Photo Record
Images
Metadata
Object Name |
Tintype |
Title |
William Norris |
Catalog Number |
0985.06.00161 |
Description |
Quarter-plate tintype of a man seated in chair, in double-breasted uniform frock coat, turned 3/4 to viewer's right, hair parted on side, cropped near top of ear, full moustache and beard, top of white shirt collar visible, tie knot visible, 10 buttons visible, three stars visible on collar, three cuff buttons on left sleeve of coat, sword belt or canteen strap across chest, braid edging frock coat on left side, loose trousers, legs crossed left over right, right elbow on table, right shirt cuff visible, hands clasped left over right fingers, sword hilt visible leaning against chest, hat with feather plume on table and maybe gloves; double elliptical gilt frame embossed with scrollwork at corners; perserver stamped with simple gilt foliate scroll; embossed leather-covered wood case with floral and scrolled foliate motif on exterior obverse and reverse sectons; double brass latches and latch hooks intact, gilt edging around exterior of case; obverse and reverse case sections detached from eachother; interior leather edged in gilt decorative work, purple velvet door pad intact in door section, white label with "212" printed in black adhered to upper left corner; in separate envelope but formerly attached to center of velvet door pad is a dried bloom of Cape Jasmine; Typed label with photograph and flower bloom reads: Norris, William Colonel, Engineers Chief of Signal Corps with sprig of Cape Jasmine "Ever was & ever will be true. "We care not for events & power as a nation. All we wish is to be free and happy" Tappahannock 1925 |
Medium |
Brass/Glass/Iron/Lacquer/Leather/Metal/Photographic Emulsion/Velvet |
Studio |
Unknown |
Photographer |
Unknown |
Owner Regiment |
Confederate Signal Corps Signal and Secret Service Bureau |
Provenance |
Photograph of William Norris wearing a uniform with his rank of colonel, which he was promoted on April 25, 1865, as Commissioner of Prisoner Exchange. Norris was a graduate of Yale University, then practiced law in New Orleans until he went to California for the gold rush. After a stint as a judge advocate with the U.S. Navy's Pacific Squadron, he married the daughter of a former U.S. consul and returned to his native Maryland. An outspoken Southern sympathizer, Norris went south and served as a signal officer and, in May 1862, was appointed chief of the newly created Confederate Signal Corps. Under Norris's leadership, the Signal Corps became the "Signal and Secret Service Bureau" and the center of Confederate covert operations. |
People |
Norris, William |
Search Terms |
Confederate Signal Corps Maryland Signal Corps Secret Service Bureau Special and Secret Bureau of the War Department Confederate Army Confederate Secret Service |
Subjects |
Cased photographs Engineering Engineers Espionage Gold rushes Military officers Photographic studios Photographs Soldiers Spies |