Huntington Library, Photo Archives Collections

Bonsall (Isaac) Collection of Photographs, approximately 1862-1880, bulk 1862-1864

Isaac Bonsall Collection of Photographs, approximately 1862-1880, bulk 1862-1864

Summary

Creators:
Bonsall, Isaac, 1833-1909, photographer.
Abstract:
This collection contains 54 photographs by photographer Isaac H. Bonsall (1833-1909) chiefly depicting the landscape and Union Army operations during the American Civil War in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and the surrounding regions, from approximately 1862 to 1865. The prints primarily document encampments, buildings, artillery, steamships, railroad bridges, and soldiers. Two images were not taken by Bonsall and include copyright information for photographer N. Brown.
Extent:
54 photographs in 2 boxes: albumen prints; various sizes
Language:
English.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Isaac Bonsall Collection of Photographs, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains 54 photographs by photographer Isaac H. Bonsall chiefly depicting the landscape and Union Army operations during the American Civil War in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Murfreesboro, Tennessee, Lookout Mountain, Georgia, Corinth, Mississippi, and the surrounding regions, from approximately 1862 to 1865. The prints primarily document encampments, buildings, artillery, steamships, railroad bridges, and soldiers. The collection also includes some portraits of soldiers and Union officers, including the officers of the 1st United States Veteran Volunteer Engineers (Items 52-53) and Generals William S. Rosencrans (Item 2), John H. King and George H. Thomas (Item 45), and Joseph Hooker (Item 47). Among the images are two images of African American Union troops (Items 34 and 44).

Item 29, a landscape view of grazing farm animals near Arkansas City, Kansas, dates from circa 1875-1880, and is the only image carrying Bonsall's imprint. Items 29.1 - 29.3 also date from after the Civil War. Two images in the collection were not taken by Bonsall and include copyright information for N. Brown (Items 30 and 31).

Biographical / historical:

Isaac H. Bonsall (1833-1909) was born in December 1833. He grew up around Cincinnati, Ohio, and opened his own photography studio there in the 1850s. In the late 1850s, he moved to Kansas, and worked primarily in the Leavenworth area, including in a brief partnership with ambrotypist John T. Needles. During this time, he also worked in New Orleans, Louisiana. Bonsall returned to Ohio in late 1859.

In September 1862, Bonsall joined the Union army. He was attached to the engineering department of the Army of the Cumberland and assigned to photograph maps at the headquarters of General William S. Rosecrans. While with the Army, he also photographed soldiers and officers and documented military building and engineering projects and the aftermath of battles. In particular, Bonsall documented the area and projects around Chattanooga, Tennessee, during the Siege of Chattanooga in late 1863 and into 1864.

Bonsall was discharged from the Army in 1865 and following his wartime service returned to running his photography gallery. In 1871, he returned to Leavenworth, and in 1872 relocated to Arkansas City, Kansas, where he worked as a photographer, as well as in local government. In Arkansas City, he apprenticed photographer William S. Prettyman. Bonsall died on September 8, 1909.

Acquisition information:
Received as four separate accessions: Items 13-30, and 41, gift of John Boland, December 2008. Items 40, 42-45, and 47-51, purchased for the Huntington from the Andrew Smith Gallery by the Library Collectors' Council, January 2009. Items 1-12, 31-39, 46, and 52-53, gift of John Boland, November 2009. Items 29.1, 29.2, 29.3, gift of Claire Lozier and Andrew Smith, December 2019.
Arrangement:

The photographs are housed in 2 boxes according to the item numbers assigned by Huntington staff, with larger items removed to Box 2; items are not arranged according to any organizational schema.

Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Note:

Finding aid last updated on February 25, 2020.

Indexed terms

Subjects:
African American soldiers. -- Photographs.
Soldiers -- Portraits.
Military camps -- Photographs.
Waterfalls -- Georgia -- Photographs.
Photographs.

Access and use

Restrictions:

Open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services Department. For more information, contact Reader Services.

Terms of access:

The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. The responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining necessary permissions rests with the researcher.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Isaac Bonsall Collection of Photographs, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Location of this collection:
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108, US
Contact:
(626) 405-2129
reference@huntington.org
Website
Photographs
Note:

Titles devised by the cataloger are enclosed in square brackets.

