A focused grouping of 5 period CDVs and one CDV-mounted tintype documenting members of the 1st District of Columbia Cavalry [ca. 1863-4]. Known as Baker’s Rangers, this unit was uniquely equipped and saw intense action in the Eastern Theater. The collection includes high-quality sittings from prominent Washington, D.C., and Maine galleries, reflecting the regiment's heavy recruitment from the Pine Tree State.

The lot includes: 

1. Cavalryman tintype (Top Left): A full-length tintype in a paper mount by A. C. Lewis of Portland, Maine. The subject is shown in a short shell jacket and high boots, a quintessential Maine recruit for the D.C. unit.

2. Trooper leaning on Balustrade (Top Center): A full-length study by Bell & Brother of Washington, D.C. Identified on the reverse as belonging to Co. D, 1st D.C. Cavalry. He holds a slouch hat with crossed-saber insignia and wears tall cavalry boots.

3. Edwin B. Lawson (Top Right): A vignetted bust study by Jno. Holyland of Washington, D.C. Lawson is identified on the reverse. The Holyland backmark is well-preserved and indicative of a high-status D.C. sitting.

4. Edwin B. Lawson in Field Gear (Bottom Left): A second view of Lawson, shown full-length in a shell jacket and light-colored trousers. The reverse features his full signature and the notation "Respectfully Yours."

5. J. W. Loudon (Bottom Center): A standing portrait by S. W. Sawyer of Bangor, Maine. Identified on the reverse as "J. W. Loudon, Co. D, 1st Maine Cav. / 1st D.C. Cav." This image documents the transfer of Maine men into Baker’s Rangers. The notation includes details regarding his service at Powhatan Station.

6. Identified Trooper (Bottom Right): A full-length study by Bell & Brother. The reverse identifies the subject as belonging to the 1st D.C. Cavalry and the 1st Maine Cavalry, Co. F. This confirms the integrated nature of these two elite mounted units.

This lot provides a comprehensive visual survey of the specialized equipment of the 1st D.C. Cavalry. The troopers are consistently depicted in the short shell jackets preferred by mounted units, with several subjects showcasing the high boots and slouch hats that defined the unit's field appearance. The use of both Maine and D.C. galleries illustrates the geographic journey of these recruits, from their initial muster in Portland and Bangor to their active service in the nation's capital.

The 1st D.C. Cavalry was one of the most unique units in the Union army. Originally organized by Lafayette C. Baker for anti-guerrilla and provost duty, it was eventually armed with the Henry Repeating Rifle, making the regiment one of the most formidable skirmishing forces in the field. These images represent the "Maine Battalion" of the regiment, which eventually merged with the 1st Maine Cavalry. Images of men who served in this unit are frustratingly scarce, and were a personal favorite of Rick Carlile.  

[Civil War, Union, Confederate] [Photography, Early Photography, Historic Photography, Daguerreotypes, Ambrotypes, Tintypes, Cased Images, Union Cases, Albumen Photographs, CDVs, Carte de Visites, Cartes de Visite, Carte-de-visite, Cartes-de-visite, CDV, Cabinet Cards, Stereoviews, Stereocards]

Tonal quality remains strong across the grouping, with the tintype and Bell & Brother sittings showing particularly fine detail. Mounts show typical age-related toning.