An exceptional identified pairing of two albumen CDVs documenting the rapid rise and tragic end of one of Massachusetts’ most promising young officers. [ca. 1861–1864].

John Hodges, Jr. (1841–1864) was a native of Salem, Massachusetts, who began his impressive Civil War service with the "Salem Zouaves" (Co. I, 8th Mass) in 1861. He was soon commissioned into the officer corps of the 19th Massachusetts and later climbed to the rank of Major in the 50th Massachusetts. His career culminated with an appointment as Lieutenant Colonel of the 59th Massachusetts Infantry. On 30 July 1864, during the Battle of the Crater at Petersburg, Hodges was killed in action while leading his men into the chaos of the mine explosion's aftermath. His death at the age of 23 was a significant loss to the IX Corps leadership.

This lot includes two CDVs of Hodges, specifically: 

• The Early Volunteer (Right): A full-length portrait by Charles D. Fredricks & Co., New York. Verso bears the gallery backmark and period pencil identification "John Hodges" as a member of the Salem Zouaves - 8th Mass. He is shown in the distinctive short jacket and forage cap of the early-war Zouave volunteer, a look that defined the Bay State's "Minute Men of '61."

• The Field Commander (Left): A seated portrait by R. A. Lewis, New York. Verso bears a 2-cent blue proprietary revenue stamp and research identification as "Lt. Col. John Hodges Jr. / 19th Mass / 54th [sic] Mass / KIA Petersburg." He is depicted in a tailored officer’s frock coat and high cavalry-style boots, reflecting his status as a high-ranking field officer.

Hodges is a quintessential example of the "Citizen Soldier" who evolved into a professional commander through the sheer attrition of the Eastern Theater. His death at the Crater—one of the Union’s most disastrous and controversial tactical failures—makes this pair of images an intriguing research opportunity. 

[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, Stereographs] [Civil War, Union, Confederate]

Tonal range is strong on both cards. The Fredricks mount has slightly rounded corners, while the Lewis mount is crisp with a well-preserved revenue stamp.