Background

Note:

Titles devised by the cataloger are enclosed in square brackets.

Contents
Photographs (Items 1-13, 16-33, 35-41)
Containers:
Box 1
Contents
[Portrait of a Union soldier], approximately 1863-1864
Containers:
Item 1
Dimensions:
11 x 7.5 cm

Background

Dimensions:
11 x 7.5 cm
[U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Wm. S. Rosecrans], approximately 1862
Containers:
Item 2
Dimensions:
11 x 7 cm

Background

Dimensions:
11 x 7 cm
[Line of shelters covered with branches near Chattanooga Tennessee], approximately 1864
Containers:
Item 3
Dimensions:
7 x 11 cm

Background

Dimensions:
7 x 11 cm
[Tents of Battery Mitchell & Co., Chattanooga Tennessee], approximately 1864
Containers:
Item 4
Dimensions:
15 x 22 cm

Background

Dimensions:
15 x 22 cm
[Stone house with men on porch and with horses, Chattanooga Tennessee], approximately 1864
Containers:
Item 5
Dimensions:
15 x 22 cm

Background

Dimensions:
15 x 22 cm
[Artillery squad in a Union Redoubt, Chattanooga Tennessee], approximately 1864
Containers:
Item 6
Dimensions:
15 x 22 cm

Background

Dimensions:
15 x 22 cm
[Aiming siege guns at Lunette Mitchell, inside of Fortress Rosecrans, Chattanooga, Tennessee], approximately 1864
Containers:
Item 7
Dimensions:
15 x 22 cm

Background

Dimensions:
15 x 22 cm
[Artillery and infantry squads by siege guns in Redoubt inside Fortress Rosecrans], approximately 1864
Containers:
Item 8
Dimensions:
15 x 22 cm

Background

Dimensions:
15 x 22 cm
[Overview of Chattanooga, Tennessee, looking toward Lookout Mountain], approximately 1864
Containers:
Item 9
Dimensions:
15 x 22 cm

Background

Dimensions:
15 x 22 cm
[Army post below Signal Hill, Chattanooga, Tennessee], approximately 1864
Containers:
Item 10
Dimensions:
15 x 22 cm

Background

Dimensions:
15 x 22 cm
House presented to Lt. Genl. U.S. Grant by the Citizens of Galena, Ills., approximately 1865
Containers:
Item 11
Dimensions:
oval 18.5 x 13.5 cm
Note:

Title transcribed from handwritten note on verso.

Background

Dimensions:
oval 18.5 x 13.5 cm
Note:

Title transcribed from handwritten note on verso.

[Machinery and elevation drawings of Chattanooga Water Works], approximately 1864
Containers:
Item 12
Dimensions:
20.5 x 24 cm
Note:

Photograph of drawings.

Background

Dimensions:
20.5 x 24 cm
Note:

Photograph of drawings.

[Union army artillery squad posed with cannon], approximately 1864
Containers:
Item 13
Dimensions:
13.5 x 18.5 cm

Background

Dimensions:
13.5 x 18.5 cm
[Tents of Battery Mitchell & Co., Chattanooga Tennessee], approximately 1864
Containers:
Item 16
Dimensions:
15 x 22 cm

Background

Dimensions:
15 x 22 cm
[Skirmish site at farm near Lookout Mt.], approximately 1863-1864
Containers:
Item 17
Dimensions:
13.5 x 18.5 cm

Background

Dimensions:
13.5 x 18.5 cm
[Union cavalry squad and carriage traveling, Tennessee], approximately 1864
Containers:
Item 18
Dimensions:
13.5 x 18.5 cm

Background

Dimensions:
13.5 x 18.5 cm
[Back view of large clapboard house, Chattanooga Tennessee], approximately 1864
Containers:
Item 19
Dimensions:
15 x 22 cm

Background

Dimensions:
15 x 22 cm
[Two-story house with veranda, Chattanooga, Tennessee], approximately 1864
Containers:
Item 20
Dimensions:
7 x 11 cm

Background

Dimensions:
7 x 11 cm
[Large wooden clapboard house, Chattanooga, Tennessee], approximately 1864
Containers:
Item 21
Dimensions:
15 x 22 cm

Background

Dimensions:
15 x 22 cm
[Large wooden clapboard house, Chattanooga, Tennessee], approximately 1864
Containers:
Item 22
Dimensions:
15 x 22 cm

Background

Dimensions:
15 x 22 cm
View of mess at supper [Chattanooga, Tennessee], approximately 1864
Containers:
Item 23
Dimensions:
22 x 15 cm
Note:

Title transcribed from handwritten note on verso.

