[Miles J. Barnum]

After three long and arduous years in the Grand Army of the Republic, Miles J. Barnum was coming home. He had lost his brother at the Charge on Vicksburg Fort in May of 1863. He had had not seen his aging father in the thirty-six months since enlistment. He was anxious to return to Anna, Illinois and to his intended, Susan Mangold.

It was a hot July day in 1865 when Miles came down Markham street in Little Rock, Arkansas and stepped into the cool interior of Henry Slatter's "GEM" Photograph Gallery. It was directly across from Headquarters and frequented by the Union soldiers. His desire was to send home a photograph with word of his discharge.

This carte de visite portrait is of Miles J. Barnum, made on his discharge in Little Rock, Arkansas in summer of 1865. Little Rock is where he was discharged and the style of mount agrees with that date of discharge. His military jacket can be seen in the portrait.

When Miles enlisted in the 18th Illinois Volunteer Infantry the recruitment officer noted his physical description, which was the practice. From this source, we know he had "Hazel eyes, Dark hair, Light complexion," and was 6 feet tall.

When his regiment was raised in Anna, Illinois, Miles had been voted Sergeant by his fellow citizens. Although, in May of 1863, he was recommended for promotion to Captain of a colored regiment by his regimental captain, John Davis, there is no record of his ever having served as Captain. This was before his injury, so that incident did not prevent his attaining the rank of Captain. But Miles was walking away from service with only the rank of private due to the federalization of the Union Army, which by consolidating units meant reductions in rank.

The Photograph

Carte de visite on albumen paper. Imprint: "GEM" Photograph Gallery Markham Street Opposite Head Quarters, Little Rock, Ark. Henry Slatter--- Prop'r. The imprinted representation of a frame was popular in the mid-1860s (1863-1866). [AJB:24]