Antietam: Seeking a photo of Private Oliver Case

Killed at Antietam, Oliver Case is buried in Simsbury (Conn.) Cemetery.

John Rogers

Nearly 150 years ago, Oliver Case, a 22-year-old private in the 8th Connecticut from Simsbury, carried a small pocket bible into the Battle of Antietam. A young man with a way with words, he inscribed inside the front cover, "If you die, die like a man!" Those words proved prophetic. Case was killed late in the afternoon of Sept. 17, 1862, as his regiment valianty attempted to push the rebels into Sharpsburg. His story is well-chronicled on a blog by Georgia native John Rogers, who remarkably purchased Case's bible for $3 at a community yard sale in Germantown, Md., 19 years ago. How this neat, little treasure arrived at that yard sale is one of history's small mysteries. There's one big missing piece, however, from Oliver Case's story: a photograph of the soldier. Many men, of course, had their photograph taken before they went off to fight in the Civil War. Have you seen one of Case? Perhaps you have a photo of him in your collection or have seen one in a museum.  If so, contact me here.

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FACES OF THE CIVIL WAR: Stories and photos of common soldiers who served during the war.
MORE ON 16TH CONNECTICUT SOLDIERS: Tales of the men in the hard-luck regiment.
MORE ON ANTIETAM: Read my extensive thread on the battle and the men who fought in it.

Upper left: Oliver Case's name and regiment are written on a page inside the bible. A private in
the 8th Connecticut, Case was 22 years old when he was killed at Antietam.