Background

Dimensions:
22 x 15 cm
Note:

Title transcribed from handwritten note on verso.

[Group of 7 Union Army soldiers posed in demonstration of eating at mess, possibly Chattanooga, Tennessee], approximately 1862-1863
Containers:
Item 24
Dimensions:
11 x 7 cm

Background

Dimensions:
11 x 7 cm
[Seated Union army officer], approximately 1862-1863
Containers:
Item 25
Dimensions:
11 x 7 cm

Background

Dimensions:
11 x 7 cm
Union Army Major/Lt. Colonel, possibly at General Rosecrans' headquarters, Chattanooga, Tennessee], approximately 1862-1863
Containers:
Item 26
Dimensions:
11 x 7 cm

Background

Dimensions:
11 x 7 cm
[Elevation drawing of Chattanooga Water Works by C.H. Elliott], approximately 1864
Containers:
Item 27
Dimensions:
12 x 25.5 cm
Note:

Photograph of drawings.

Background

Dimensions:
12 x 25.5 cm
Note:

Photograph of drawings.

[Crawfish Spring, Georgia], 1863
Containers:
Item 28
Dimensions:
26 x 33 cm

Background

Dimensions:
26 x 33 cm
[Grazing cattle and pigs in Rocky Valley near Arkansas Kansas], approximately 1875-1880
Containers:
Item 29
Dimensions:
20 x 25.5 cm

Background

Dimensions:
20 x 25.5 cm
[Group portrait of large group of men, well-dressed, with hats and many wearing ribbons, as for a convention], approximately 1881
Containers:
Item 29.1
Dimensions:
25.5 x 31 cm
Note:

Includes several U.S. flags and numerous rifles. Concession tents in background. Possibly Arkansas City, Kansas or nearby. (Former Sgt. I. H. Bonsall was one of a roster of veterans that established a new encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic in 1881. Possibly a scene of veterans.)

Background

Dimensions:
25.5 x 31 cm
Note:

Includes several U.S. flags and numerous rifles. Concession tents in background. Possibly Arkansas City, Kansas or nearby. (Former Sgt. I. H. Bonsall was one of a roster of veterans that established a new encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic in 1881. Possibly a scene of veterans.)

[Portrait of an unidentified man with beard wearing white shirt and plain coat], approximately 1875-1880
Containers:
Item 29.2
Dimensions:
15 x 12 cm
Note:

Attributed to Bonsall by donor. Possibly a self-portrait[?].

Background

Dimensions:
15 x 12 cm
Note:

Attributed to Bonsall by donor. Possibly a self-portrait[?].

[View of stores and businesses on Summit Street, Arkansas City, Kansas], approximately 1875-1880
Containers:
Item 29.3
Dimensions:
20 x 25.5 cm
Note:

Shows storefronts, boardwalk, horses, carriages, businesses with signs. C. R. Sipes' hardware store, seen at left, was established around 1870 on Summit Street. (Source: William G. Cutler, “History of the State of Kansas, Cowley County, Part 9").

Background

Dimensions:
20 x 25.5 cm
Note:

Shows storefronts, boardwalk, horses, carriages, businesses with signs. C. R. Sipes' hardware store, seen at left, was established around 1870 on Summit Street. (Source: William G. Cutler, “History of the State of Kansas, Cowley County, Part 9").

