Posted 11 years ago
scottvez
(977 items)
Civil War CDV image of a true hero.
Jonathan Prince Cilley, was a young lawyer when he became the first soldier to enlist in the 1st Maine Cavalry. Because of his zealous patriotism in raising a company, he was comissioned a Captain in Co. B.
During the course of the War, he was wounded several times and promoted.
Eventually he was given command of the 1st ME Cavalry! Towards the end of the war he received a brevet promotion to Brigadier General.
This particular image shows a young Cilley after suffering a serious wound at Middleton, VA in MAY of 1862. Initial reports were that he had been killed, while in fact he had survived and was being held by Confederate forces. He was released by the Confederacy and sent home to convalesce. While home, Cilley had this photograph taken. He wears the shoulder boards of a Major, while still wearing the single breast frock coat of a company grade officer.
Reproduction of these images in any form is prohibited.
scott
See link for a fantastic article that describes JP Cilley's battlefield heroics and "death" from a Confederate cannonball:
https://bangordailynews.com/2012/05/27/living/confederate-cannonball-killed-thomaston-cavalryman-in-virginia/
2 short quotes from article:
"Then Cilley “was struck by a shell which nearly severed his right arm, leaving only a partial connection of skin” and bone, investigator Archibald Spalding later informed Maine Gov. Israel Washburn."
"The explosion hurled Cilley from his horse “in much the deliberate manner in which a squirrel falls to the ground when shot,” recalled trooper Edward Tobie, who later wrote “History of the First Maine Cavalry, 1861-165.”"
scott
Thanks for looking buss.
scott
Interesting article, thanks for sharing.
Thanks david-- Cilley has a great story. His family is equally interesting and includes a duel his father was involved in.
scott
Thanks much moonstone and Happy New Year!
scott
My 3 x Great Grandfather was involved in a duel & received a grazing shot to the ribs, the other fellow wasn't so lucky.
Interesting david!
Cilley's father, a ME Congressman and Democrat, was killed in a duel in 1838 by a KY Congressman (and Whig) named Graves.
It is really amazing to think that Members of Congress would resort to duels as late as the 1830s!
scott
That would make politics more interesting!
Thanks for looking vetraio!
scott
Thanks for looking tom!
scott
Thanks for looking moonstone!
scott
Thanks for looking packrat!
scott
Thanks for looking treasures-- if you are a fan of antique photographs or Civil War, be sure to take a look at my other items posted on Collectors Weekly!
scott
Thanks for looking tlmbaran!
scott