CDV- 1st Lt. Gustavus Murray Bascom, 13th U.S. Infantry

A very clean carte de visite by C.R. Savage, Salt Lake City, Utah., is inscribed on the back, “G.M. Bascom, 13th Inf., March 12, 73.”  Bascom was a graduate of Norwich University, and prior to the Civil War was Ohio Governor Cox’s private secretary, 1860-61. When the war began, he was the state drill master, and then volunteered, being promoted to captain and Aide de Camp of Ohio Vols, April 1861; Assistant Adjutant General Volunteers with ranks of Captain through Lt.Colonel to November of 1865.

Among the battles participated in are; South Mountain, Antietam where he was breveted captain for gallantry; Dalton and Reseca, Ga. in Sherman’s Army on the march to the sea.

For Faithful and meritorious service during the war, Bascom was breveted Lt Col and Col. of Volunteers and mustered out in 1866. He then was commissioned a 1st Lt., 17th U.S. Infantry in 1867; and served as regimental adjutant until 1869.  With the reorganization of the army regiments of that year, he was transferred to the 13th Infantry in July of 1869; this time as regimental quartermaster while the regiment was in Montana

In 1871, the regiment moved south, with regimental headquarter at Fort Fred Steele, DT (Wyoming), and later into Texas and the southwest.  Bascom was promoted to captain in 1873.

He died shortly after being thrown form a carriage which he was driving in Portsmouth, RI, in 1884.  “He was one of the ablest officers in the army. His record proves his qualities as a soldier. Among those of his command, he was extremely popular, his men not only admiring him for his military attributes, but loving him for a considerate and kind hearted officer, who never left anything undone that lay in his power for the comfort and welfare of those under him; they regarded him as a father.”  (taken from Norwich University history).

Fine photo quality.