Description
Splendid carte view of Thomas Whittaker of the 20th Pennsylvania Cavalry. Initially, Thomas would muster into “C” Company of the 125th Pennsylvania Infantry in August, 1862. A nine month regiment, they would be hotly engaged at Antietam with the loss of 150 men including 5 color bearers who would be killed during the fight. The men would also take part in the infamous “Mud March” and take an active role in the fight at Chancellorsville before mustering out of service at Harrisburg in May, 1863. With Lee’s invasion northward, the 20th Pennsylvania Cavalry was hastily raised in Harrisburg beginning in June. Thomas would serve with the regiment until October of that year. He is shown here dressed in a cavalry jacket with a M1858 Hardee hat resting on the table beside him. Brass cavalry insignia is visible pinned to the front. His corduroy trousers give evidence of the short fall of military clothing available for these rapidly raised regiments in defense of Lee’s invasion. A M1851 eagle waist belt is worn with the holster for the Colt revolver which lays on the table, visible on his hip while gripping his sword. A post war view of Thomas is shown in the regimental history. Really neat view. Back marked out of Harrisburg where the regiment was raised.
