LOCKE, DuaneABAA
Photograph: Union Army: Head Quarters Fifth Army Corps August 1862 Harrison's Landing James River Virginia
1862réf. 627309James River VA 1862. Unbound. Near Fine. Albumen photograph mounted on cardboard. The photograph is approximately 7¾" x 5" the cardboard mount is approximately 7¾" x 6". Some toning else near fine. The photograph is captioned "Head Quarters Fifth Army Corps August 1862 Harrison's Landing James River VA." There are numbers under the photograph likely referring to a corresponding list of the names of the individuals shown list not present. The U.S. National Archives holds a copy of this same photograph which is where we obtained the names of the individuals shown: Gen. Fitz John Porter Major Joseph Kirkland Colonel Locke Captain Mason Major Charles McMillen Captain John F. McQuade Major Montieth and Colonel Norton. Seated in a chair at center is Gen. Fitz John Porter who participated in the Battle of Gaines' Mill the Battle of Malvern Hill and the Second Battle of Bull Run among others. The Fifth Army Corps typically referred to as V Corps was part of the Union Army of the Potomac. This photo was taken shortly before they left Harrison's Landing which is where the men rested after the brutal Seven Days' Campaign. They left on August 14 1862 and their stay was less than pleasant. The website Emerging Civil War writes: "For the common soldiers of the Army of the Potomac leaving Harrison's Landing was a blessing. The historian of the 2nd New York Infantry described the ordeal as follows: 'The occupation of this point Harrison's Landing had been a terrible experience for the army and the Troy regiment suffered with the rest. The excessive heat bad water poor food constant exposure and lack of rest or recreation added to the disgusting experiences at Fair Oaks had rendered many of the men useless as soldiers having caused a large number of chronic disease. No less than 108 members of the regiment who but a short time before had been in perfect health were transported to hospitals the majority of them finally being discharged for disability.'" Looking at this photo you would never know the men were so miserable; three lounge in the grass one with his binoculars resting on his knee Gen. Porter sits comfortably in a chair the rest of the men are standing but appear at ease; flanking the soldiers are two African Americans the woman appears to be a servant or cook but the man may be wearing a military uniform. A very nicely executed photo of the Fifth Army Corps. at their encampment at Harrison's Landing James River VA in August of 1862. unknown books
