Description
Carte view identified as Captain George V. Moody, who commanded a battery of artillery, Louisiana’s “Madison Light Artillery,” during the Civil War. Moody would graduate from the Harvard Law School in 1842. Following his graduation, he would promptly headed to Port Gibson, Miss., where he secured office space across from the Claiborne County Courthouse. Moody would accrue a reputation as a forceful presence in the courtroom—fiery behavior that at one point provoked six locals enough to attempt to assassinate him. Chased through town, Moody somehow managed to evade their shotgun blasts by racing through several local businesses and churches that lined Port Gibson’s roadways. When Mississippi and neighboring Louisiana seceded from the Union in January 1861, the 45-year-old Moody decided to try his hand as a soldier, organizing an infantry company from Port Gibson and parishes across the river in Louisiana. Once the company had been completed, they embarked on a lengthy train ride to Lynchburg, Va., where it was mustered into Confederate service. On August 23, Moody’s unit was transferred to the artillery and took the name Madison Louisiana Light Tipperarys Battery. Transferred to the state fairgrounds in Richmond to complete their organization, they began training with two 12-pounder howitzers, two 3-inch rifles, and two 6-pounder smoothbores. Moody would command the battery as their captain. The battery would see service in a number of battles while in the Army of Northern Virginia, including Antietam and Gettysburg. “Moody’s Battery” fought valiantly at Gettysburg under Moody’s command, suffering heavy losses. A plaque is placed on the field commemorating their service on the battlefield. He would also draw praise during the Battle of Antietam from Brig. Gen. Richard B. Garnett for his aid with his “200 men and two rifled pieces during the Miller Cornfield fighting.” Garnett noted that his infantry held its precarious position “partly due to the brave and energetic manner in which [Moody’s Battery] was handled.” A South Carolina brigade commander also offered commendations for Moody’s “skill, daring and endurance.” as did Colonel Stephen Lee. He was ill on the Knoxville campaign following the regiments transfer to Tennessee and was left behind when the army retreated. He was captured, exchanged, captured again, and was POW at Camp Chase near Chicago to the end of the War. The former captain would return to Port Gibson following the war only to be killed in 1866. The fiery disposition that nearly got him killed early in his career continued to follow him post war. He would be shot in the back by an assailant armed with a shotgun as he sat at his desk. This view shows Moody dressed in his captains uniform with an inscription reading “Col. G. V. Moody” across the front bottom. Unusually, the view of Moody in uniform has a Delaware photographer’s backmark. This is likely connected to his wife, who hailed from that state. The other 9 images in this group are predominantly of children, perhaps relatives. All photos are in good to very good condition, including the image of Moody himself, which is excellent. Rare and hard to find view of this very hard fighting and capable commander.
Unusually, the view of Moody in uniform has a Delaware photographer’s backmark. This is likely connected to his wife, who hailed from that state. The other 9 images in this group are predominantly of children, perhaps relatives. All photos are in good to very good condition, including the image of Moody himself, which is excellent.
