Coddington, Ronald S.; Forward by Michael Fellman

Faces of the Civil War: An Album of Union Soldiers and Their Stories [carte de visite] [77 Portrait Sketches]

Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2004. First Edition, First Printing. Hardcover with Dust Jacket.

The seminal first volume in Ronald Coddington’s acclaimed 'Faces' series, recovering the lost identities of the Union rank-and-file through 19th-century photography.

While many Civil War histories focus on the high command, this work utilizes the carte de visite—the "social media" of the 1860s—to reveal the diverse backgrounds and post-war fates of the Northern soldier. From those who served with distinction to those who struggled to transition back to civilian life, these 77 biographical sketches provide a poignant, ground-level view of the federal effort.

KEY FEATURES
+++ Visuals: Features 77 high-resolution reproductions of original carte de visite portrait cards.
+++ Research: Biographical sketches compiled from military records, pension files, and primary source archives.
+++ Imprint: Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2004. [First Edition / First Printing].
+++ Specs: 8.75 inches tall / 251 pages with Chapter Notes, Bibliography, and Index.
+++ Binding: Original hardcover with a clean, protected dust jacket.

CONDITION: Fine in a Near Fine Dust Jacket -- Gift quality. The book is without flaw—internally white and crisp. The dust jacket shows only the most minimal shelf handling; it is now preserved in a new clear Mylar sleeve.

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE --
This 2004 volume launched a new genre of Civil War scholarship, proving that the anonymous faces in 19th-century photo albums could be reconnected to their historical narratives. By focusing on the 'Common Soldier,' Coddington provided a roadmap for modern researchers to utilize pension and military records as biographical tools. This volume serves as the essential companion to any Southern archive, offering the necessary perspective to complete the narrative of the war's rank-and-file.

For the researcher, it provides a vital window into the lives of the men who moved across the Southern landscape, humanizing the Federal side of the tactical maps.

SUBJECTS: American Civil War, Union Army, Military Biography, 19th Century Photography, Social History.

Item #17467

Price: $50.00