Description
Spectacular carte view of an identified member of the famed 5th Michigan Cavalry. Identified as Quarter Master Sergeant Squire E. Skeels, the 23 year old would muster with “M” Company in August, 1862. The 5th Michigan would make up part of the famed Michigan Brigade commanded by George Armstrong Custer and would go on to earn great acclaim. The regiment would take part in nearly a dozen notable battles including Cedar Mountain, Bull Run, Gettysburg, The Wilderness, Five Forks and a handful of others. Three men from the regiment would eventually be awarded the Medal of Honor. This view of Skeels shows the young trooper sporting a smile on his face and his hair blow back as if he just rode in on his horse at a hard charge! Dressed in his cavalry uniform, he wears a holstered revolver on the belt along with his cap box. His cap can be seen hanging off of the back of the chair and partially obscured by his hand resting on his sword. Sergeants chevrons are affixed to the sleeve along with this insignia which I have not seen before. He wears the very seldom seen quarter master rank which consisted of three bars and a “tie”. The example shown here is that of handkerchief tie. The “tie” was often interpreted differently by each individual so there are often varying interstation’s of the ranks design. The reverse of the card bears this wonderful ink inscription reading, “Remember me when far away, and keep me in your heart and think that I remember you when a thousand miles apart.”. It is then signed below, “S. E. Skeels Sargeant Co. M. 5th Mich Cavalry. To J. Brinkenhoff”. Skeels would lose his life on the 19th of August, 1864, at Berryville, Virginia, while the regiment was taking part in Sheridan’s Shenandoah Valley Campaign when they were attacked by a band of guerrillas. His cousin John Brikenhoff, who Skeels presented the image too, was himself a victim of the war. Enlisting in the 75th New York Infantry, John would succumb to disease on September 30, 1863. This image was at one time part of a larger image grouping which included two images of his cousin John. Unfortunately they were split apart, although I do have scans of those photo’s which will be included. There is a horizontal crease in this image which crosses right at knee height. Additionally, the original ink inscription on the reverse written by Skeels was later wrote over in darker ink by a family member. The original ink inscription is however clearly visible when viewing the card. Incredibly rare carte!
