Forty-Nine Photographs of the 2nd Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, Most Identified

Massachusetts, 1898. The 2nd Massachusetts Volunteers mustered into service in May, 1898, and within a month saw significant action in Cuba at the Battle of El Caney. They were one of three volunteer units from Massachusetts to see action on the Santiago Campaign. The regiment was inexperienced - 55% were untrained recruits. The lack of experience, combined with their rifles giving off a very visible black smoke, led to a heavy casualties in the Battle of El Caney. After an encampment near Santiago de Cuba in which a large number of the soldiers became ill with disease - estimates are as high as 65% - the regiment returned home in August. Historians have noted that soldier demographics changed considerably from the Civil War to the Spanish American war, as the smaller number of troops and the lack of a draft led to a more enthusiastic army with higher morale.

The photographs in this group are interesting as a typological grouping of images of untrained soldiers, and also for their historical value, as most contain identifications to versos. The highlight of the group is forty-four uniformly mounted portraits of soldiers, nearly all identified, measuring 3 ¾ x 2 ½ inches each. Other photographs include a large portrait of Captain Frederick E. Pierce, with the blindstamp of Goldsmith Studio, Springfield, Massachusetts and a 3 ¼ x 3 ¼ inch square card of Capt. Pierce in Camp Turner. Also included are two slightly larger photographs on similar mounts.

Overall an interesting group. Good condition overall with assorted chips and wear.