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A nice image of Captain Axel Leatz of the 5th New York Veteran Infantry. Leatz enlisted on December 8, 1863 as a 2nd Lieutenant. He was wounded and captured at Bethesda Church, Virginia on June 2, 1864. He was paroled on December 6, 1864. Leatz was promoted 1st Lieutenant on March 21, 1864 and Captain in April 1865.

This image of Leatz is in his Royal Swedish Army uniform. The backmark on this image is "Barcalow, 76 Bowery, N.Y.". It is signed "Axel Leatz - 27th Inf. Royal Swedish Army". A blue two cent "Playing Cards" stamp with George Washington is attached to the back of the image. Leatz was many of the European soldiers that came and participated in the Civil War.

NEW YORK
FIFTH VETERAN INFANTRY

Fifth Veteran Infantry.-Col. Winslow received authority to 
reorganize the 5th for three years' service and with the recruits 
enlisted for the 31st and 37th veteran infantry, a battalion of 
four companies-the veteran 5th left New York Oct. 26, 1863, and 
was assigned to the defenses of Washington, where it remained 
until May 31, 1864.

It was then assigned to the 1st brigade, 1st division, 5th corps, 
Army of the Potomac, and received at different times, the 
veterans and recruits of the 12th, 84th, 140th, 185th and 188th 
N.  Y.  The regiment participated in the battle of Cold Harbor; 
lost at Bethesda Church 87 killed, wounded and missing; proceeded 
with the 5th corps to Petersburg; was in an encounter at the 
Weldon railroad in August and lost 119 men; was also active at 
Poplar Spring Church, Hatcher's run, White Oak road, where the 
loss was 60 killed, wounded and missing; and shared in the final 
assault on Petersburg and the battle of Five Forks.

Routine duties were performed by the regiment for some weeks and 
on Aug. 21, 1865, it was mustered out at Hart's island, N. Y. 
Harbor.  The total strength of the 5th veteran regiment was 1,138 
and it lost by death from wounds 99 members, and 90 died from 
other causes.

Source:  The Union Army, Vol. 2, p. 53