Description

Ambrotype, 6^th plate

Inside the case, in period writing, is written WC then what is either an M or another WC followed by Carter.  Below the name is written 2^nd SC Reg Richmond Va 1861.  A review of service records for the Second South Carolina Regiment identified two men named Carter.  Only one fits the description in the case.  A Vinton C. Carter was a private in Captain W. W. Perryman’s Company F, 2^nd Regiment South Carolina Volunteers.  The company was ordered to Richmond on April 30, 1861, under the command of Col. J. B. Kershaw.  Unfortunately, Carter died of Consumption on July 11, 1861, at the General Hospital, Culpeper Court House, VA.  He was buried in Fairview Cemetery, Culpeper County, VA.  A report of sick and wounded from the Culpeper General Hospital lists Carter’s death as July 11, 1861, but names him as Winston Carter, which complies with the WC in the case.  The report further identifies him as a private in the S. Guards, 2 Regt. S.C.  Company F was known as the Secession Guard.  Identifying soldiers sometimes takes extra research to connect period clues, and the clues provided in the case can be connected by the service records, which are included with the image.  The image itself is a very crisp ambrotype as can be seen in the scan.  Carter is seated at a table with his tall kepi or forage cap resting on the table next to his arm.  He is wearing a classic early war dark blue South Carolina militia uniform with buttons on the collar.  I have seen an image of another soldier from the Second SC wearing the same uniform.  A scan of the case is included which clearly shows the inscription.  The image is housed in a half leatherette case.  This is a beautiful South Carolina image with solid ID and a sad story.