Gettysburg CDV of William Royal 44th New York Infantry / 9th USCT

Carte de Visite (CDV) of William Royal – 44th New York Infantry / 9th U.S. Colored Troops
 
Original Civil War Carte de Visite (CDV) of William Royal, bearing the photographer’s backmark of Andrew D. Lytle Anderson, New Orleans.
Royal was a resident of Pawling and was 21 years old when he enlisted in the Union Army on August 14, 1862, at Albany as a Private. On September 25, 1862, he mustered into Company E of the 44th New York Infantry Regiment, one of New York’s most well-known volunteer regiments, often referred to as “Ellsworth’s Avengers.”
 
Gettysburg Service:
Royal served with the regiment during its service with the V Corps of the Army of the Potomac and fought at the pivotal Battle of Gettysburg (July 1–3, 1863). The 44th New York was heavily engaged on July 2 while defending the Union left near Little Round Top. Alongside other V Corps units, the regiment helped repel repeated Confederate assaults, playing a key role in securing the strategic high ground that proved critical to the Union victory.
 
Commission in the U.S. Colored Troops
Royal was discharged for promotion on November 18, 1863, and soon afterward accepted a commission in the 9th United States Colored Infantry Regiment. On November 30, 1863, he was commissioned as Captain of Company F, becoming one of the white officers leading African American soldiers in the Union Army.
He served with the regiment through the closing campaigns of the war and into the early Reconstruction period, receiving a brevet promotion to Major on March 13, 1865, for meritorious service. Captain Royal remained in service until he was mustered out on November 26, 1866.
Service Summary
Enlisted: August 14, 1862 – Private, Albany, New York
Mustered in: September 25, 1862 – Company E, 44th New York Infantry
Fought at the Battle of Gettysburg with the Army of the Potomac
Discharged for promotion: November 18, 1863
Commissioned: November 30, 1863 – Captain, Company F, 9th U.S. Colored Troops Infantry
Brevet promotion: Major, March 13, 1865
Mustered out: November 26, 1866
A compelling Civil War image representing a soldier who rose from the ranks to officer, served in a famous Gettysburg regiment, and later commanded troops in the United States Colored Troops.