1/9th Plate Ambrotype of Confederate Soldier with Period Inscription

This unique 1/9th Plate Ambrotype of a Confederate soldier, with a period inscription reading “Thomas C. Smith Raleigh,” represents a poignant piece of American Civil War history. Through the expertise of a close friend, we have confirmed the identity of Thomas C. Smith, who enlisted at the tender age of 17 in May 1864, faced hospitalization by July, and returned to service until February 1865. At Massie's Antiques, we value preserving history's personal narratives and providing our discerning clientele with authentic, well-researched artifacts. This ambrotype is a testament to the courage and resilience of a young soldier and offers a deeply personal glimpse into the past. Ideal for collectors and historians alike, it showcases the unmatched integrity and dedication to authenticity that defines Massie’s Antiques.
 
On February 17, 1864, an act to organize "Reserves" was adopted by the Confederate Congress. A large number of men in the Home Guard were enrolled in the Confederate service. This reduced the Home Guard to such an extent that when mobilized they were consolidated into temporary regiments and were divided into first, second and third class,, Each class was to serve successive tours of duty of about, thirty days each. When each class, was mobilized it was organized into three regiments, thus making nine regiments of Home Guards. The law passed by the Confederate Congress on February 17, 1864, placed in the "Reserves" those men between the ages of 17 and 18 and between 45 and 50. The younger age group was called out in April and May 1864, and by the end of June eight battalions of Junior Reserves were organized. As these battalions were organized into regiments they were given line-numbers. The First and Sixth Battalions, with two other companies added, were organized into the First Regiment of Reserves (Seventieth North Carolina Regiment). The Second and Fifth Battalions, with two additional companies, were organized into the Second Regiment of Reserves (Seventy- First North Carolina Regiment). The Fourth, Seventh, and Eighth Battalions were organized into the Third Regiment of Reserves (Seventy-Second North Carolina Regiment). The words "Junior" and Senior" were not officially used and the first three "Reserve" regiments were designated First, Second, and Third Regiment, or Seventieth, Seventy-First, and Seventy-Second North Carolina. When the men between 45 and 50 were mobilized, they were organized into regiments designated as the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth Regiments of Reserves, or Seventy- Third, Seventy-Fourth, Seventy-Sixth, Seventy-Seventh, and Seventy-Eighth North Carolina. The Seventy-Fifth was the Seventh Cavalry. Up to this time the only large group of men that had escaped military service were the detailed men. These men were under Confederate jurisdiction and could not be recruited into any State organization. In November 1864, the Confederate authorities directed that the detailed men in North Carolina be organized into regiments and battalions. Three regiments were organized and designated the First, Second, and Third Regiments Detailed Men. Their line-numbers were Eighty-First, Eighty-Second, and Eighty- Third North Carolina Regiments. The scarcity of information on State organizations, such as Militia and Home Guards, is because many of the records were poorly kept, and these that survived were not turned over to the Federal Government in quantity.