CDV of Union Soldier Lewis Carothers with Natchez, Mississippi Backmark

CDV of Union Soldier Lewis Carothers, 4th Illinois Cavalry – Natchez, Mississippi Backmark
 
This is a clear and attractive carte de visite of Lewis Carothers of Company L, 4th Illinois Cavalry. The bust-view image shows the young soldier wearing a regulation Union sack coat over a vest, with good detail and contrast. The CDV has a scarce Natchez, Mississippi photographer’s backmark and includes a period album fragment with a handwritten ink inscription identifying the soldier.
 
Service Summary:
Residence: Peru, Illinois
Enlisted September 10, 1861, at Camp Hunter, Illinois, at age 18 as a Private
Mustered into Company L, 4th Illinois Cavalry on October 15, 1861
Served with the regiment for the full three-year term
Mustered out November 3, 1864, at Springfield, Illinois
 
At enlistment, Carothers was described as 6'1" tall with a light complexion, hazel eyes, and dark hair. He was a farmer before joining the Union cavalry.
The Natchez backmark is particularly desirable, as it indicates the photograph was likely taken while the 4th Illinois Cavalry was serving in the Western Theater, possibly during operations along the Mississippi River. The combination of the identified image, period inscription, and scarce Southern photographer’s mark makes this a strong CDV for collectors of Illinois cavalry or Western Theater soldiers.