Figure 1.-- Here we have a 1/6th plate ambrotype dated July 13, 1861. Identified and dated on back of image. It shows Walter R. Conant holding a large American flag and perhaps the legs of the photographer's head rest stand behind him. He wears a hat, white shirt under an open front, bell sleeved cut-away jacket and long woolen pants.

Here we have a 1/6th plate ambrotype dated July 13, 1861. Identified and dated on back of image. It shows a boy holding a large American flag and perhaps the legs of the photographer's head rest stand behind him. He wears a hat, white shirt under an open front, bell sleeved cut-away jacket and long woolen pants. In pencil, on the paper behind the image is written, 'Taken At Camp Cameron July 13th 1861 Age 6 yrs 7 months Walter R. Conant' . Camp Cameron was near Washington, DC (Georgetown) and was the encampment of the 7th Regiment NY State Militia (I've seen them referred to as the 'Steuben Guard'). Date of photo was the day after a battle for the regiment near 'Baker Lee's Farm' where 3 were wounded and 11 were reported missing. Case measures 3-3/16x3-11/16", pressed leather. Front cover of case is missing, brass preserver shows numerous bends, small crack at outside corner.

Family

We believe that Walter's father may have been John F. Connant who in 1860 was living in Somerville which was in Middlesex County, Massachusetts. This was the only reference to a Walter R. Conant in the U.S. 1860 Census and the age matches. The fact that the father could afford to have an ambrotype made of his son suggests that he was well to do.

Walter

All we have to go on is the portrait here, but walter who was 6 years old must have been fascinated by his trip to Washington. People did not travel at the time like they do now. This well may have been his first long trip. And then to visit a military camp must have been very exiting. Washington at the time was a very small place anf by July was cramed with soldiers. Any boy would have been transfixed by the experience.

New York Regiment

We do not understand, however, why his father was in a New York regiment. Presumably he was an officer of some importance because he brought his family to Washington. As to why the father who was from Massachusetts joined a New York regiment a reader suggests that perhaps his father was not in the army and they were visiting a family member. "Odds are that he was visiting a family member who was stationed at the camp where his picture was taken. The Head-of-Household listed in the 1860 census record for Walter was John F. Conant. I assume that was Walter's dad, but that's not certain since it could have just as easily been an uncle. I searched Ancestry.com's Civil War records and did not find a John F. Conant from Massachusetts listed. (There were a few listed, but not from Massachusetts and one was buried in a Tennesseee Civil War cemetary.) He could have been visiting another relative who didn't have the same last name."

Ambrotype

Here we have a 1/6th plate ambrotype dated July 13, 1861. Identified and dated on back of image. It shows a boy holding a large American flag and perhaps the legs of the photographer's head rest stand behind him. In pencil, on the paper behind the image is written, 'Taken At Camp Cameron July 13th 1861 Age 6 yrs 7 months Walter R. Conant' Case measures 3-3/16x3-11/16", pressed leather. Front cover of case is missing, brass preserver shows numerous bends, small crack at outside corner.

Clothing

Walter wears a round hat, white shirt under an open front, bell sleeved cut-away jacket and long woolen pants. These rounded hats with modest brims were a popular styles for the boys at the time. We note boys during the Civil War wearing different kind of pants with these cut-away jackets, both long kneepants and bloomer knickers. Also notice the small collar and stock/bow.

Camp Cameron

Camp Cameron was near Washington, DC (Georgetown) and was the encampment of the 7th Regiment New York State Militia (I've seen them referred to as the 'Steuben Guard'). Date of photo was the day after a battle for the regiment near 'Baker Lee's Farm' where 3 were wounded and 11 were reported missing.

Civil War Overview

Abraham Lincoln was elected as a result of a divided election (November 1860). South Carolina succeeded from the Union (December 1860) and other Deep South sates followed. Lincoln arrived in Washington, D.C. for his inagurationl (March 1861). At the time there was virtually no U.S. Army. The pre-War Army had been very small and was largely deployed in the West dealing with Native Americans. And that small force lost a substantial portion with the resignation of southerners to join their home states. The War began with the firing on Fort Sumter (April 1861). At the time there was virtually no Federal military force defending Washington and of course Virginia and Condfederate forces were located just across the Potomac in Virginia. State militia units like the 7th Regiment were rushed south to protect Washington. The Federal Government proceeded to build a ring of forts around Washington, but at the time Walter had his picture taken, this was just beginning. Walter's picture was taken just a week before the first major battle of the War--the First Battle of Bull Run (Manasas) (July 21, 1861).

Created: 1:47 AM 10/24/2005
Last updated: 1:47 AM 10/24/2005