1863 Philadelphia imprint

(1826-85) Graduated in the West Point class of 1846 and fought in the Mexican War. Hailed at the beginning of the Civil War as the "Young Napoleon," he proved to be a brilliant military organizer, administrator, and trainer of men, but an officer totally lacking in the essential qualities of successful command of large forces in battle. He saw action at Rich Mountain, W.V., in the 1862 Virginia Peninsular campaign and at the battle of Antietam, the bloodiest single day in American history. He was defeated for the presidency in 1864 by Abraham Lincoln.

Wet plate, albumen carte de visite photograph, mounted to 2 3/8 x 4 card. Bust view in uniform with rank of major general. 1863 imprint on the front mount, F. Gutekunst, 704 & 706 Arch St., Philadelphia. Backmark: F. Gutekunst, Philadelphia, with 2 cents blue George Washington U.S. Inter. Rev. tax stamp. Very fine, sharp quality image.