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- Merrick J. Wald C Private 9/2/1862 7/10/1865 This soldiers name was Merrick J. Wald who was a private in the 77th Illinois Company C. This photo along with a number of other like pictures came from the same album. The album has a purchase date of 1861 and was used to collect a number of Civil War CDV Carte de visite portraits. If you would like to see the album inside page All of the soldiers in the album were members of the 77th Illinois Infantry, Company C. However there are a couple from other companies in the 77th Illinois. Most even include a Inter. Rev. Two Cent Stamp which was a tax on photo s from 1861 to 1865 to finance the war on the Union Side.. This regiment was mustered in to the United States services Sept. 3, 1862 in Peoria IL in Woodford County and was mustered out on July 10, 1865 in Mobile. Most of these pictures were taken in New Orleans where the regiment was assigned to guard Rebel Prisoners in New Orleans between October 8, 1864 and February 20, 1865, The soldiers from the 77th Illinois Infantry had 'carte de visite' CDV photographs taken at Leeson's Photographic Gallery. These 2 1/2" x 4" cards were often exchanged between soldiers or sent home to loved ones. The Regiment then left New Orleans at that time for western Louisiana; marched up the Red River, driving the enemy until Sabine Cross Roads was reached, on the 8th of April 1864, where it meet the enemy in force. The 77th belonged to the division under Gen. Ransom, which was ordered forward to support the advanced calvary. Before the army could be brought forward to their support the whole rebel army came down on them and overwhelmed the whole division. In this engagement the 77th suffered terribly; Lieut. Col. Webb was killed instantly, besides 176 officers and men killed, wounded and made prisoners, leaving only 125 men in the regiment for duty. These pictures represent 10% of the remaining troops after this battle since almost all left the war alive. For additional information on the 77th Illinois Infantry
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