Civil War USMC Photo

[Brig]

This sold on eBay a few weeks ago for a few bucks past 400... wasn't too comfortable with the signature/name since it had been traced over. I'll let the seller's description do that talking:

 

 

Original, ca1863, Signed, CDV Photograph of Union Civil War Lieutenant William B. McKean, United States Marine Corps. This outstanding, period, albumen Photograph measures approx. 2 1/8” by 3 1/2” and is mounted on its original, square corner, CDV Card Mount (card measures approx 2 3/8" by 4"). The portrait is signed on the reverse "Let. W. B. McKean / U.S.M. Corps" but unfortunately someone at a later time (still 19th century but after Lieut. McKean signed the card) has traced over the signature in iron gall ink. The back of the card mount also carries the mark of the San Francisco, California photographers Bradley & Rulfson (successors to H. H. Vance).The Photograph is a vignette, bust portrait of McKean wearing the uniform of a lieutenant in the USMC.

We could uncover little information about Lieutenant McKean other than the fact that in 1863 he was court marshaled for having delivered written message, in the nature of a challenge to a duel, from Captain David M. Cohen to E. A. Selridra (?), the clerk of the commandant of the Navy Yard, Mare Island, California and acted as a “second” in this regard to Captain Cohen. Although both Cohen and McKean were found Not Guilty of the original offence of “conduct tending to the destruction of good morals”, they were both found Guilty of a lesser offence in regard to the charges. Tis Guilty verdict was later overturned by the Secretary of the Navy, Gideon Wells

 

[irish]

Very interesting, I enjoyed the background information.

[teufelhunde.ret]

http://www.hcaauctions.com/LotDetail.aspx?lotid=4379

 

Lot #1215: U.S. Marine Corps Jewish officer court martialled for challenging another officer to a duel.

 

Original "Navy Department / General Order / October 17, 1863." Single sheet, both sides. Printed official notification that "…at a General court martial…convened at Navy Yard, Mare Island, California August 20, 1863 CAPTAIN DAVID M. COHEN and 1'st Lieut William B. McKean of the Marine Corps…were tried on the following charges…scandalous conduct tending to the destruction of good morals." Details of the trial and the findings, indicating that Capt. Cohen "…sent a written message in the nature of a challenge to E. A. Selfridg, Clerk of the Commandant of the [Navy] Yard" and that Lt. McKean "…acting as a friend or second of Capt. D. M. Cohen of the Marine Corps was the bearer of the written message in the nature of a challenge…" Found guilty of one of the charges they were both "sentenced to be reprimanded…" but upon review by Gideon Wells, Sec'y of the Navy, the sentences were "…not confirmed and the proceedings of the court disapproved…" with reasons for same. Cohen had a very long and commendable record with the Marine Corps, rising to the rank of major (at the time high rank, the Marine Corps' commandant being a colonel !). Pages 3 and 4 blank. Full, wide margins. 5½ x 8½ . A fascinating piece of American military Judaica.

 

 

[Brig]

Wow, great background info. What an interesting history

[Dirk]

Brig: from the image the ink seems ok to me....the dueling thing is interesting but if I am going to lay down money from those early images I want more uniform shown and head gear of some type