Id’d 1/9 Plate Ambrotype of Pvt. John J. Diggs, 26th Va. Inf.

SOLD

Id’d 1/9 Plate Ambrotype of Pvt. John J. Diggs, 26th Va. Inf. – Private Diggs enlisted, as a private, in Company D (Captain Alexander James’ company) of the 26th Virginia Infantry, at Mathews Courthouse, Va. on May 28, 1861. He was promoted to the rank of Corporal, on October 17, 1862. 26th Infantry Regiment was organized during May and June, 1861, with men recruited in the counties of Gloucester, King and Queen, and Mathews. The 26th was assigned to General Wise’s Brigade in June, 1862 and contained 31 officers and 424 men. After being involved in the Seven Days’ Battles, the unit was transferred to the Department of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. It participated in the defense of Charleston, then during the spring of 1864, the 26th returned to Virginia to participate in the Petersburg campaign; it was subsequently active in the various conflicts preceding the surrender at Appomattox. Prior to the surrender, many of the 26th’s men were captured at Sayler’s Creek and on April 9, 1865, there were only 15 officers and 81 men remaining. The field officers were Colonels Charles A. Crump and Powhatan R. Page; Lieutenant Colonel James C. Coucill and Majors Patrick H. Fitzhugh, Joshua L. Garrett, William K. Perrin, and William H. Wheelwright.

In this ambrotype, Diggs wears a Richmond Depot Jacket over a civilian vest.  His buttons have all been gilded. The image is housed in an excellent, Union case, which is dated on the paper behind the image, in the case. Both image and case remain in superior condition; the image proper is clear and sharp, and the black lacquer behind the image thick and unscratched.  John J. Diggs was one of a dozen “Diggs” who enlisted in the 26th VA.  On June 17, 1864, Private Diggs was killed in action, at Webb’s Farm, near Petersburg. According to the former owner, this image was purchased from a direct descendant of Private Diggs, who brought it to a Civil War show. This exact image is included in Volume 1 of the book Civil War Hard Images.

John J. Diggs

Residence was not listed; Enlisted on 5/28/1861 at Mathews Court House, VA as a Private. On 5/28/1861 he mustered into “D” Co. VA 26th Infantry; He was killed on 6/17/1864 at Webb’s Farm, VA.

26th Regiment, Virginia Infantry

26th Infantry Regiment was organized during May and June, 1861, with men recruited in the counties of Gloucester, King and Queen, and Mathews. The 26th was assigned to General Wise’s Brigade in June, 1862, contained 31 officers and 424 men. After being involved in the Seven Days’ Battles it was transferred to the Department of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. The unit participated in the defense of Charleston, then during the spring of 1864 returned to Virginia. Here it took its place in the Petersburg trenches and was active in various conflicts around Appomattox. Many were captured at Sayler’s Creek and on April 9, 1865, there were 15 officers and 81 men present. The field officers were Colonels Charles A. Crump and Powhatan R. Page; Lieutenant Colonel James C. Coucill; and Majors Patrick H. Fitzhugh, Joshua L. Garrett, William K. Perrin, and William H. Wheelwright.