Mail call

I still can't believe this but I just solved the mystery of "Lt. Rogers" in the MarchApril issue ("An Obstinate Yankee Officer...Or, Will the real Lt. Rogers please stand up?" by Michael Hammerson, pp. 22-23). 1 was in a shop in Easton, Maryland -- Camelot Antiques -- and saw the identical photo (although a large oil-painted albumen enlargement) of the elusive Lt. Rogers for sale. The neat part is, it was identified as Lt. Philip Clayton Rogers, of the 55th N.Y. Inf. and later of Co. H, 39th New York Infantry. The shop wanted $600 for the painted photo in its beautiful, original gilt frame. And yes, they do ship overseas!

Paul Russinoff Baltimore, Maryland

GARDNER'S ANTIETAM PHOTOS Editor:

Mr. Kalasky's digital layering technique is an exciting new approach to analyzing previously unknown photo locations. Enclosed [see below] is a copy of Gardner's Antietam view #550 that clearly shows Elk Ridge in the background -- compare it to Kalasky's modern view in the previous issue. The locations are nearly identical. Moving forward into the site may correct the impression that the cornstalks in the original view are too tall for Mr. Kalasky's site.

Why does Elk Ridge not appear in the Library of Congress copy of this view? It may have been blocked out in the darkroom for reasons we can only speculate. A surviving glass negative of Gardner's Antietam view #560 has craft paper glued over the sky portion. Perhaps this was done during halftone production for Miller's Photographic History in 1911.

By the way, in every published treatment of #550, to this writer's knowledge, no one has mentioned that the individual in the left foreground may bc missing his right foot. Marc C. Daniels Barnesville, Pennsylvania

Editor:

Bravo to Robert Kalasky for locating the sites of Alexander Gardner's two "unknown" Antietam views [May-June '99]. It was a masterpiece of digital detective work and, I suspect, natural intuition.

George W. Halbedl Washington, D.C.

ILLINOIS PRUSSIANS Editor:

A question on Dr. Johnson's "Stragglers" in the May-June issue. The soldiers armed with Prussian conversion muskets -- are they wearing the so-called "Illinois" jackets issued early in the war by that state?

Many Illinois regiments were issued Prussian muskets, including the 7th, 8th, 18th, 36th, 51 st, 63rd, 73rd, 81 st, 101 st and 103rd. The 63rd Illinois still retained some as late as 1863. I would be interested in what the uniform guys think.

Ken Baumann Milan, Michigan

Our #1 Uniform Guy, Mike McAfee: "It is certainly possible that they, are from Illinois, but some regiments from Ohio, Indiana and other midwestern states also received the New York-style jacket."

A LIFE IN UNIFORM, II

Editor:

I am writing concerning the badges [of James Reagles] that are pictured on page 23 of the current May-June issue. The figure on the oval badge in not a "cavalier" but rather a "Knickerbocker," one of the Dutch residents of early New York. It was the official departmental membership badge of the G.A.R.'s Department of New York. These optional badges allowed members to display their departmental affiliation at national encampments.

The G.A.R. badge is just that, a badge, not a "medal." The government awards medals. Badges are purchased. By the way, Reagles's ribbon is non-regulation. The older version of the ribbons were either solid blue, red or buff. Later ribbons were flag ribbons with a '/4 inch blue, red or buff edge stripe. It appears that in the photo of him the ribbon is red, white and blue striped, indicating a non-regulation replacement.

Rance Hulshart York, Pennsylvania

FORT DELAWARE DEATH PEN

Editor:

How could Darden be appointed regimental Q.M. on November 1, 1862 if he was wounded at Antietam on September 17, 1862 and confined in the Old Capitol Prison in Washington until paroled in April of 1863? Richard Plotts

Newtown Square, Pennsylvania

Easy! A befuddled magazine editor simply types "1862" instead of Sgt. Darden's actual promotion date of 1861. Our apologies to Sgt. Darden and Mr. Plotts for the typographical error.

UNITED TURNER RIFLES

Editor:

A friend recently sent me a copy of your article about the 20th New York Volunteer Infantry. I enjoyed reading it, as I have been doing some research about that unit. My great uncle Frederick Dockendorf was a private in Company I and was part of the infamous mutiny. You may be interested to know that the men were not pardoned by President Lincoln. In fact, they were not pardoned until 1905 by an Act of Congress. Fred did not receive his pension until he was officially pardoned; he had applied more than five times and was denied it because he had been found guilty of mutiny.

Margaret Testa via e-mail

DANDY 7th N.Y.S.M. Editor:

I believe I can identify one of the images in David O'Reilly's article on the 7th NYSM [March-April '99]. In the top center image on page 35, the man on the left is Gorham Coffin Taylor, Master's Mate of U.S. gunboat Sciota. Taylor was awarded a captured Confederate sword by Farragut for his gallantry in action against the Rebel gunboat Resolute [a.k.a. Oriziba] at New Orleans, April 24, 1862. Taylor was from New York City. The man on the right is Gorham Taylor's brother; his name escapes me. Both were sons of Asher Taylor.