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March 1865. "Washington, District of Columbia. 1st U.S. Volunteer Infantry. Hancock's Veteran Corps on F Street N.W." Wet plate negative, photographer un- known. Library of Congress Civil War glass negative collection. View full size.
The black lady in the hoop skirt is further evidence that at least freedwomen tried to be as fashionable as they could. Including wearing a Shaker bonnet. The black lady behind her is dressed in a style more typical of working class women. She appears to be wearing either a corded sunbonnet folded back or a headcloth.
30 to 60 seconds depending on the light.
As a former reenactor, I've been part of some unit shots done by a daguerreotypist who did images on the glass plates.
[Daguerreotypes (which create a positive image on sensitized metal) and glass plates (which use a photographic emulsion to make a negative image) have nothing in common. Exposure time for a glass negative in sunlight would be a few seconds at the most. - Dave]
What would the exposure time on this shot have been? I'm surprised there are not more blurred forms in such a well-peopled scene.
In 1864 an order was issued from the Adjutant's General Office, Washington, DC, for the organization of a new Army Corps to be designated as the 1st Army Veteran Corps, to be commanded by Major General Winfield Scott Hancock. The Corps was to consist of not less than 20,000 Veterans who had served 2 years in the military service of the United States and had been honorably discharged therefrom. The officers were to be commissioned from those who had honorably served not less than 2 years. A recruiting office was established at Jackson, Mi, the 3rd Congressional District, under the charge of Captain R.J. Barry.
As fast as the men enlisted they were furnished transportation to Washington, mustered into the service of the United States and credited to the sub-districts in which they or their families resided at the time of the enlistment.
What does that sign on the far left indicate? I can make out 'department' but the rest is too blurry - U.S. Saddlery???
["Q.M. Stationery Department." - Dave]
Another gorgeous Shorpy civil war shot, I've pored over it for some time, enjoying all I can see... but I keep going back to that woman standing on the right, just close to the curb. She's fascinating. Any chance of the Shorpy zoom being applied to her?
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