Yorktown Photo

[guad42]

Greetings,

I've been looking at this photo for awhile and I wonder if it might be where Water Street runs along the riverfront in Yorktown, downstream from the bridge that crosses the York River. If you do a google street view it is very similar. Any thoughts?

-Sam Dolan

[Blair]

Re: Yorktown Photo

Sam,

It has been a while since I have been in Yorktown.
Do you have a date associated with this photo?
Do the all the Feds in the photo, my guess would be after the front had moved toward Williamsburg and/or beyond. Nearer to the end of the Peninsula Campaign.
Just a thought on my part,

[Vuhginyuh]

Re: Yorktown Photo

...I wonder if it might be where Water Street runs along the riverfront in Yorktown, (just) downstream from the bridge that crosses the York... -Sam Dolan

You are correct.

[guad42]

Re: Yorktown Photo

Mr. Beall,

Thank you!

To answer your question Blair, I believe it's spring '62.

-Sam

[roundshot]

Re: Yorktown Photo

When this photo is enlarged one can see that the Feds in the background are "heavies" and armed with Sharps rifles with sword bayonets. Since the 2 flank companies of the 1st Connecticut H. A. were armed with Sharps, I'd wager that's who these fellows are. This unit played a conspicuous role during the "siege."

[yeoman]

Re: Yorktown Photo

Sir, I did enlarge the image to bring out more detail...





and this deep background shot along the shore.

[Busterbuttonboy]

Re: Yorktown Photo

Ive attached a current image at about the same location.

[Huck]

Re: Yorktown Photo

Are those two bander rifles I am seeing?

[Blair]

Re: Yorktown Photo

I believe (a.k.a.) "roundshot" Bob Williams is correct. Many appear to be Sharps Rifles set up with saber bayonets.
These are indeed three band Rifles, but they are equipped with a standard 30 inch barrel.
Pleases keep in mind this is 3 inches shorter than the standard "Rifle" muzzle loading length barrel of 33 inches. Which are considered "less than safe" in the rank and file today.

What I find interesting are the four Whitworth Breech loading Cannons among the Artillery pictured.

[VA-Patriot'61]

Re: Yorktown Photo

Wow, excellent quality on the blown up image! I don't know how I missed this thread, Yorktown is my stomping ground. There are a whole series of photographs done along the river there that the Library of Congress has up as well as a few that are unpublished showing the works built for th siege of '62. I believe these photos were taken in late March or early April of '62 and yes the 1st Conn H.A. is very prominent in most of the photographs, unfortunately I don't know all the details of the regiment as far as which company was equipped with what. There is another couple of photos taken by "Cornwallis' Cave" which we've been able to identify a couple of the 1st Conn. H.A. officers. A very interesting series of photos and a good look at the Army of the Potomac as they arrived on the Peninsula for the push to Richmond.

The 1st Conn. H.A. was spread throughout the Yorktown area, their siege stores being kept miles away and ammunition floated through the creeks on barges up to their respective batteries. I'll try to find the links to the other photos and post them up when I get the chance, I'm sure some of them have already been posted a while ago but they are unique, so worth reposting again. Glad to see a thread on the hometown.

[roundshot]

Re: Yorktown Photo

Kirby: I would date these photos to around mid-May 1862 at earliest, since the Rebs did not vacate the premises until May 3rd.

Blair: Good eye on the Whitworth's, for that is what they certainly appear to be. I'll have to check further on their origin.

[Blair]

Re: Yorktown Photo

Bob,

I would tend to agree about dating the image. Late April to perhaps mid May.
Most of the Confederate Forces had retreated to the West of the Chickahiminy River/Swamp system by April.
My Great Grandfather was stationed at Yorktown with Co. B, 1st Va, Artillery, Wise's VA, Battery. He was back in Staunton, VA. in the Shenandoah Valley by May 5th. when the Regiment was reorganized.

It looks like there are four Whitworth Breech loading cannons. Three might be 18 to 20 pounders with one at about a 10 pounder calibers.

One other thing, Sharps produced what can best be disribed as the "only" breech loading "Rifle Musket". This was standard to the basic "rifle" in all respects except that it came with a barrel length of 36 inches and had the bottom of the barrel mounted saber bayonet lug. (6 inche longer than the standard Rifle)
These are quite rear today. It is difficult to tell in these photos but could some of these be the NM-1859 Sharps "Rifle Muskets"?

Check with R. Reilly, U S Military Small Arms 1816 - 1865, pages, 102 -103 & 4.

[Tom Craig]

Re: Yorktown Photo

What I think it totally cool and different is the fact that all these guys have their blankets or overcoats on top of your packs. You don't see that very much, and I have never seen it for an entire unit in a photo. These blow ups are super cool!
Take care,
Tom Craig

[VA-Patriot'61]

Re: Yorktown Photo

Bob, it's been awhile since I've looked at these photos. Since I've been away from the "hobby" and subject for quite some time I'll keep mum on the topics while I have zero research or notes available at this time until I can sort through my stuff post deployment. I'll still try to find the LOC links to the other photos associated with these, can't go wrong there.