Unknown Civil War Soldier
Does anyone recognize this man? I think he is a Crabtree, possibly James Crabtree, son of Richard and Mary Giggey Crabtree.
Does anyone recognize this man? I think he is a Crabtree, possibly James Crabtree, son of Richard and Mary Giggey Crabtree.
December 23rd, 2012 at 9:14 am
James Crabtree is my great-great-grandfather. He was a Sargent in the Mexican-American War (source: http://www.migenweb.org/newaygo/1884bios/crabtreej.html) and later re-enlisted as a Private, in Company A, 10th Regiment, Michigan Cavalry (source: Civil War Solider and Sailors System (CWSSS) Film Number: M545 roll 9).
The uniform in this picture is that of an Mexican-American War era foot solider, not that of a Civil War cavalryman. James was 33 when the Mexican-American War started and 48 when the Civil War started. If picture is of James Crabtree then it is from his Mexican-American War service based his rank, age and uniform.
December 23rd, 2012 at 9:54 am
Hello Stephen,
Thank you so much for your comment. It is super to hear from James Crabtree’s great-great-grandson.
My second cousin Cal and I tried to figure who this soldier was back in 2005 when I was writing my book, “Grandma and Me.” The photo was labeled “Crabtree Brother.”
The short story is that in the last couple of years I have found out from a relative of James that this is not a photo of James Crabtree. But we still don’t know who he was.
At the time we thought that the soldier probably was related to Sarah, Rachel or Arnold Crabtree. We narrowed it down to James because we knew he was a Sergeant in the Mexican War, and thought that possibly he had donned his old uniform to fight in the Civil War, even though he was 48.
James Crabtree fought in the Civil War as a private. http://www.michiganinthewar.org/cavalry/10cava.htm
But again as I mentioned, the latest I information I have is that this is not James Crabtree.
If you go to the Grandma and Me link up on the right, click on Chapter 2 in part 4 for what I have on the family of Richard and Mary Crabtree. I hope what I have about James is correct.
The now incorrect chapter about James is Chapter 5: Mystery Soldier in Part IV.
December 24th, 2012 at 8:31 am
Thanks! You and your book have provided many insights into my Mother’s family.
July 18th, 2019 at 7:34 pm
The US Army used this style dress uniform throughout the Civil War. This one is likely an infantry uniform, the stripes of which would be light blue.
In addition, my copy of this portrait is an ambrotype which would mean it was with NO doubt NOT a Mexican War era photo. I stand by the identification of it as John Crabtree, who was killed at Murfreesboro in early 1863.