Rare Group of Identified Images to Include Two of a Young Enslaved Woman Holding a Child, the Child’s Father (Confederate Soldier) and Postwar CDV of the Child

Rare Group of Identified Images to Include Two of a Young Enslaved Woman Holding a Child, the Child’s Father (Confederate Soldier) and Postwar CDV of the Child – This rare, identified grouping was discovered in an 18^th century house in Amelia County, Virginia. The former owner of this house, from whom we obtained the images, was a direct descendant of the child and her father, depicted in the image; their identity is known, although the attractive, well-attired, enslaved woman holding the child is unknown. All of the images, with the exception of the postwar CDV, are daguerreotypes. The child in both images, one a sixth plate (in its original, full case) and the other a ninth plate (in its original half case) is Ella Lee Blanton, born in 1858; the CDV, taken by C.R. Rees, then in Petersburg, depicts Ella Lee Blanton, in 1874, housed in a quarter plate, pre-Civil War, full case; the gentleman, depicted in a ninth plate image (housed in its original half case) is her father, Robert Willis Blanton – he would join Co. G of the 1^st Virginia Cavalry, at Amelia Courthouse, in 1861. He served throughout the war with the 1^st Va. Cavalry and was engaged at multiple, significant wartime battles, to include Second Manassas, Sharpsburg, Fredericksburg, Kelly’s Ford, Chancellorsville, Brandy Station Gettysburg, Bristoe Station, The Wilderness, Todd’s Tavern, Spotsylvania, Cold Harbor, Bethesda Church, Petersburg and activities in the Shenandoah Valley. Blanton was paroled at Appomattox, on April 15, 1865. The Blanton house was called “Locust Level”; the house remains standing today, not far from Tabernacle Church, where a brief skirmish occurred a few days prior to the Battle of Sailor’s Creek. Robert Blanton is interred at Tabernacle Church. All of these images have been kept together since the end of the Civil War, by the descendants. The images are in overall good condition, with some tarnishing, although the resolution remains excellent. This group of images are socio-culturally significant; images of enslaved African-Americans, with their owner’s children, are quite rare.

Robert W. Blanton, Sr

1st VA Cavalry

1st Regiment, Virginia Cavalry

OVERVIEW:

1st Cavalry Regiment completed its organization at Winchester, Virginia, in July, 1861. Unlike most regiments, the 1st contained twelve companies. The men were from the counties of Frederick, Berkeley, Rockbridge, Clarke, Washington, Augusta, Jefferson, Amelia, Loudoun, Rockingham, and Gloucester. After taking part in the Battle of First Manassas, the unit was brigaded under Generals J.E.B. Stuart, F. Lee, Wickham, and Munford. It participated in more than 200 engagements of various types including the Seven Days’ Battles and Stuart’s ride around McClellan. The regiment was active in the conflicts at Gainesville, Second Manassas, Sharpsburg, Fredericksburg, Kelly’s Ford, Chancellorsville, Brandy Station, Gettysburg, Bristoe Station, The Wilderness, Todd’s Tavern, Spotsylvania, Bethesda Church, and Cold Harbor. Later it was involved in Early’s operations in the Shenandoah Valley, the defense of Petersburg, and the Appomattox Campaign. In April, 1862, it totalled 437 men, lost eight percent of the 310 engaged at Gettysburg, and had 318 fit for duty in September, 1864. The cavalry cut through the Federal lines at Appomattox and later disbanded. Only 1 man from this unit were present at the surrender. The field officers were Colonels R. Welby Carter, James H. Drake, William E. Jones, Fitzhugh Lee, William A. Morgan, and James E.B. Stuart; Lieutenant Colonels L. Tiernan Brien and Charles R. Irving; and Major Robert Swan.