CDV of Colonel Stark Fellows 14th New Hampshire Infantry / 2nd USCT

Carte de Visite (CDV) of Colonel Stark Fellows – 14th New Hampshire Infantry / 2nd U.S. Colored Troops
 
Original Civil War Carte de Visite (CDV) of Stark Fellows, a Union officer who served in the 14th New Hampshire Infantry Regiment before becoming a senior officer in the 2nd United States Colored Infantry Regiment.
 
Stark Fellows was a 22-year-old resident of Weare, New Hampshire, when he enlisted on August 22, 1862, as a 1st Lieutenant. On October 9, 1862, he was commissioned into Company D, 14th New Hampshire Infantry, serving with the regiment until September 4, 1863, when he resigned his commission.
 
Soon after, on October 22, 1863, Fellows reentered service when he was commissioned into the Field and Staff of the 2nd U.S. Colored Troops Infantry, a regiment composed of African American soldiers led by white officers. He rose rapidly through the ranks, being promoted to Lieutenant Colonel on August 19, 1863, and later to Colonel on February 16, 1864, becoming the regiment’s commanding officer.
 
Tragically, Colonel Fellows’ service was brief. While stationed in Key West, he died of disease on May 23, 1864, a common fate for many Civil War soldiers serving in the harsh conditions of coastal garrisons.
Service Summary
Enlisted: August 22, 1862 – 1st Lieutenant
Commissioned: October 9, 1862 – Company D, 14th New Hampshire Infantry
Resigned: September 4, 1863
Commissioned: October 22, 1863 – Field & Staff, 2nd U.S. Colored Troops Infantry
Promoted: Lieutenant Colonel (August 19, 1863)
Promoted: Colonel (February 16, 1864)
Died of disease: May 23, 1864 – Key West, Florida
A historically significant Civil War image of a young Union officer who rose to command a regiment of U.S. Colored Troops but died in service before the war’s end, representing the important role of USCT regiments in the Union war effort.