 3 years of hard fighting, Basil would re-enlist with the regiment in February, 1864, determined to see the thing through. Following a brief furlough following his re-enlistment, Basil would return to the regiment to slug it out once more on the Wilderness battlefield. It would be his last fight. He would fall on the field of battle on May 6, 1864 and was interred in the Fredericksburg National Cemetery. This view of Basil was most likely taken during his furlough home in 1864. A period ink signature on the reverse reads, “B. Dykes 2nd Reg. N. J. Vols”. Back marked out of Newark, New Jersey.
