There's a new development regarding the image of the soldier holding the Whipple cap! I had forgotten that I posted about it here on the forum and neglected to share the soldier's read identity earlier. Several months after the initial photo was sold on eBay, and also after I had purchased the signed 1866 image of Gilbert Prindle, I stumbled upon a large albumen portrait of a similar looking man (attached). This is signed "John Prindle" on the back which turns out to be a relative of sharpshooter Gilbert Prindle. John enlisted in Co. C of the 7th Vermont Infantry in late 1861 and was subsequently promoted to QM Sergeant, 1st Lt., and Captain; he re-enlisted in early 1864 and served with the regiment until being mustered out at Brownsville, Texas in March 1866.
The image of the soldier holding the Whipple cap purported to be the sharpshooter Gilbert Prindle is in fact an early war portrait of his relative John, an infantryman. While the Whipple caps were issued to the USSS early in the war they were also issued to many New England units from Massachusetts, Vermont, and New Hampshire.
Brian White Collection.
_________________
Brian WhiteWambaugh, White, & Companyhttp://www.wwandcompany.com----------------------------------
Randolph Mess, U.S. Sharpshooters