Description
Rare carte view of a member of the 177th New York Infantry, otherwise known as the Albany Zouaves. A nine month regiment, it was organized at Albany, New York, and there mustered into the U. S. service during the fall of 1862. Arriving in New Orleans in December, it was assigned to the 3d brigade of Sherman’s division, afterwards the 3d brigade, 2nd division, 19th corps. They would take part in skirmishes at McGill’s Ferry, Pontchatoula, Civiques Ferry and Amite river and were active throughout the siege of Port Hudson where it fought gallantly in the general assault of May 27. They would suffer 23 casualties during the assault and in the course of just nine months, would lose a total of 160 men. This view is identified as Private John VanLeuven of “D” Company. John would muster with the regiment in November of 1862 serving the full nine months. While this view itself is not identified, a second known view was held in the Mike McAfee collection for many years before his passing. John is shown here dressed in the Zouave uniform issued to the regiment while displaying a McDowell pattern cap with a large script “D” present on the crown of the cap identifying his company. He also sports a SNY waist belt. Seldom seen unit. Back marked out of Albany as well. Great image!
