Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Thursday, February 19, 1863

I was off duty today and went to town to have my likeness taken.¹

__________

¹ Upon inquiring of Mr. Downing how he came to have his "likeness" taken twice so close together (see Feb. 7), he laughingly confessed that it was not because the first was not a good picture, but because it was not a proper picture. Said he, “To tell the truth, I had it taken dressed in a major's uniform, and it wouldn't have been safe to let it be seen.” He destroyed it and had another taken. — Ed.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 101