Portraits of the 7th and 22nd New York State Militia

The 7th New York State Militia

The regiment posed for these group portraits at Camp Cameron in Washington, D.C. in 1861. The studio of Mathew B. Brady is believed to have produced them. They are part of the Samuel Crocker Lawrence Collection at the Medford Historical Society in Medford, Mass. Quotes taken from the History of the Seventh Regiment of New York, 1806-1889, by Col. Emmons Clark.

“Camp Cameron, named in honor of the Secretary of War, was situated on Meridian Hill, about two miles from the Capitol and one mile due north from Willard’s Hotel, on the Harper’s Ferry road. It contained about forty acres, and within its limited was the elegant old mansion of Dr. Stone, built by Madison in the first years of the century, and a favorite summer residence of many of the Presidents.”*—From the History of the Seventh Regiment of New York, 1806-1889, by Col. Emmons Clark.*

“Situated upon an elevated terrace, Camp Cameron commanded a view of the city of Washington, with its broad avenues and elegant public buildings; of the Potomac, stretching away like a beautiful lake to Alexandria, and of the famous Heights of Arlington, in Virginia. In front of the camp was a large parade-ground, which afforded ample room for the evolutions of the battalion. The Stone mansion was occupied by Colonel [Marshall] Lefferts and his staff, and the out-buildings were a convenient depot for commissary stores.” *—From the History of the Seventh Regiment.*

“Magnificent old oaks, veterans of the ancient forest, flourished on every side, and lent to the landscape wonderful beauty. As the Seventh Regiment was the first to seek a camping-ground, it is not strange that this, the. Most lovely locality in all that region, was selected; and it is a historical fact, well worthy of record and remembrance, that the Seventh Regiment was the first regiment in all the country to pitch its tents in front of the enemy during the great rebellion.”

22nd New York State Militia near Harpers Ferry, Va., 1862. Attributed to Mathew B. Brady.

The regiment posed for these group portraits near Harpers Ferry, Va., in 1862. The studio of Mathew B. Brady is believed to have produced them. They are part of the Samuel Crocker Lawrence Collection at the Medford Historical Society in Medford, Mass.

**Commissary Sgt. John C. Thompson** leans against the post of a tent filled with wood boxes and measuring cups. Originally a private in Company A, he was appointed commissary in July 1862.

**Pvt. George Sheppard** of Company G knelt before his open backpack in front of a tent and below the Stars and Stripes. A stack of letters wrapped by ribbon is visible on top of the pack. He served on duty in Harpers Ferry for three months in 1862, and in Pennsylvania for a 30-day stint in 1863.

**Sgt. Frederick Sturges**, center, was a founding member of Company G. Like most soldiers in the regiment, he served in 1862 and 1863. During the later duty in Pennsylvania, he participated in the Battle of Carlisle on July 1. According to one report, he and a comrade were on the way to the home of some young ladies with whom they had been flirting when Confederate troops began to shell the town.

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