Processed by
David Pfeiffer
2 May 2008
Manuscript and Visual Collections Department
William Henry Smith Memorial Library
Indiana Historical Society
450 West Ohio Street
Indianapolis, IN 46202-3269
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VOLUME OF |
2 photograph albums of cartes de visites |
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COLLECTION |
1861–1865 |
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PROVENANCE: |
Robert O. Banks, Minneapolis, Minnesota. |
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RESTRICTIONS: |
None |
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COPYRIGHT: |
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REPRODUCTION |
Permission to reproduce or publish material in this collection must be obtained from the Indiana Historical Society. |
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ALTERNATE |
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RELATED |
Nellie Benson Letter, 28 February 1868 (SC 2218) |
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ACCESSION |
1987.0395 |
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NOTES: |
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Benjamin F. Copeland was a resident of Indianapolis in Marion County, Indiana. When the Civil War broke out, he enlisted in the 11th Indiana Volunteer Infantry on 22 April 1861. This regiment was commanded by Colonel Lew Wallace. The regiment was originally only a 3 month enlistment, but was reorganized as a 3 year regiment after the first term was up. The 11th Indiana fought at Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Vicksburg, and campaigned in Louisiana before being transferred to the East for the remainder of the war. Benjamin Copeland was promoted to Sergeant on 3 August 1861. He was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant 30 October 1862 and later 1st Lieutenant 10 March 1863 in Company A. When his term was up, he was mustered out of service on 12 December 1864.
A few of the soldiers photographed in the album were named. They include:
2nd Lieutenant Eugene Franklin enlisted on 28 November 1862 in the 176th New York Infantry. He was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant on 31 December 1863. He was honorably discharged on 17 December 1864 as a result of wounds suffered at the Battle of Cedar Creek.
Another photograph is signed by “Fred. Frank.” There was a 1st Lieutenant Frederick Frank in B Company of the 11th Indiana Volunteer Infantry.
Sources:
American Civil War Research Database. Accessed 2 May 2008. http://www.civilwardata.com/active/hdsquery.dll?RegimentHistory?520&U
Terrell, W. H. H. Report of
the Adjutant General. Volume II. Indianapolis: W. R. Holloway, State
Printer, 1865.
General Collection: E506.2.I39 T4 1865 v. 2. pgs. 77, 84–85.
Information from the collection.
This collection contains two photograph albums of cartes de visite images from the Civil War and personal photographs of the Copeland family.
The first album is made up of individual carte de visite photographs of soldiers in Civil War uniforms. Three of the pictures are signed, although one name is illegible. Several of the pictures are marked “dead” or “killed on” with a date. In this album are also two images, one of a young woman and the other a small boy. The pictures were taken from a variety of areas, including Indianapolis, Lafayette, and New Orleans.
The second album is of what is assumed to be pictures of the Copeland family with cartes de visite and tintypes of men, women, and children. The pictures were taken in Lafayette, Chicago, and Minneapolis. Some of the pictures are full-length portraits, while others are just head shots. Most of the images are not identified but there are a few with the last name May. Written on the last page in what appears to be a child’s hand are the words “Gran Maw Indianapolis Ind.”
The albums were donated with a letter addressed to “Grandma” from Nellie Benson. That letter is now in SC 2218, Nellie Benson Letter, 28 February 1868.
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CONTENTS |
CONTAINER |
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The Photograph Album of Benj. F.
Copeland. |
Album Storage: |
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Family Photograph Album, “Gran Maw Indianapolis, Ind.” |
Album Storage: |
For additional information on this collection, including a list of subject headings that may lead you to related materials:
1. Go to the Indiana Historical Society's online catalog: http://opac.indianahistory.org/
2. Click on the "Basic Search" icon.
3. Select "Call Number" from the "Search In:" box.
4. Search for the collection by its basic call number (in this case, P 0261).
5. When you find the collection, go to the "Full Record" screen for a list of headings that can be searched for related materials.