Artifact of the Quarter | June 2020

Among the artifacts recently acquired by MCWI is a carte-de-visite (cdv) of Private George B. Lamphear. A farmer from Chelmsford, Massachusetts, Lamphear was 25 years old when he enlisted in the 30th Massachusetts Infantry on Jan. 1, 1862. During the battle of Cedar Creek on Oct. 19, 1864, Lamphear suffered a mortal wound. After the battle, Lamphear was evacuated from the battlefield and transported to the massive field hospital complex constructed in Winchester following the Third Battle of Winchester. While some records indicate Lamphear succumbed to his wound two days after the battle, others suggest he lasted until Oct. 27, 1864. The location of Lamphear’s remains is unknown.