My grandfather is big into genealogy and has us mapped back pretty far. However, there are some holes in his information and this is one. We have an ancestor who was buried as "Gen Firstname Sirname" and died in 1862. However, we can find no record of him in any old military files that we have searched so far.
Thankfully, we have a picture/painting of him (presumably) in uniform.
Can anyone identify this? From my amature researching it looks very similar to the Union Army but the timeline is iffy with him dying in 1862 at 62years old.
Thanks in advance!
So there are a few parts to this that make me think he may be wearing a State's militia uniform.
Is that while it is similar to what the Regular Army would have been wearing around that time, its just a bit off.
Compare it for instance to the M1833 Coat for Officer worn before and after the Mexican War in the late 1840's while Frock Coats and shell jackets of various models become more the norm as well. http://www.ushist.com/mexican_war/us_military/uniforms/qm-3255_dress_tail-coat_m1833_officers_mexican-war-us.shtml
Is the Hussar Stripes across the chest. While not unknown in US uniform's they arent exactly common either, West Point being the notable exception along with several of the state military schools over the years. But an officer stationed there wopuld have worn his prescribed uniform not that of a cadet. And he is clearly beyond his college days in the photo.
Thus it is very likely a local militia or state unit's uniform, they could get rather outlandish, but also many come close to what is depicted.
The Maryland State Military School: https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/05/73/fb/0573fb582187285b7b2be9888be147dc.jpg
A unit of the New York State Militia: https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/e4/90/23/e4902319b337dfffd6eb51ffd9f2a02c.jpg
