CDV is a profile bust view of Joseph B. Taft in a dark double-breasted frock coat with shoulder straps.

Contrast and clarity are good. Paper and mount are good but for a small area in the upper left corner that has a small water stain. Bottom has a faint period pencil inscription of “LT. COL. J.B. TAFT, 143^RD NYV.”

Reverse has a photographer’s imprint for THE ADDIS GALLERY…WASHINGTON, D.C. There is also a nice period ink ID of “JOSEPH B. TAFT, LIEUTENANT COL. BVT. COL. N.Y.V.” Below this in faint period pencil is “FELL AT MISSON RIDGE.” There are also some other markings in pencil.

Joseph Baldwin Taft was born August 9, 1838 in Columbus, Mississippi. He was commissioned major of the 143^rd New York at New York City on October 11, 1862 and promoted to lieutenant-colonel on November 9, 1863. He was killed at Missionary Ridge on November 25, 1863.

At Missionary Ridge he was placed in temporary command of the 73^rd Pennsylvania. The following account appears in the Official Records Series 1, Vol. 31 (Part III) Pages 370-371-

“...At about noon, November 25, the brigade received orders to assist a brigade of the Fifteenth Corps. In compliance with this order this regiment, under the command of Lieut. Col. J. B. Taft, formed in line of battle, advanced at double-quick and at a bayonet charge, under a very destructive cross-fire from the enemy's batteries and musketry, dislodged a strong force of the enemy from log huts at the foot of Tunnel Hill, occupied the same, and twice repulsed the enemy, who endeavored to outflank us.

A line of battle, in attempting to gain the summit of Tunnel Hill, being broken and our ammunition being entirely exhausted, the enemy succeeded in surrounding us, thereby capturing 8 officers and 91 enlisted men; many of the latter are supposed to be wounded. During the action we lost our noble commander, Lieut. Col. J. B. Taft, and 14 enlisted men, besides 3 other brave officers, who were mortally wounded, namely Capts. F. Schaeffer and C. H. Goebel, and First Lieut. George Wild and 55 enlisted men wounded. First Lieut. Henry Hess, who was slightly wounded by a fragment of shell, has since then, to our great joy, returned to us. The regiment took up the line of march at 4.30 a.m., November 26, arrived at about noon November 27, at Graysville, Ga., and detached as headquarters guard of Second Division...

I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

SAMUEL D. MILLER,

First Lieutenant, Comdg. Seventy-third Pennsylvania Vols.     [ad][ph:L]

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