Description
Exceptional carte view of an unidentified officer of the 14th Brooklyn, otherwise referred to as the 84th New York Infantry. This well dressed officer wears the rank of captain while sporting a script “NY” waist belt. His cap is worn with embroidered infantry insignia of the front of the cap along with the numeral “84”. We do know that he was in fact a member of the 14th Brooklyn as another photo of this same gentleman exists, dressed in the unmistakable uniform that the famed 14th Brooklyn. Unfortunately, that photo is not identified either. Known as the “Red Legged Devil’s”, they would receive the nickname, the “Red Legged Devils”, during the First battle of Bull Run. Referring to the regiment’s colorful red trousers as the regiment repeatedly charged up Henry House Hill, Confederate General Stonewall Jackson yelled to his men, “Hold on Boys! Here come those red legged devils again!”. While the vast majority of officers from this regiment are documented, this fellow has somehow managed to remain anonymous. His rather extravagant lambchop side burns may in fact help lead to his identity in the future. I have thus far came up empty handed. Wonderful image from one of the war’s most well known units.