After the charge, 1862
Containers:
Item 30
Dimensions:
image 15 x 22 cm, mount 25.5 x 30.5 cm
Note:

Title transcribed from handwritten frame. Matted; "Entered … 1862, by N. Brown, Photographer …"--copyright statement on image; "Fort Robbinette near Corinth … Sept. 6th & 7th 1862"--note on verso

Background

Dimensions:
image 15 x 22 cm, mount 25.5 x 30.5 cm
Note:

Title transcribed from handwritten frame. Matted; "Entered … 1862, by N. Brown, Photographer …"--copyright statement on image; "Fort Robbinette near Corinth … Sept. 6th & 7th 1862"--note on verso

Fort Robbinette at Corinth [Mississippi], 6th & 7th of Sept. 1862
Containers:
Item 31
Dimensions:
image 15 x 22 cm, mount 25.5 x 30.5 cm
Note:

Title and date transcribed from handwritten mote on verso. Matted; "Entered … 1862, by N. Brown, Photographer …"--copyright statement on image

Background

Dimensions:
image 15 x 22 cm, mount 25.5 x 30.5 cm
Note:

Title and date transcribed from handwritten mote on verso. Matted; "Entered … 1862, by N. Brown, Photographer …"--copyright statement on image

[Three-story house with picket fence, Chattanooga Tennessee], approximately 1864
Containers:
Item 32
Dimensions:
image 14.5 x 18 cm, mount 29.5 x 24.5

Background

Dimensions:
image 14.5 x 18 cm, mount 29.5 x 24.5
[Military Bridge, Chattanooga, Tennessee, taken from the Navy Yard], approximately 1863-1864
Containers:
Item 33
Dimensions:
26 x 31.5 cm

Background

Dimensions:
26 x 31.5 cm
[Chattanooga Railroad Yards #3, Tennessee], approximately 1863-1864
Containers:
Item 35
Dimensions:
25 x 33 cm

Background

Dimensions:
25 x 33 cm
[Man at Lulah Lake, Lookout Mt., Georgia], approximately 1863
Containers:
Item 36
Dimensions:
32 x 26 cm

Background

Dimensions:
32 x 26 cm
[Slope of Lookout Mt., Georgia], approximately 1863
Containers:
Item 37
Dimensions:
26 x 33.5 cm

Background

Dimensions:
26 x 33.5 cm
[Lulah Falls, Lookout Mt., Georgia], approximately 1863
Containers:
Item 38
Dimensions:
26 x 33 cm

Background

Dimensions:
26 x 33 cm
[Tennessee River near Chattanooga, Tennessee], approximately 1863
Containers:
Item 39
Dimensions:
26.5 x 32.5 cm

Background

Dimensions:
26.5 x 32.5 cm
[Indian Mound, near Chattanooga, Tennessee, sanitary garden for convalescents], approximately 1864
Containers:
Item 40
Dimensions:
26 x 32.5 cm

Background

Dimensions:
26 x 32.5 cm
[Lulah Falls, Lookout Mt., Georgia], approximately 1863
Containers:
Item 41
Dimensions:
26 x 33.5 cm

Background

Dimensions:
26 x 33.5 cm
[Chattanooga, Tennessee], approximately 1864
Containers:
Item 43
Dimensions:
26 x 32.5 cm

Background

Dimensions:
26 x 32.5 cm
[Camp of U.S. Colored Infantry at Chattanooga, Tenn., near Sanitary Garden], approximately 1864
Containers:
Item 44
Dimensions:
26.5 x 33 cm

Background

Dimensions:
26.5 x 33 cm
Oversize and matted photographs (Items 14-15, 34, 42, 45-53)
Containers:
Box 2
Contents
[Partial artillery squad in a Union redoubt, Fortress Rosecrans, Murfreesboro, Tennessee], approximately 1863-1864
Containers:
Item 14
Dimensions:
15 x 22 cm
Note:

"No. 5" written on verso; matted with Item 15.

Background

Dimensions:
15 x 22 cm
Note:

"No. 5" written on verso; matted with Item 15.

View of the tents of Battery Mitchell & Company …, approximately 1863
Containers:
Item 15
Dimensions:
15 x 22 cm
Note:

Title transcribed from handwritten note on verso; matted with Item 14.

Background

Dimensions:
15 x 22 cm
Note:

Title transcribed from handwritten note on verso; matted with Item 14.

[Close-order Black Platoon Drill in Parade Plaza near Chattanooga, Tennessee], approximately 1864
Containers:
Item 34
Dimensions:
26 x 31.5 cm
Note:

Matted.

