This lovely dual portrait is of the Hawkins brothers in late 1861, both soldiers in the Wright (GA) Legion. The Legion became the 38th Georgia Infantry in April 1862.
They were both present on the Maryland Campaign of 1862: Charles (left) then the 2nd Lieutenant of Company E, about 21 years old, John their 19 year old 2nd Sergeant. John had been wounded at Gaines’ Mill, VA in June 1862 and was left in a hospital in Frederick, MD about 10 September and was captured. Charles was with his company at Sharpsburg on 17 September and was wounded there.
Both survived the campaign, but Charles was killed 9 months later at Winchester, VA. John was detailed as a sub-enrolling officer back home in Oglethorpe County, GA in February 1863 but returned to the field by September 1864 and was surrendered at Appomattox Court House, VA in April 1865. He lived to age 86.
Notes
That photograph is online from the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. It was on loan from its owner David Wynn Vaughan. David has kindly shared several images from his collection with me in the past.
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