Images Captured in Time

David M. Thatcher

Originally published September-October 2022 · pp. 26

Thatcher enlisted at Martinsburg, Va., April 19, 1861, as a private in Company B, “Berkeley Troop,” 1st Virginia Cavalry. He was 17 years old. He was killed in action, still a teenager, in the cavalry fight at Buckland’s Mills, Va., October 19, 1863.

He is pictured wearing a distinctive triple breasted frock coat with Virginia state seal buttons and wearing a sword belt with Virginia state seal buckle. His kepi has crossed saber cavalry insignia with “1” designating his regiment.

Thatcher holds a cavalry saber and a Massachusetts Arms Adams-patent revolver that the state purchased just prior to the war along with Virginia sword belts and Ames cavalry sabers, many of which went to the 1st Virginia Cavalry.

Liljenquist Family Collection of Civil War Photographs (Library of Congress).