Died in 1862

(1821-62) A native of Salem, Mass., from a distinguished American pioneer family, he studied for a career in engineering and was engaged on the survey of the Northern Pacific route in 1853 and participated in five transcontinental surveys including the overland wagon road. At the outbreak of the Civil War, he was sent to Texas by the government on a secret mission to ascertain the extent of Union sentiment there. He later served under General George B. McClellan at the battles of Philippi and Rich Mountain and was commissioned brigadier general of volunteers to rank from May 17, 1861, taking commanding of a brigade of Stone's division. The day after the battle of Ball's Bluff, Va., he was severely wounded in the leg in a skirmish at nearby Edwards Ferry, which he was holding with a company of sharpshooters. He was soon promoted to divisional command and on January 5, 1862, successfully defended the town of Hancock, Md. against an assault by a superior Confederate force under the command of General Stonewall Jackson. His division then went into camp at Paw Paw, Va., on the upper Potomac, and on February 14, 1862, he led an attack on a rebel position in nearby Bloomery Gap. While preparing to move to the support of General N.P. Banks in the Shenandoah Valley, Lander was suddenly stricken with an attack of congestive chills and after more than 20 hours under morphine, died of pneumonia on March 2, 1862.

Wet plate, albumen carte de visite photograph, mounted to 2 3/8 x 4 card. Standing view in uniform with epaulettes and rank of brigadier general. Backmark: E. Anthony, New York, made from a photographic negative in Brady's National Portrait Gallery. Excellent.