CDV PROBABLY ADELBERT GARDNER SERGEANT 21ST NY CAVALRY

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Cdv Probably Adelbert Gardner Sergeant 21St Ny Cavalry

A very nice seated view of a sergeant photographed by the beardsley brothers of itahca and so backmarked. There is on name or signature on the card, but a little detective work produces a resonably certain identification. Sergeant stripes are visible on his sleeves. His jacket seems to be a non-regulation variant of a mounted shell jacket teh collar is piped and has a false button hole. The front of the jacket is piped as well, and the cuffs show wide piping that is not ewlted into the seam.

The jacket does have two unusual elements the piping runs down both lapels in front so that when worn open, as he wears it in the photo, both strips of piping are visible the jacket also has nine large eagle buttons afstening it, rather than twelve smaller ones. Both these elements are occasionally seen worn by ncos. In any case, the jacket seems pretty clearly that fo a mounted sergeant serving in the artillery or cavalry. The darkness of the piping does not tell much, because red and yellow can both show up as dark in cw period photography. But a 21 is clearly visible on the front fo the cap.

The 21st ny battery did not have an association with ithaca or tompkins county, but the 21st ny cavalry did compayn b and company m recruited here. In addition, the soldier wears a watch fob with the initial g clearly visible. Most probably the initial of ihs last name. If so, one candidate fits the unit, the rank and the initial daalbert b. Gardner, who enlisted 12/3/63 in ithaca at age 18 and mustered in as a private ni company m, 12/22/63 to serve three years.

He was appointed corporal 9/10/64, and sergeatn 7/1/65. He was mustered out as supernumerary 9/9/65 at camp collins, colorado territory. He is also borne on the rosters as adelbert d.

Gardner. The 21st ny cavalry, also known as the griswold light cavalry, served in the army of west virginia and the army of the shenandoah, taking part in more than fifty actions according to phisterer, losing 2 officers and 40 men killed in action, and another 1 officer and 23 men who died of wounds, as well as others from disease, etc. Shipping $4.80 for priority mail plus insurance. Overseas $15. Ny and oh add sales tax.