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Cdv of Colonel William Jackson, 18th NY Infantry
Cdv of Colonel William A. Jackson, 18th NY Infantry. Jackson was a prominent Albany attorney who gained appointment as the colonel of the 18th New York Infantry early in the Civil War. He was embroiled in scandal just prior to his death in November 1861.
Great view of the colonel holding his sword, Nice period pencil id on lower front mount.
No backmark, wear as shown in the scan.

$150.00 plus shipping

William A. Jackson

Residence was not listed; 29 years old.

Enlisted on 5/14/1861 at Albany, NY as a Colonel.

On 5/17/1861 he was commissioned into Field & Staff NY 18th Infantry He died of disease on 11/11/1861 at Washington, DC

When the first volunteers left in 1861, there was great optimism in the idea of a short war and a quick victory on the battlefield. Bull Run, Ball's Bluff and the recurring image of the Union Army tumbling back to the Washington defenses after disastrous defeats destroyed that image of easy and decisive victory. Throughout the winter of 1861-62, the armies encamped and waited for the spring's better weather, for when spring would return, the armies would move again and rejoin the strategic dance that each army hoped would lead to victory. Despite the inherent tragedy of death and loss, war created opportunity. In New York, those who were politically connected gained government contracts to provide such staples as blankets, shoes and uniforms to the troops. At least two New York military commanders took advantage of such opportunities and found themselves mired in scandal. Albany's own Colonel William Jackson of the 18th New York Infantry and found himself under inquiry for illegally profiting from war contracts. So, too, did Colonel James M. Fuller of the 105th New York Infantry, a former Methodist preacher, who was forced to resign after being indicted on charges of filing false sustenance vouchers. A Harper's Weekly cartoon published on Aug. 10, 1861, lamented the "Albany contractors who have influence in Washington" who were profiting off the war.