Sixth plate tintype studio portrait of J.L. Compton, Co. B, 8th Texas Cavalry. Half pressed paper case. Ink inscription on paper behind plate reads: "Remember the Giver / Lew Compton / 8th Texas Cavalry / Freedom or Death!"

A fine portrait of a young, identified cavalryman wearing his uniform jacket and a hat with the brim pinned up by a five-pointed star (an emblem often associated with soldiers from the "Lone Star"). Compton served for the duration of the war in one of the most effective mounted regiments in the Western Theater.

J.L. "Lew" Compton enlisted with the 8th Texas Cavalry, better known as Terry's Texas Rangers after its organizer, Benjamin Franklin Terry, the wealthy owner of a sugar plantation and slave holder. Although originally intended to serve in Virginia, they were assigned under General Albert Sydney Johnston for service in the West. Colonel Terry was killed early in a skirmish on 17 December 1861.

They were reassigned to the Army of Tennessee, led by General Braxton Bragg, where they were used as shock troops thanks to their high level of mounted shooting. The regiment would ultimately fight in nearly 275 engagements, distinguishing themselves at the Battles of Shiloh, Murfreesboro, Chattanooga, and Chickamauga.

During the Atlanta Campaign, the regiment continually harassed Sherman's army, though the Confederacy lacked the overall strength to halt his progress. Their last engagement was at the Battle of Bentonville, where they made their final charge.

They declined to surrender, however, with the rest of the Army of Tennessee, and fled south to reunite with Confederates who had yet to bend the knee. They raided a Confederate commissary on 1 May 1865 before ultimately returning to Texas, never surrendering.

A fine Texas cavalry portrait, enhanced by a sublime inscription. We have never before seen the iconic phrase "Victory or death!" inscribed by a Confederate soldier in an image case. 

Condition: remnants of hinge repair.

[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] [Texas, Republic of Texas, Sam Houston, Alamo, Texas Rangers]