Post by ephriam on Jan 3, 2015 17:56:41 GMT -5
Many of us are familiar with some of the great Indian portraits by Byron H. Gurnsey, who operated a photographic gallery in Sioux City, Iowa from about 1866 until he sold out in 1871. Among our favorites are his views of the Lakota delegates to Washington D.C. in 1870, including several great portraits of Spotted Tail and his delegation. You may also be familiar with Gurnsey's later work in Colorado after locating first in Pueblo and later Colorado Springs, Colorado. His Rocky Mountain stereographic views include Pike's Peak and Garden of the Gods.
But can you name his first series of photographs?
I only recently learned that Byron Gurnsey arrived in Sioux City in 1861 as a soldier, in what later became Company M 7th Iowa Volunteer Cavalry and that he participated in Gen. Sully's 1864 and 1865 Expeditions. In 1865, having just learned the trade of photography (I suspect while in Sioux City the previous winter, probably working with Charles L. Hamilton), Gurnsey brought his camera with him on Sully's final expedition. In August 1865, while the troops rested at Fort Berthold, he produced at least nine surviving images. A tenth possible image dates from this period but cannot be tied to Gurnsey with certainty.
Do you know of any other images that might also be part of this series? I am finishing up an article for North Dakota History about Gurnsey's and Hamilton's 1865 activities and would love to know if there are other images out there! Thanks.
ephriam
Figure 1. "Camp of 6th Iowa Cavalry & Wagon Corral, near Ft. Berthold"
Figure 2. "Camp of Brackett's Battalion near Ft. Berthold, 1865"
Figure 3. "Camp Seventh Iowa Cavalry"
Figure 4. "Head Qrs. Wagons, Genl. Sully's Comd."
Figure 5. "Dirt Lodges at Fort Berthold"
Figure 6. "Chiefs of Grosventres, Mandans, Rees and Sioux Nations."
Figure 7. Prairie Battery, Sully Expedition
Figure 8. "Quarters of Post Surgeon & Post Commandant, Fort Berthold"
Based on the names listed on this photograph, including Capt. Dimon, Capt. Yates, Dr. Crapper and F. F. Gerard, this image confirms that the photographs were taken at Fort Berthold in August 1865.
Figure 9. "Fort Berthold"
Figure 10. Major Bracket with his horse.
This might be a Gursey image from the expedition, but I am not certain.
But can you name his first series of photographs?
I only recently learned that Byron Gurnsey arrived in Sioux City in 1861 as a soldier, in what later became Company M 7th Iowa Volunteer Cavalry and that he participated in Gen. Sully's 1864 and 1865 Expeditions. In 1865, having just learned the trade of photography (I suspect while in Sioux City the previous winter, probably working with Charles L. Hamilton), Gurnsey brought his camera with him on Sully's final expedition. In August 1865, while the troops rested at Fort Berthold, he produced at least nine surviving images. A tenth possible image dates from this period but cannot be tied to Gurnsey with certainty.
Do you know of any other images that might also be part of this series? I am finishing up an article for North Dakota History about Gurnsey's and Hamilton's 1865 activities and would love to know if there are other images out there! Thanks.
ephriam
Figure 1. "Camp of 6th Iowa Cavalry & Wagon Corral, near Ft. Berthold"
Figure 2. "Camp of Brackett's Battalion near Ft. Berthold, 1865"
Figure 3. "Camp Seventh Iowa Cavalry"
Figure 4. "Head Qrs. Wagons, Genl. Sully's Comd."
Figure 5. "Dirt Lodges at Fort Berthold"
Figure 6. "Chiefs of Grosventres, Mandans, Rees and Sioux Nations."
Figure 7. Prairie Battery, Sully Expedition
Figure 8. "Quarters of Post Surgeon & Post Commandant, Fort Berthold"
Based on the names listed on this photograph, including Capt. Dimon, Capt. Yates, Dr. Crapper and F. F. Gerard, this image confirms that the photographs were taken at Fort Berthold in August 1865.
Figure 9. "Fort Berthold"
Figure 10. Major Bracket with his horse.
This might be a Gursey image from the expedition, but I am not certain.
