Today’s episode is an unexpected journey down the research rabbit hole. It begins with an 1860s photograph of an unidentified man with a graying beard who appears to be a railroad conductor and ends with the tragic story of the photographer who made this portrait. Here's the story.

"Life on the Civil War Research Trail" is hosted by Ronald S. Coddington, Editor and Publisher of Military Images magazine. Learn more about our mission to showcase, interpret and preserve Civil War portrait photography at militaryimagesmagazine.com and shopmilitaryimages.com.

This episode is brought to you in part by Medhurst & Company, offering fine images and documents to collectors. Visit mikemedhurst.com for the most up-to-date selection.

Image: Ronald S. Coddington Collection, Library of Congress

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