Unidentified Texas Militia Soldier [Carte de Viste]
Pressed black fur felt body with a polished black leather band around the lower edge of the helmet. Brass infantry side buttons, spike, spike base, and eagle front plate.
Name/Title
Unidentified Texas Militia Soldier [Carte de Viste]Description
Circa 1890s carte de visited of an unidentified corporal of the Texas militia wearing an 1881 dress uniform. The U.S. Army 1881 enlisted dress helmet of a pressed black fur felt body with a polished black leather band around the lower edge of the helmet, the spike denotes infantry. Brass infantry side buttons, spike, spike base, and eagle front plate. The tunic has 1880s-1890s Texas state seal coat buttons (TX35).Context
After the Texas Militia Act of 1879, the governor continued to act as the commander-in-chief, leaving the daily administration to his adjutant general. State troops now formed one brigade with three regiments and one separate battalion. Texas militia companies retained their independence until reorganized into battalions and brigades in 1879; however, until well into the twentieth century, decentralization of unit administration seemed the norm. At the same time, state authorities began to consolidate their control over the militia. In 1879 the legislature approved the adjutant general's policy of forming only uniformed volunteer militia companies. This focused the state's militia effort toward a centralized Texas Volunteer Guard. By 1880 the Texas militia consisted of forty-seven company-size units, thirty-eight White and nine "colored." Membership declined after 1891 to an aggregate strength of 1,960 men in 1898. This carte de visite was purchased with the Unidentified Drummer Boy. Both have the same backgrounds and this is unmarked.Category
Texas in Focus
Bayou Bend