Signed CDV of 26th United States Colored Troops Capt. William Davenport

Signed CDV of 26th United States Colored Troops Capt. William Davenport with Beaufort, S. C. backmark.
 
William Davenport was born on December 25, 1839 in County Down, Ireland, emigrated to the US and was working as a clerk and salesman when he enlisted on May 24, 1861, age 22, at Lansingburgh, NY to serve two years. He was mustered in as a Private in Company A, 30th NY Infantry on June 1, 1861 and was promoted Corporal on December 15, 1861 and Sergeant on August 30, 1862.
The 30th NY Infantry was a member the Army of the Potomac, fighting at the Battles of Groveton, Second Bull Run (where they suffered 117 casualties), South Mountain, Antietam, and Fredericksburg. Sergeant Davenport mustered out with his company at the expiration of his term of service on June 18, 1863 at Albany.
Davenport was appointed 1st Lieut. of Company A, 26th USCT at Riker’s Island, New York Harbor on January 13, 1864 per Special Order No. 20, Office of A.A., Provost Marshal General, Southern Division of New York dated January 22nd. He was mustered in as Captain of Company C on May 27, 1864 at Hilton Head, South Carolina vice P. Edwin Dye promoted Major & Additional Paymaster, USV Paymaster’s Dept.
 
Captain Davenport was appointed a member of the Board of Survey on April 18, 1865 per Special Orders No. 53, HQ U.S. Forces District of Beaufort, 2nd Separate Brigade. He mustered out at Hilton Head, South Carolina on August 28, 1865.
He returned to Lansingburgh following the war, married Mary F. Lea and moved west to California where he died on September 30, 1898 at age 59. Captain Davenport was buried in the GAR Section at Mountain View Cemetery in Oakland. The cdv is in okay condition with some trimming on the top right side.