Civil War soldier and Kalamazoo College student Lewis Amos Taft

Abstract

Lewis Amos Taft was a student at Kalamazoo College in 1860-1861. He left the College to work on his family farm for a year, and then enlisted with the 85th Ohio Regiment. He died in 1868 at age 29. This photograph is an ambrotype, enclosed in a hinged leather and cloth case. An appraisal conducted in 1976 further describes the image: "Ambrotype of then-Private Taft, in uniform. Subject is standing and wears a 'Burnside' style 4-button enlisted-man's blouse and a regulation issue 'Bummer's' Kepi or cap. Subject holds a Model 1842 U.S. Rifled Musket with triangular bayonet affixed. Private Taft also wears a standard, regulation issue 'US' belt and buckle with cap box and bayonet scabbard attached. A cartridge box sling with eagle breast plate is worn over the shoulder."