"Identify this ACW officer" Topic

Several years ago, I inherited an album of carte de visites. These were purchased by a relative of mine, and I am quite sure none of the images are of relatives. Many are devoid of any clues, but one is in a Union Civil War uniform, and perhaps the good people at TMP can help identify him.

Additional clues:
1. Many of the CDVs are marked with photographer studios in Norwalk or Fremont, Ohio, with some from Kent and Ravenna. Norwalk and Fremont are in northern Ohio, near Sandusky, about halfway between Cleveland and Toledo.
2. Another photo has no photographer listed, but clear handwritten script of the time is labelled "Albert Bloomer, Wauseon, O." A quick Google search shows an Albert Bloomer of Wauseon, Ohio, served in the 55th Ohio, and indeed was wounded (lost a right leg) at Resaca, Ga.

Any ideas?

He's a major general I think.

He resembles Gen. Rutherford B. Hayes (who was from Ohio).

Perhaps John Calvin Lee?
link

Gen. James B. McPherson – See link
link
though it is an image and not an engraving as this cdv is!
Marc

Marc – Good find, I think we have a winner. A quick search shows he attended Norwalk Academy in Ohio, which would certainly fit in with the other CDVs in this collection. Interesting that the other identified individual in the collection from Ohio also took part in the Atlanta campaign.

Looking through the collection is actually rather sad. I'm sure somewhere out there someone would love to have a photo of an ancestor, but I have no way of identifying the bulk of them.

Not Hayes. There were over 100 Union generals who were either born in or who lived in Ohio when they joined the army. There were another hundred (or so) who were given the temporary rank of brevet brigadier general.

So while you might think the list to be short, it is actually quite long.

Regards, the Gorb

I will agree with marcstorch who said General James B. McPherson.

Identical image here:
auction

and here:
auction

Seems to be a lot of that particular image floating around.

Regards, the Gorb

Marc nailed it. I recognized the photo by sight as soon as I saw it. That is James B. McPherson, commander of the XVII Corps, killed at Atlanta in 1864, served under Sherman.

link

Campaigner

McPherson was born near Clyde, Ohio, which was in Sandusky County. This would explain the CDV's being marked with the Norwalk and Fremont studio identifications, both studios being in Sandusky.

My best guess is that this photo was taken in Ohio, perhaps while McPherson was home on leave, and perhaps not long after he received his promotion to Major General in October of 1862. It would make sense that he would have his photo taken in his home state after his promotion. He also looks quite a bit less scruffy in this photo than he does in many of his 1863 and 1864 images, which would also lead me to believe this in an 1862 image shortly after he received his second star. He's neatly trimmed and spruced up, and somewhat thinner here than he appears a couple years later.

My best guess is that we are looking at an image of McPherson about seven months after the battle of Shiloh, in the late fall of 1862. He would have just shed his Brigadier General rank for that of Major General. Not long after this he received command of the XVII Corps.

He also looks quite a bit less stressed and travelled in this image than he does in later images, which would lead me to further guess that this was McPherson before he took responsibility of corps command, and later army command.

In his later images, not only is his hair grown out, but he also developed that somewhat wild-eyed, intense look, as well as developing heavier bags under his eyes, as if the added stress of higher command was taking a toll on him physically.

You see that same kind of rapid, intensely stressed and aging look in General George Gordon Meade, particulary after 1863 into 1864.

Here's the contrast in appearance I'm talking about. The link below is of McPherson, has to be in late 1863 or 1864. He's a markedly changed man physically from the earlier image. Compare this to the eyes and face in the earlier image.

link

Having collected and done research on Civil War images for many years (Wisconsin, not Ohio!) I have seen many family albums with generals photos in them. Commonly someone would have photos of family, friends they served with, and then some of the Eastern or Western generals they served under (or a Lincoln) all in the album of postwar photos. The most amazing ones to see are when they collect their comrades' photos during the war – seeing album of fellows in uniform all from the same company and regiment is breath taking. It is too bad it isn't family of yours, it would be a great addition to your family tree if it was!
Marc

I was looking at a few more images of McPherson during the war years. I am almost certain this is a newly promoted McPherson on or about October-November of 1862.

Thought he looked like McPherson.

Another vote for McPherson.

McPherson was my first instinct and I'll stick with that

He has a fairly well known square (and Metro stop) named for him in Washington, DC.

link

And a nice equestrian statue!

Thank you all for helping solve the mystery.

Marc, those are some very interesting points. I should note here that this CDV was the first one in the album. It's then fascinating to wonder if this album belonged to a veteran, perhaps Albert Bloomer or a fellow soldier in the 55th Ohio? None of the other images are of anyone in uniform, and the bulk are a mix of men and women, of various ages. One group shot of four children with some illegible names. Perhaps a clue is written on an index page, "Oscar Millar." That name is listed twice, then Oscar twice more, like someone practicing penmanship.

Toward the back were some odds and ends, perhaps what passed for risque – "The Blonde" and "The Brunette." Perhaps most significantly, and what really attracted the attention of my wife, are the bizarre CDVs included, one of Chang and Eng in rather good condition, the Carolina Twins and the wild Australian children. There is also one of "Emancipation" and one really macabre drawing/painting of a hanging in what appears to be a jail. Strange.

In addition to the Washington, DC statue and equestrian statue, the Army's Fort McPherson in Atlanta was named for him. link

Jim

He was, of course, killed during the Battle of Atlanta.

It looks like James McPherson.