Description

Born in Ireland, Gannon was a 22 year old resident of Manchester NH when he enlisted on 10/4/1861 as a 2nd Lieutenant.  On 12/20/1861 he mustered into Co. C, 8th New Hampshire Infantry.   He was promoted to 1st Lieutenant on 10/28/1862.  He was wounded on 5/27/1863 at Port Hudson, LA.  He was listed as being promoted to Captain in December of 1863, but was also cashiered in December of 1863, the dates most likely being incorrect.  His sentence was remitted on 4/15/1864, and he was again a 1st Lieutenant.  Gannon mustered out on 1/18/1865.  the 8th New Hampshire Infantry had a strong fighting history, spending nearly the entire war in Louisiana.  Their most famous engagement was the siege of Port Hudson.

The ID for this image is modern, being placed on the front of the cover glass in a stick-on tag by the original collector.  The collector was a well-known early collector, and the image comes with an attestation from the family as to his identification of the image.  I fully believe the ID, as Gannon’s kepi has an 8 in the loop of the bugle insignia.  This is a very clear tintype image, with Gannon posed in an interesting fashion.  It was likely taken at the time of his enlistment, based on the Second Lieutenant’s straps he is wearing.  His kepi displays a very nice embroidered infantry insignia, and his uniform buttons look to be eagle I’s.  The image is housed in a very nice thermoplastic case.