Captain Samuel English, 2nd Rhode Island Infantry Paired CDVs with Wife, Lucy B. English / SOLD

Description

Captain Samuel English, 2nd Rhode Island Infantry

Paired CDVs with Wife, Lucy B. English

 

Frank Howell, 25 Westminster Street, Providence, Rhode Island

A wonderful and highly desirable Civil War CDV pair featuring Captain Samuel English of the 2nd Rhode Island Infantry together with a companion image of his wife, Mrs. Lucy B. English. Both photographs were taken by noted Providence photographer Frank Howell, whose studio imprint appears on the mounts at 25 Westminster Street.

 

Captain English is shown in a full-standing studio portrait wearing his regulation Union officer’s frock coat with shoulder straps and officer’s sword held at his side. His confident stance beside a classical studio column is characteristic of mid-war officer portraiture. The sword, sash, and formal pose project both rank and pride in service. As an officer of the 2nd Rhode Island Infantry, English served with the Army of the Potomac and was engaged in some of the war’s most consequential battles, including Gettysburg, where the regiment suffered heavily in the fierce fighting of July 2, 1863, during the III Corps action near the Peach Orchard and Cemetery Ridge.

 

Accompanying his image is a beautifully composed CDV of Mrs. Lucy B. English, dressed in an elegant, patterned day dress with wide skirt and period hairstyle, posed with studio chair. Husband-and-wife Civil War CDV pairings are scarce, and survival together adds significant historical and emotional depth to the grouping. These companion images offer a powerful visual reminder of the personal side of military service — the officer at war and the family at home.

 

Both images retain strong contrast and pleasing sepia tone, presented in archival matting. A fine Rhode Island officer pairing with direct Gettysburg association and strong visual appeal.

 

Inventory Number: CDV 597