Morgan County Civil War soldier Michael Wilhite in uniform with fife, circa 1861

Description:	Cased tintype of Michael Wilhite (1826-1893) wearing a musicians shell jacket and posing with his fife. He served as a fifer in the Civil War in Co. E, 33rd Regiment, Indiana Infantry. As an older soldier, he served while his wife and children remained at their home in Monroe Township, Morgan County, Indiana. The History of the Thirty-third Indiana Veteran Volunteer Infantry lists Mike Wilhite as a musician from Company E in the 33rd Drum Corps, organized at Camp Morton in Indianapolis in August 1861. He mustered in on October 8, 1861 and was discharged on October 22, 1862 with a disability. This was much regretted (according to the history), as it had not yet been settled as to whether he or Alexander Hamilton could hold his elbow the highest in the air while playing.Wilhite, born in Kentucky, moved to Morgan County in 1834 with parents Noah and Polly Wilhite. He married Mary C. Smith (1834-1924) in 1849. He farmed near Hall, Indiana and is buried at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Hall, Indiana. The cemetery is on a hill that overlooks the land that the Wilhite family farmed for over a century. His obituary (attached) states that he was buried in full uniform with his fife by his side. [The Indiana Album: Audrey (Wilhite) Garrick Family Collection]
Origin:	1861, circa
Source:	http://indianaalbum.pastperfectonline.com/photo/B168CC69-855B-45A1-B78B-195812968115
Collection:	Indiana Album
Rights:	http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-US/1.0/
Subjects:	Audrey (Wilhite) Garrick Family Collection Portrait photographs Military uniforms Soldiers Musicians Flutes Musical instruments United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865

Further information on this record can be found at its source.