American Historical Ephemera and Photography

A group of 5 photographs, highlighted by 3 images of Charles Hamlin, the son of Vice President Hannibal Hamlin, including: a sixth plate ambrotype of Hamlin, taken before the war, possibly while Hamlin was attending Bowdoin College in Brunswick, ME, ca 1853-1857. Housed in Union case. -- CDV of Charles Hamlin wearing the shoulder straps of lieutenant colonel. Washington, DC: Henry Ulke, ca 1865. -- Post-war cabinet card of Hamlin. Bangor, ME: Weston, ca late 19th century.

[With:] CDV of a young woman identified on verso as Hamlin's wife, Sarah, although she is erroneously identified as "Sallie." Washington, DC: Henry Ulke, ca 1865. -- Cabinet card of a 5-piece band, including Charles Hamlin's son, Charles (seated at lower right). Exeter, NH: W.N. Hobbs, ca 1877-1878. With "'PSA' Sodality '77-78'" written on verso and faint penciled identification, "Rt. lower is Charles Hamlin, Louise's father."

Together, 5 images.

Charles Hamlin was as prepared to enter military service as any Unionist in the north. He was commissioned as major of the 18th Maine Volunteers in July, 1862, then served with his regiment through the winter of 1862 to 1863 (and through the re-designation of his unit to the 1st Maine Volunteer Heavy Artillery). He then transferred to the US Army Adjutant General Department in April, 1863. He served first in this capacity as the assistant adjutant general of the II Division of the III Army Corps in the Army of the Potomac, then as an assistant adjutant general on the staff of Brigadier General Albion P. Howe. A faithful soldier throughout the war, Hamlin was brevetted lieutenant colonel, colonel, and brigadier general, US Volunteers at the end of the war. Along with his sister, Hamlin was at Ford's Theater on the night of Lincoln's assassination.

Following the war, he returned to his home in Bangor, Maine, becoming a City Solicitor in 1867. In 1883 and 1885, Hamlin served terms in the Maine House of Representatives, becoming the Speaker during his second term. He also served as president of the Eastern Maine General Hospital. Hamlin died in 1911, at the age of 72, and he is buried at Mount Hope Cemetery in Bangor, Maine.