Full-length studio portrait albumen CDV. Buffalo, New York: W. M. Knight, 194 Main St., [ca. 1862-4]. Photographer's imprint to mount recto. Research pencil identifications to mount verso read: "Sgt. Bela Burzette - 10th NY VOL CAV / (from photo in regt'l history) / KIA 10/1/1864."

This exceptional full-length portrait captures Sgt. Bela Burzette of the 10th New York Volunteer Cavalry, also known as the Porter Guard. Burzette is posed standing in a classic cavalry shell jacket, holding the scabbard of his model 1860 light cavalry saber. A slouch hat, adorned with a crossed-sabers insignia, rests prominently on the studio pedestal beside him. The image was produced by W. M. Knight of Buffalo, New York, a regional hub where many western New York volunteers were outfitted and photographed before heading to the front lines. 

Burzette served with the 10th New York Cavalry, a veteran regiment that saw extensive action with the Army of the Potomac, particularly under the command of Gen. Philip Sheridan. By the fall of 1864, the regiment was deeply engaged in the grueling Siege of Petersburg. The pencil notation on the verso confirms that Burzette was killed in action on 1 October 1864. On this date, the 10th New York Cavalry was involved in sharp fighting along the Vaughan Road during the Battle of Peebles' Farm, as Union forces attempted to extend their lines westward to cut Confederate supply routes.

This is a superb, armed full-length portrait of a 10th New York Cavalry sergeant killed in action during the Siege of Petersburg — a textbook example of the narrative-driven material that defined the Carlile collection.

[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]

The image is in very good condition, exhibiting a pleasing, slightly warm tonality that clearly delineates the details of his uniform, his sidearm belt and his cavalry saber. The albumen surface is well-preserved with minimal age-related wear.