This outstanding, period, albumen Photograph measures approx. 2 1/4” by 3 1/2” and is mounted on its original, square corner, CDV Card Mount (card measures approx 2 1/2" by 4"). The portrait is printed on the reverse with the mark of the photographer – R. W. Addis of the McClees’ Gallery

    This is a wonderful, vignette bust portrait of General Rosecrans wearing the wearing the uniform of a Union Army General. There is a period inscription on the recto of the mount below the Photo that reads “Gen Rosencrantz(sic)” and another period inscription on the reverse that reads “For A. M. Collins” (possibly in the hand of Rosecrans). There is also a much later, extensive pencil inscription on the reverse that gives some details of the General’s biography.

    William Starke Rosecrans (September 6, 1819 – March 11, 1898) was an inventor, coal-oil company executive, diplomat, politician, and United States Army officer. He gained fame for his role as a Union general during the American Civil War. He was the victor at prominent Western Theater battles, but his military career was effectively ended following his disastrous defeat at the Battle of Chickamauga in 1863.

    This rare and original, 1860’s Civil War CDV Photograph is in very good condition. The Image exhibits sharp focus, strong contrast and rich tonality, however, there is scattered spots of foxing as can be seen in the scans below. The Card Mount is generally clean and crisp but is clipped at the corners to facilitate the insertion into a period Photo Album.

     A very rare and original, 1860's CDV Photograph of Union General William S. Rosecrans and a fantastic addition to any collection!!

    William Starke Rosecrans was a graduate of West Point who served as a professor at the Academy and in engineering assignments before leaving the Army to pursue a career in civil engineering. At the start of the Civil War, leading troops from Ohio, he achieved early combat success in western Virginia. In 1862 in the Western Theater, he won the battles of Iuka and Corinth while under the command of Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant. His brusque, outspoken manner and willingness to quarrel openly with superiors caused a professional rivalry with Grant (as well as with Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton) that would adversely affect Rosecrans's career.

     Given command of the Army of the Cumberland, he fought against Confederate Gen. Braxton Bragg at Stones River, and later outmaneuvered him in the brilliant Tullahoma Campaign, driving the Confederates from Middle Tennessee. His strategic movements then caused Bragg to abandon the critical city of Chattanooga, but Rosecrans's pursuit of Bragg ended during the bloody Battle of Chickamauga, where his unfortunately worded order mistakenly opened a gap in the Union line and Rosecrans and a third of his army were swept from the field. Besieged in Chattanooga, Rosecrans was relieved of command by Grant.

     Following his humiliating defeat, Rosecrans was reassigned to command the Department of Missouri, where he opposed Price's Raid. He was briefly considered as a vice presidential running mate for Abraham Lincoln in 1864. After the war he served in diplomatic and appointed political positions and in 1881 was elected to Congress, representing California. .