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Two Photographs of Colonel Stephen Stryker, 11th & 44th NY,

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Militaria Start Price:225.00 USD Estimated At:300.00 - 500.00 USD
Two Photographs of Colonel Stephen Stryker, 11th & 44th NY,

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Auction Date:2009 Jun 24 @ 10:00 (UTC-04:00 : AST/EDT)
Location:6270 Este Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio, 45232, United States
a CDV of the enigmatic Stryker without back mark with an identical mounted albumen autographed in ink beneath portrait, S.W. Stryker, Col. Comd 44th Reg/N.Y.S.Vol. Stryker was an early protégé of drillmaster Elmer Ellsworth and served as 1st Lieutenant in the 11th New York Fire Zouaves at Bull Run. When the shattered 11th failed to reform, a handful of patriotic former Fire Zouave officers including Stryker helped raise the elite 44th New York known as Ellsworth Avengers.

The 44th New York was known for its zealous standards with each hand-picked recruit expected to sign an oath swearing to maintain exemplary character and conduct. Stryker joined the 44th as a captain, but seems never to have been mustered at that rank (or major) before being commissioned colonel on October 12, 1861. Stryker commanded the regiment until he abruptly resigned on June 29, 1862. His departure remains something of an official mystery, but it is certain that regimental politics came into play.

Brigade commander General Martindale had just praised the 44th NY for its gallant conduct at the battle of Hanover Court House (May 27, 1862), where the New Yorkers had suffered 25% casualties. In the 44th NY regimental history, Nash offers only a perfunctory explanation on the matter commenting that Stryker had failed to meet the expectations of the regiment, its prompters and friends. Colonel Stryker lived in Chicago until 1897, but his photograph and biography are absent from the regimental history written in 1910. Stryker later became lieutenant colonel of the 18th NY Cavalry, but lasted only a year before he was dismissed on November 1, 1864. 

Condition: CDV G with light foxing and rounded corners. Albumen VG.