CDV of Charles S. Wood, 4th Illinois Cavalry Bust View with Gurney, Natchez, MS

CDV of Charles S. Wood, 4th Illinois Cavalry – Bust View with Gurney, Natchez, Mississippi Backmark
This is a crisp bust-view carte de visite of Charles S. Wood of Company L, 4th Illinois Cavalry. The image shows a clear, direct portrait of the young soldier with excellent clarity and strong contrast. It features a bold period ink inscription identifying him on the front and a desirable Gurney, Natchez, Mississippi photographer’s backmark.
Service Summary:
Residence: Bloomington, Illinois
Occupation: Steward
Enlisted December 5, 1862, at age 18 as a Private
Mustered into Company L, 4th Illinois Cavalry on December 5, 1862
Intra-regimental transfer: Company L to Company B (June 14, 1865)
Transferred to Company I, 12th Illinois Cavalry on June 23, 1865, at New Orleans, Louisiana
Mustered out July 8, 1865, at Memphis, Tennessee
At enlistment, Wood was described as 5'5" tall with a dark complexion, dark eyes, and black hair.
The Natchez, Mississippi backmark is particularly significant, as it confirms the photograph was taken while the regiment was serving in the Western Theater along the Mississippi River. This is a nicely identified CDV with a scarce Southern photographer imprint and strong provenance.