Shot by prison guards!  William C. Raulston enlisted in August 1861 as a Captain in the 81^st New York Infantry.  He was promoted to Major and Lt. Col. in 1862, and was discharged in September 1863.  He reorganized and became Col. of the 24^th NY Cavalry on 1/27/64.  According to the Civil War Database, he led the 24^th Cavalry at…

“…the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, the North Anna, Totopotomy, Cold Harbor and Bethesda Church.  Its losses at Cold Harbor aggregated 84 killed, wounded and missing.  It arrived before Petersburg on June 16, and in the assault of that day met with one of the severest losses sustained by any regiment engaged, having 38 killed, 156 wounded and 3 missing, a total of 197.

At the mine explosion, it left 9 killed and wounded and was again active at the Weldon railroad in August, losing 13.  It suffered a loss of 60 in the engagement at Popular Spring Church, and was active at Peebles’ farm in October.  It was then mounted and assigned to the 1^st brigade, 2^nd cavalry division, Army of the Potomac, which under Gen. Crook, participated in the actions at Hatcher’s run, Prince George Court House, Stony Creek Station, Three Creeks Halifax road, Lee’s mill and the final Appomattox campaign in which the regiment lost 73 killed, wounded and missing.

Col. Raulston was captured by the enemy on Sept. 29, 1864, and in tempting to escape, was shot on Dec. 10, by one of the sentinels at Danville, dying from the effects on the 15^th.”

This CDV shows Raulston seated in uniform in his home town of Oswego, N.Y. with the photographer “Gray’s Gallery, Oswego, N.Y. Card de Visits, four for $1.00” on the reverse.  It is signed in ink “Col. W. C. Raulston 24 NY Cav.”  Condition of the CDV is very good with an area on the reverse showing where tape had been removed.  Quite an amazing adventure for a full Colonel! 

#PO5 – Price $435