Photograph by
Unidentified
Subject of
Lee, Fitz, American, 1866 - 1899
Date
1899
Medium
photographic gelatin and silver on photographic paper on card mount
Dimensions
H x W (card): 6 7/16 × 4 1/8 in. (16.4 × 10.5 cm)
H x W (image): 5 7/16 × 3 7/8 in. (13.8 × 9.9 cm)
Caption
Pvt. Fitz Lee served in Troop M, 10th Cavalry, during the Spanish American War. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions on June 30, 1898, while aboard the USS Florida at Tayabacoa, Cuba. A landing party from the ship attempted to link up with Cuban insurgents ashore but was ambushed. After their boats were sunk, at least 16 wounded survivors became prisoners. Private Lee and three other privates volunteered to go ashore and “in the face of the enemy” they rescued the wounded.
Description
A cabinet card photograph depicting a black and white image of Buffalo Soldier Fitz Lee. He is wearing a hat, white shirt and a striped necktie along with dark colored pants and jacket. Each sleeve of his jacket has a single chevron on it. The Medal of Honor is pinned to the left breast of his jacket. He is standing with his right arm resting on a chair back. A jacket with a single chevron on each sleeve is displayed draped over the back of the chair. The back of the card is blank.
Classification
Media Arts-Photography
Type
cabinet photographs
gelatin silver prints
portraits
Topic
Buffalo Soldiers
Military
Photography
Spanish-American War, 1898
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
Object number
2016.5.2.49
Restrictions & Rights
Public domain
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd52f164217-1e97-40e4-9a99-3f0b5dda3e51

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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