![[Civil War] Black, James W. (1825 - 1896) Rare Photograph of Black Regiment Drummer](http://www.schubertiademusic.com/cdn/shop/files/Civil_War_Drummer_Photo113.jpg?v=1722186769)
[Civil War] Black, James W. (1825 - 1896). Rare Photograph of Black Regiment Drummer. Original CDV photograph by the important early American photographer, J.W. Black. In fine condition, with the photographer's 173 Washington St., Boston imprint on the verso. A highly unusual image of an African-American man in uniform, seated on the ground with legs splayed apart, mallet raised in his right hand with his arm obscuring his face, and a large drum resting at his feet. A visually striking image of an unusually candid and impromptu pose, seldom seen in this early photographic medium.
The subject appears to be a drummer from the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment, a regiment that was one of the first official black units in the United States armed forces and which saw extensive federal service in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Frederick Douglass helped to bring African American troops to the Union Army, and his good relationship with President Lincoln helped convince the President to make emancipation a cause of the Civil War. Two of Douglass' sons served in the 54th Massachusetts Regiment, which was made up entirely of African American volunteers and was commanded by Colonel Robert Gould Shaw.
The subject appears to be a drummer from the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment, a regiment that was one of the first official black units in the United States armed forces and which saw extensive federal service in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Frederick Douglass helped to bring African American troops to the Union Army, and his good relationship with President Lincoln helped convince the President to make emancipation a cause of the Civil War. Two of Douglass' sons served in the 54th Massachusetts Regiment, which was made up entirely of African American volunteers and was commanded by Colonel Robert Gould Shaw.
[Civil War] Black, James W. (1825 - 1896). Rare Photograph of Black Regiment Drummer. Original CDV photograph by the important early American photographer, J.W. Black. In fine condition, with the photographer's 173 Washington St., Boston imprint on the verso. A highly unusual image of an African-American man in uniform, seated on the ground with legs splayed apart, mallet raised in his right hand with his arm obscuring his face, and a large drum resting at his feet. A visually striking image of an unusually candid and impromptu pose, seldom seen in this early photographic medium.
The subject appears to be a drummer from the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment, a regiment that was one of the first official black units in the United States armed forces and which saw extensive federal service in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Frederick Douglass helped to bring African American troops to the Union Army, and his good relationship with President Lincoln helped convince the President to make emancipation a cause of the Civil War. Two of Douglass' sons served in the 54th Massachusetts Regiment, which was made up entirely of African American volunteers and was commanded by Colonel Robert Gould Shaw.
The subject appears to be a drummer from the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment, a regiment that was one of the first official black units in the United States armed forces and which saw extensive federal service in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Frederick Douglass helped to bring African American troops to the Union Army, and his good relationship with President Lincoln helped convince the President to make emancipation a cause of the Civil War. Two of Douglass' sons served in the 54th Massachusetts Regiment, which was made up entirely of African American volunteers and was commanded by Colonel Robert Gould Shaw.