Description
Ambrotypes, 6th plate
William W. Chenault was a 25-year-old physician when he enlisted at Catawba Co. North Carolina as a Captain on March 19, 1862. He was commissioned into Co. I (Catawba Marksmen), 49th North Carolina Infantry on April 16, 1862. The regiment’s colonel was future Confederate general Stephen Dodson Ramseur. Chenault would likely have participated in the battles of Malvern Hill, Antietam and Fredericksburg before dying of disease on February 1, 1863, at Petersburg, VA. Chenault was married to Ruth Elizabeth (Betty) Sherrill, whose image is included. Chenault was born on February 9, 1837. He can be found on “Find a Grave.”
Chenault is identified by an old family note inside the case. It is not period, but the paper is aged, and the ink looks to be from a fountain pen. Unfortunately, Mrs. Chenault’s image was broken and has been taped back together. All the pieces appear to be there, and one large piece is set back giving the dress a hollow appearance in one area. It could probably be professionally put back together. Both images are in half leatherette cases. This is a very nice identified Confederate grouping.
