Civil War Union Infantrymen Photographs

Originally published March-April 2025 · pp. 62–71

Civil War Union Infantrymen Photographs — lead photograph from the original article

Civil War Union Infantrymen—Photographs from the Liljenquiest Family Collection

Union enlisted infantryman wearing state-issued shell jacket with tabs, forage cap with infantry horn insignia. He is posed with a pipe with a hinged metal top typical of the era.

Library of Congress

Civil War Union Infantrymen Photographs — photograph 2 from the original article

A lot of experience in the field was probably seen by this trio of unidentified Union infantry soldiers, 1st lieutenant, 1st sergeant, and master sergeant, all wearing infantry shell jackets with blue hand-tinting to trousers and chevrons.

Civil War Union Infantrymen—Photographs from the Liljenquiest Family Collection

Civil War Union Infantrymen Photographs — photograph 3 from the original article

Two unidentified Union soldiers in an unknown 20th Infantry Regiment proudly showing their forage caps with insignia, possibly father and son.

Library of Congress

Civil War Union Infantrymen Photographs — photograph 4 from the original article

An unidentified Union infantryman wearing a state issued frock with indiscernible state seal buttons, full accoutrements along with regulation U.S. Pattern 1858 canteen with tarred linen sling, posed with a U.S. Model 1842 .69 caliber musket with fixed bayonet. His kepi has the company letter “H” of an unknown regiment.

Civil War Union Infantrymen—Photographs from the Liljenquiest Family Collection

Civil War Union Infantrymen Photographs — photograph 5 from the original article

A dapper young Union soldier leaning against a column wearing an enlisted frock and forage cap, his coat is opened to show off the watch chain on a fancy vest.

Library of Congress

Civil War Union Infantrymen Photographs — photograph 6 from the original article

Union infantryman wearing winter weather greatcoat with cape, tarred linen haversack, regulation U.S. Pattern 1858 canteen, forage cap, and knapsack, though only the straps of the knapsack can be seen across the top of his shoulders.

Civil War Union Infantrymen—Photographs from the Liljenquiest Family Collection

Civil War Union Infantrymen Photographs — photograph 7 from the original article

Wide-eyed Union enlisted soldier holding hand-drawn paper representing a map of Virginia. The soldier wears a 4-button sack coat, forage cap, belt with oval US belt plate, percussion cap box, and revolver in his belt.

Library of Congress

Civil War Union Infantrymen Photographs — photograph 8 from the original article

Union lieutenant wearing regulation company grade officer’s frock, plumed officers Hardee hat with embroidered infantry horn and Model 1851 sword belt. He wears a pin with the bust of Winfield Scott. Men of the 90-day Scott Legion, 20th Pennsylvania, wore bust insignia of Winfield Scott.

Civil War Union Infantrymen—Photographs from the Liljenquiest Family Collection

Civil War Union Infantrymen Photographs — photograph 9 from the original article

Union captain and sergeant smoking cigars in non-regulation headgear.

Library of Congress

Civil War Union Infantrymen Photographs — photograph 10 from the original article

A Union sergeant posed with a U.S. Model 1816 .69 caliber percussion conversion musket with a fixed bayonet. He is wearing a stateissue frock coat with chevrons, full infantry accoutrements, and a kepi.