Famous for his American flag dispatch, "If anyone attempts to haul down the American flag, shoot him on the spot!" This became a clarion call in the North during the Civil War!

New York Secretary of State

United States Senator from New York

Governor of New York

(1798-1879) Joined the U.S. Army in 1813. Was New York Secretary of State, 1833-39, and was elected to the Senate in 1845. In January 1861, President Buchanan appointed him Secretary of the Treasury, and on Jan. 29, 1861, he made his famous American flag dispatch to a treasury official in New Orleans, "If anyone attempts to haul down the American flag, shoot him on the spot," which became a clarion call to the North! Commissioned a Major General by Abraham Lincoln, on May 16, 1861, he was first on this list, thus outranking all other volunteer officers during the Civil War. He commanded the following military departments: Dept. of Pa.; Middle Dept.; Dept. of Va.; Dept. of the East. He made an important and distinguished contribution to the Union cause when he suppressed the 1863 New York City draft riots. Was elected Governor of New York in 1872.

Wet plate, albumen carte de visite photograph, mounted to 2 3/8 x 4 card. Standing view in uniform with epaulets and rank of major general, holding his sword. 1861 M.B. Brady imprint on the front mount. Backmark: E. Anthony, New York, made from a photographic negative in Brady's National Portrait Gallery. Light age toning and wear. Top corners of the mount are slightly rounded.