Background

Dimensions:
26 x 31.5 cm
Note:

Matted.

[Group of Union Military and Civilian Men, Chattanooga Tennessee], approximately 1863-1864
Containers:
Item 42
Dimensions:
31 x 26 cm
Note:

Matted.

Background

Dimensions:
31 x 26 cm
Note:

Matted.

Military bridge across the Tennessee River at Chattanooga built Oct 1863, approximately 1863-1864
Containers:
Item 45
Dimensions:
27 x 34.5 cm
Note:

Title transcribed from handwritten note on verso; matted.

Background

Dimensions:
27 x 34.5 cm
Note:

Title transcribed from handwritten note on verso; matted.

Genl. Thomas and Staff, and Genl. King, Point Lookout Lookout Mt., approximately 1863
Containers:
Item 46
Dimensions:
image 28 x 22 cm, mount 40.5 x 38 cm

Background

Dimensions:
image 28 x 22 cm, mount 40.5 x 38 cm
Genl. Hooker on Point Lookout, Lookout, Mt., approximately 1864
Containers:
Item 47
Dimensions:
image 28 x 21.5 cm, mount 45 x 38 cm
Note:

Title transcribed from handwritten caption.

Background

Dimensions:
image 28 x 21.5 cm, mount 45 x 38 cm
Note:

Title transcribed from handwritten caption.

Steamboat [Bridgeport], U.S. Navy Yards, 1864
Containers:
Item 48
Dimensions:
image 25 x 33 cm, mount 33 x 43 cm
Note:

Title and date transcribed from handwritten caption; matted.

Background

Dimensions:
image 25 x 33 cm, mount 33 x 43 cm
Note:

Title and date transcribed from handwritten caption; matted.

[Steamboat Kingston on River Chattanooga, Tennessee], approximately 1863-1864
Containers:
Item 49
Dimensions:
image 26 x 30.5 cm, mount 35.5 x 43 cm

Background

Dimensions:
image 26 x 30.5 cm, mount 35.5 x 43 cm
[Infantry company in formation, Chattanooga Railroad Yards], approximately 1863-1864
Containers:
Item 50
Dimensions:
32.5 x 36 cm
Note:

Matted.

Background

Dimensions:
32.5 x 36 cm
Note:

Matted.

The Navy Yard Chattanooga, Tenn., Capt. Slayton's Mill. I.H. Bonsall, photographer, approximately 1863-1864
Containers:
Item 51
Dimensions:
image 26 x 32 cm, mount 38 x 45.5 cm
Note:

Title transcribed from handwritten caption.

Background

Dimensions:
image 26 x 32 cm, mount 38 x 45.5 cm
Note:

Title transcribed from handwritten caption.

Officers, 1st U.S. V.V. Eng'rs … I.H. Bonsall, Art., approximately 1865
Containers:
Item 52
Dimensions:
mount 38 x 46 cm
Note:

39 head-and-shoulder portraits of the officers of the 1st United States Veteran Volunteer Engineers, centered around a larger portrait of Col. William E. Merrill, pasted on board with decorative border, with names captioned below each photograph. Title transcribed from handwritten caption.

Background

Dimensions:
mount 38 x 46 cm
Note:

39 head-and-shoulder portraits of the officers of the 1st United States Veteran Volunteer Engineers, centered around a larger portrait of Col. William E. Merrill, pasted on board with decorative border, with names captioned below each photograph. Title transcribed from handwritten caption.

Non-Com'd State, 1st U.S.V.V. Engr's, approximately 1865
Containers:
Item 53
Dimensions:
mount 38 x 46 cm
Note:

8 head-and-shoulder portraits of non-commissioned officers of the 1st United States Veteran Volunteer Engineers, centered around a larger portrait of Lieutenant Horace D. Olds, pasted on board with decorative border, with names captioned below each photograph. Title transcribed from handwritten caption.

Background

Dimensions:
mount 38 x 46 cm
Note:

8 head-and-shoulder portraits of non-commissioned officers of the 1st United States Veteran Volunteer Engineers, centered around a larger portrait of Lieutenant Horace D. Olds, pasted on board with decorative border, with names captioned below each photograph. Title transcribed from handwritten caption.