Period Inscribed Union Soldier CDV William Taylor 4th Illinois Cavalry

Original Civil War carte de visite (CDV) photograph of Union cavalryman William H. Taylor of the 4th Illinois Cavalry, shown in a full standing pose holding his hat, with crisp detail and clearly visible sergeant’s stripes. The mount bears an E. F. Feiger of Pomeroy, Ohio backmark, adding photographic and regional interest. Taylor was a resident of Clinton, Illinois, a 25-year-old farmer at the time of his enlistment. He enlisted on February 9, 1862, at Clinton, Illinois, as a Private and mustered into Company L of the 4th Illinois Cavalry the same day. He re-enlisted on March 7, 1864, and was later promoted to Sergeant. On June 14, 1865, he made an intra-regimental transfer from Company L to Company B. He transferred out on June 23, 1865, at New Orleans, Louisiana, and on that same date transferred into Company I of the 12th Illinois Cavalry. He served until he was mustered out on May 29, 1866, at Houston, Texas. At enlistment, he was described as 5 feet 7 inches tall with a fair complexion, blue eyes, and dark hair. A sharp and well-identified Civil War CDV featuring a strong full-standing pose and photographer’s backmark, representing a veteran Illinois cavalry sergeant with extended wartime service.