Historic death image with nudity, Frederick Wyllyams 1867

Bronzeboy2000

Forum Newcomer
Joined
Aug 8, 2020
Messages
2
Location
U.S.
Greetings All,

Here is my first contribution. Apologies if this has already been shared. I find this image interesting due to the cultural context (Native American uprising), and also the date. I do not know for certain, but I imagine it must be amongst the earlier images of a nude dead body.

This is an image of Frederick Wyllyams (1841-1867). He was approx 25-26 years old at his death.

******************************************************
This information is courtesy of Find A Grave:

Sergeant, Company G, 7th US Cavalry, killed by Cheyenne Indians.

Born Frederick Charles Henry Augustus Wyllyams to a prominent English family, he was a graduate of Eton and had been sent to America for some impropriety, which he had hoped to regain his family's favor by earning a commission in the US Army. In 1866, he enlisted in Company G, 7th US Cavalry, and was assigned to Fort Hays, Kansas, where his obvious leadership abilities earned him rapid promotion to Sergeant.

While the company was escorting General Wright's railroad survey party to Fort Wallace, Wyllyams became a good friend of fellow Britisher, William A. Bell, the survey party's photographer. Wyllyams was killed in a fight between the soldiers and a Cheyenne Dog Soldier War Party. His body had been stripped of all clothing, scalped, and mutilated, in accordance with Indian customs. The Indians believed that a mutilated enemy would be unable to rest in heaven, being forever crippled even in the afterlife. His friend, William Bell, took the photo of his body. SGT Wyllyams was married on 19 November 1865 in England, to Eliza Matilda Turner (born Dec 1834 in Waddon, Tuffley, Gloucester; died 11 Feb 1881 in Barton Regis, Gloucestershire, England). Following Wyllyams' death, she filed for his Civil War pension, and became a dressmaker to support herself.

 
Thanks, Bronzeboy. I've seen this before but not as good a quality. When I saw it, I fantscized being an Indian in loincloth and wounding a white soldier. Stripping him and, while he was still living, scalping and slicing him. Then laying quietly and nakedly on top of him as he slowly died. Enjoying, up close, the sounds and tremors emanating from his dying soul. I got that same feeling again today when I saw the photo again. Thanks for posting.
 
Back
Top