Unidentified

Printed: Matson Bros., 162 Main St., Salt Lake City.

W.F. Reeves / Camp Douglas, U.T. ...

 

Tintype sewn into cardstock. The face is slightly tinted and the military buttons have been painted gold. This is really a most amazing artifact. This is the face of a man who survived over two years of Hell.

Written on front: W.F. Reeves

Written on verso: Camp Douglas, U.T., Jan. 24th / 66. Received Feb. the 17th, 1866.

Walter Francis Reeves was my great-great grandfather. He was born in Ohio, near Kent, Oct. 13, 1838, the youngest child of Walter Francis Reeves and Martha (Gee) Reeves. His Dad was a vet of the War of 1812 and died when Walter the 2nd was very young.

Even so, since Walter the 2nd shared his father's name, he was known as "Frank."

The Reeves family moved to Michigan. The early 1860s was something of whirl for Frank. He married Lydia Melissa Upham in 1861. Became a father in 1862. And then joined the Union Army at the very end of 1863.

Frank was one of Custer's Wolverines, being a private in the 5th Michigan Cavalry (Co. G). He took part in many battles, including the Wilderness, Cold Harbor, Five Forks, and Appomattox. In some of these battles, Frank might've been shooting at relatives of mine on my Dad's side who were serving in the Confederate Army. 

My grandmother, who remembered him well, told me Frank used to call U.S. Grant "a drunken butcher." Although he was proud he served his country, he carried very bitter memories of the War. It never ceases to astound me that I heard opinions of a Union vet only second hand, and know quite a bit about his personality from people who remembered him. Our history is closer than we think.

After marching in the Grand Review, Frank didn't get to go home to Michigan. Instead they transferred him into the 1st Michigan Calvary and sent him out West in places like Fort Leavenworth, Fort Laramie, and as shown in this tintype, Fort Douglas, Utah Territory. He did take part in some battles with the Native Americans, including at Willow Springs, Dakota Territory, Aug. 12, 1865.

Frank was honorably discharged at Salt Lake City on Mar. 10, 1866. So far as I know, at that time he had been the farthest West of any of my ancestors. He would return.

Postcard - Salt Lake City, Utah

"Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Tabernacle Organ, Temple Square - Salt Lake City, Utah. The nationally acclaimed Mormon Tabernacle Choir is home in Salt Lake City. Its weekly broadcasts from the Tabernacle on Temple Square is the oldest coast-to-coast program on the radio. The 375-member choir, formed 125 years ago, regularly tours the country. Public organ recitals are conducted on the great organ in the Tabernacle at noon (except on Sunday) and summer evenings at 7:30. The choir sings each Sunday morning in a performance that lasts 30 minutes beginning at 9:30. The public is also invited to the Choir rehearsals Thursday evenings at 7:30."

1970s is my guess. It was mailed to me in 1979.

Postcard - Salt Lake City, Utah

"Temple Block, Salt Lake City, Utah. The Temple Block is a ten acre square, encompassed by a solid stone and adobe wall, 12 feet high and 3 feet thick, with large gates on each of the four sides. Within the walls are the Great 'Mormon' Temple, Tabernacle, Assembly Hall, Bureau of Information, Museum and the First House built in Utah."

Looks like 1920s.

Postcard - Salt Lake City, Utah

"Eagle Gate, looking towards State Capitol. This structure originally holding double gates, formed part of the unique cobblestone wall around the property of Brigham Young. For several years it has been preserved as a land mark, having been reconstructed of cut stone. The Eagle, originally of carved wood, has been sheathed with copper, in order that it may withstand the elements. It has no special significance to the 'Mormons,' except that they are always glad to see the outspread and protecting wings of our noble bird of freedom. The Eagle Gate stands at the head of the longest straight street in the world."

1920s?