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Large Civil War Albumen Photo- 8th NY Militia Large Civil War Albumen Photograph of the 8th NY Milit

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:1.00 USD Estimated At:700.00 - 900.00 USD
Large Civil War Albumen Photo- 8th NY Militia Large Civil War Albumen Photograph of the 8th NY Milit
<B>Large Civil War Albumen Photograph of the 8th NY Militia</B></I> at their Arlington Heights camp in 1861. The fall of Fort Sumter on April 14, 1861, started the Civil War. Within the next few days, President Lincoln issued a call for 75,000 troops and offered Robert E. Lee, a resident of Virginia, the command of the Union Army. Lee was personally against secession, which he described as "nothing but revolution," however, loyalty to his native state caused him to join the Confederacy. He left his home at Arlington House for the last time on April 22, 1861, and accepted command of the Virginia forces in Richmond on the 23rd. The first Union troops crossed the Potomac River into Virginia on May 24th and eight regiments took up positions there. One of these, the 8th New York State Militia under General Charles W. Sanford, established their headquarters at Arlington House. This photo was most probably taken during this period of time. This amazing 17" x 11" photo pictures their camp with a dozen Union soldiers standing with their rifles among the tents. Just behind them, sitting next to a tree, is a black man. This historical photo is in generally fine condition with some light discoloration, fading, and roughness around the edges that are unevenly cut. The soldiers' images, however, are sharp and clean with good contrast. Mounted to a larger sheet.