Collection of 6 studio portrait albumen CDVs. New York: various photographers including Holmes' Park Gallery, M. H. Kimball, Anson's and Whitney's, [ca. 1861-5]. Period ink and pencil identifications to mount versos and rectos read: "Erasmus C. Gilbreath," "Adjt. Jno. E. Sweet" and "Fraternally Yours / Orpheus Everts."

The 20th Indiana Infantry was one of the most storied and hard-fighting regiments in the Army of the Potomac. It was one of several units to catch Rick Carlile's eye while he was building his legendary collection, likely due to its staggering combat record. Recruited primarily from the northern counties of Indiana, the regiment served in nearly every major engagement in the Eastern Theater, from the Peninsula Campaign to the final surrenders at Appomattox. This second lot of 20th Indiana images provides further depth to the regiment's high-level command and medical staff.

The lot includes the following six CDVs:

1. Erasmus C. Gilbreath: A vignetted bust study by Whitney's. Gilbreath was a standout officer who rose from the ranks to lead the regiment. He was famously wounded at Gettysburg while fighting in the Wheatfield and later authored a detailed memoir of the regiment's service.

2. Adjutant John E. Sweet: A vignetted bust study by Anson's. Identified on the recto, Sweet served in the critical role of regimental Adjutant, managing the complex administrative and tactical communications of the unit during the 1864 campaigns.

3. Surgeon Orpheus Everts: A vignetted bust study with a bold, flourish-filled ink signature on the recto. Everts was the primary surgeon of the 20th Indiana and was responsible for the regimental hospitals through the war's most intense slaughter, including the Seven Days and Gettysburg.

4. Unidentified Officer in Frock Coat: A full-length study by Holmes' Park Gallery. This officer is shown in a standard nine-button frock coat with his hand resting on a pedestal.

5. Seated Officer with Goatee: A full-length study by Holmes' Park Gallery showing an officer in a relaxed pose with his hand on his knee, wearing captain's shoulder straps.

6. Standing Officer by Kimball: A full-length study by M. H. Kimball. The subject is shown in full officer's uniform, including a sword belt and forage cap held at his side.

A compelling feature of this lot is the concentration of New York City imprints, particularly from the Broadway galleries. These images likely date to the regiment's transit through New York or during the periods in 1863 when the 20th Indiana was famously sent to the city to help restore order following the Draft Riots. This grouping offers a premier look at the men who managed the health and leadership of this veteran Indiana unit. 

[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 images are in generally good to excellent condition, featuring strong tonal contrast and sharp detail across the subjects. The Everts image features a distinctive arched top. The albumen surfaces are well-preserved with typical minor age-related toning, and the period identifications remain clear and legible.