Outdoor albumen CDV of 2 soldiers at Point Lookout. Lookout Mountain, Tennessee: [R.M. Linn], 20 March 1864. Photographer's imprint to verso with precise date inscribed in ink. Ink inscription to mount recto margin reads: "Long + Gilmor H.78."

Excellent carte de visite (CDV) photograph taken on Lookout Mountain in Tennessee by photographer R.M. Linn. After achieving victory in the area in 1863, many triumphant Union soldiers had their portraits taken by Linn on the rocky vista overlooking the Tennessee River. This particular view bears Linn’s early imprint, which left room to enter the date it was made - 20 March 1864.

A period ink inscription below the photograph reads, “Long & Gilmor H.78.” This likely refers to James A. Gilmore and James C. Long, two members of Company H of the 78th Pennsylvania. Both men were from Butler County and enlisted on the same day in 1861. The 78th Pennsylvania was sent west after its formation and participated in many of the largest battles of that theater of the Civil War. This photograph represents a moment of tranquility during that hard service. Both men would eventually return to Pennsylvania unscathed.


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