[CIVIL WAR] Company Strength: 10 Images of Troopers from the 1st Maine Cavalry

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Rick Carlile Collection of Civil War Photogra...

By Fleischer's Auctions

Jun 20, 2026

Set Reminder 2026-06-20 09:00:00 2026-06-20 09:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Rick Carlile Collection of Civil War Photography https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/fleischers-auctions/rick-carlile-collection-of-civil-war-photography-22699
This sale features an extensive catalog of Civil War photographs that were acquired, curated, and researched by seminal collector, Rick Carlile. Fleischer's Auctions info@fleischersauctions.com

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• Lot Description

  This historically significant 10-piece mega-lot of CDVs stands as an extraordinary archive entirely dedicated to the legendary, hard-fighting 1st Maine Cavalry. Rich in premium content, this sprawling assembly features multiple high-ranking command figures, identified casualties, exceptional backmarks from Maine, and period inscriptions. The lot includes:

   

  1. A vignette bust portrait captures Adjutant Thaddeus Little attired in a regulation line officer's frock coat with shoulder straps. The reverse carries a backmark for J.S. Hendee, Photographer, Water St., Augusta, Me. The back features a period ink identification reading "Thaddeus Little / Adj. 1st Me. Cav." accompanied by a note:  "Return to P. Calley / Rockland Ma [Maine]." Little served as the regiment's reliable administrative anchor through the heavy combat tracking the 1864 Overland Campaign.

   

  2. A vignette bust portrait depicts Lt. George E. Jumper posed in a double-breasted field officer's frock coat with velvet collar accents. The reverse features an ornate backmark for J.S. Hendee, Op. Stanley House, Augusta, Me. The back bears collector's historical research: "Lt. George E. Jumper / Co. G 1st Maine Cav / See p. 561 of Tobie." Lieutenant Jumper was severely wounded in action at the Battle of Aldie on 17 June 1863, and was later captured as a prisoner of war near Stony Creek on 16 September 1864. He went on to successfully escape from Camp Asylum.

   

  3. A vignette bust portrait of wagoner Gustavus L. Mills captured in a short cavalry fatigue shell jacket and a mustache. The reverse carries the  backmark of Alexander Gardner, "Photographer to the Army of the Potomac," in Washington, D.C. A period pencil inscription on the verso reads "Gustavus Mills" with later collector note "Co E 1st Maine / Wagoner." Mills served as the official transport and logistics coordinator for his company. reliably managing supply trains and equipment hauling through the intense, high-mobility cavalry operations of the 1864 Overland Campaign.

   

  4. A full-length standing portrait of Major Benjamin F. Tucker in Mathew Brady's Washington studio, resting his right hand on a parlor table next to a mantel clock. He wears a double-breasted officer's frock coat with rank straps, campaign trousers, and an officer's sword at his hip. The reverse features a Brady's National Photographic Portrait Galleries backmark and an ink presentation inscription: "Maj. B. F. Tucker / 1st Maine Cavy / Comdg Cavy Dept / A of P." Rising from captain to major, he was ultimately detailed to high-level staff duty managing mounted communications at the Adjutant General's Office in Washington.

   

  5. A vignette bust study of Colonel Samuel H. Allen facing three-quarter right, wearing a double-breasted colonel's frock coat with eagle shoulder straps and a full beard. The reverse is housed on an unclipped card mount bearing a unit identification: "Col Samuel H. Allen / 1st Maine Cav." Directly below is the desirable studio stamp of J. Byerly, Frederick, Md. He was the original commander who supervised the regiment's early mobilization, drilling, and vital defensive deployment along the Potomac.

   

  6. A vignette bust portrait of Captain John D. Myrick facing left in a profile view, attired in a regulation line officer's frock coat with captain's shoulder straps and a trimmed mustache. The reverse features a blank card mount with research notes regarding his service: "Capt John D Myrick / 1st Maine Cav" with a lower marginal note "See Tobie p. 236." Myrick famously commanded Company K and won high praise in regimental reports for his conspicuous gallantry under fire at the Battle of Brandy Station.

   

  7. A studio portrait of George E. Perkins posed in a three-quarter length seated view next to a fluted studio column. He wears his dark officer's coat unbuttoned over a military vest, with ink identification "Geo. E. Perkins" in the lower front margin. The reverse features a gallery mark reading "Photographed by W. L. Bracey, Wakefield's Building, Great Falls, N.H." 

   

  8. A full-length standing studio portrait captures an unidentified 1st Maine trooper in full field rig, standing in a short cavalry shell jacket, matching trousers, and a slouch hat while resting his right hand on a studio pedestal against a painted camp backdrop showing a Sibley tent. The reverse carries a backmark for S. W. Sawyer, Bangor, Me. This heavily equipped trooper represents the classic look of the frontline Maine riders who faced the initial shocks of Stuart's cavalry vanguard in 1862.

   

  9. A full-length standing portrait of a fully equipped 1st Maine cavalryman in marching order. He wears a dark slouch hat and a crossbelt sash slung across his breast, holding the basket hilt of his cavalry saber vertically next to a parlor chair. The reverse carries a yellow paper studio label: "From Howe's Gallery, 112 Water Street, Augusta, Me." Prepared for hard field service, this trooper belongs to the veteran core that sustained the regiment's reputation through the grueling, high-casualty battles of the Wilderness and Spotsylvania.

   

  10. A full-length standing portrait of Colonel Samuel H. Allen leaning against a studio balustrade, facing three-quarter right. He is arrayed in a double-breasted frock coat with shoulder straps and high leather riding boots, leaning next to a curtain. Ink identification below the image reads: "S.H. Allen / Col. 1st Me Cavalry." The reverse is oriented horizontally, bearing period inscription "Mrs Patten [sp?] / Portland." Allen served as the original commander of the 1st Maine Cavalry, overseeing the initial organization, drilling, and deployment of the regiment.

   

  The 1st Maine Volunteer Cavalry fought across every major campaign of the Eastern Theater, serving under General Philip Sheridan and sustaining more battle losses than any other cavalry regiment in the Federal service. This 10-CDV archive provides a comprehensive look at the regiment's internal structure and material lifecycle, ranging from the senior field command of Colonel Samuel H. Allen and Major Benjamin F. Tucker down to the frontline company leadership of Captain John D. Myrick, and the enlisted ranks. It would be difficult to assemble such a deep collection on the open market, making this a unique and rare opportunity. 

   

  [Civil War, Union, Confederate] [Photography, Early Photography, Historic Photography, Daguerreotypes, Ambrotypes, Tintypes, Cased Images, Union Cases, Albumen Photographs, CDVs, Carte de Visites, Cartes de Visite, Carte-de-visite, Cartes-de-visite, CDV, Cabinet Cards, Stereoviews, Stereocards]

  Condition

  Request Condition Report

  The prints and mounts are in excellent condition, presenting fine contrast, rich tones, and only minor age-appropriate light surface toning on the reverses.

• Provenance

  Rick Carlile collection. 

• Shipping Info

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