1862 CDV of Brig. General SILAS CASEY Union DIVISION Commander at SEVEN PINES

  
Carte-de-visite photograph of Brigadier General Silas Casey, circa 1861 or 1862. No photographer or publisher identified. The standing portrait view, identified in pencil on the back as Maj. Casey, shows a distinguished looking older man in military uniform posing for his likeness in a photographic studio. He wears a sash under his belt and is armed with a sword. His McDowell style kepi and a dark colored overcoat rest on the table next to him. This photograph must have been taken before his promotion to Major General, while he was still actively commanding a division in the Army of the Potomac. After the Battle of Seven Pines, where his division was routed, General Casey would be blamed for the defeat and relegated to non combat commands. A native of East Greenwich, Rhode Island, Silas Casey graduated from West Point in 1826, fought in the Second Seminole War and the Mexican War, and was a Lieutenant Colonel in the 9. Infantry when the Civil War broke out. He may be best known for his three volume System of Infantry Tactics, used extensively to train soldiers for the war. I can't find any other examples of this photograph of Silas Casey for sale or posted on the internet and suspect it's a fairly rare image. The carte-de-visite is in only good or better condition with light wear and soiling. The card has been trimmed down at the top and bottom edges, not affecting the photograph. The photograph exhibits good or better tonal range and shows good to very good detail. There's a pin scratch at the top edge, running up from Casey's nose. A nice early image of Brigadier General Silas Casey!