Confederate Civil War General 1/6 Plate Tintype

  
This rare 1/6 Plate Tintype features James R. Chalmers, born January 11, 1831, in Halifax County, Virginia. Chalmers entered the Confederate Army as a Colonel of the Ninth Mississippi Infantry in 1861 and was stationed in Pensacola, Florida. He was promoted to Brigadier General in February 1862 and became famous for his service under Major General (later Lieutenant General) Nathan Bedford Forrest. After the Battle of Shiloh, Chalmers worked with General Bragg in operations across Mississippi and Kentucky. In April 1863, he was appointed commander of the Military District of Mississippi and Louisiana. By 1864, he was in charge of the cavalry brigades of Forrest and McCullough, forming the First Division of Forrest's Cavalry. Chalmers played a significant role in several key campaigns in North Mississippi, West Tennessee, and Kentucky, earning high praise from General Forrest.

After the Civil War, Chalmers was active in Mississippi politics, serving in the state senate in 1875 and 1876, and as a U. Representative in the 45th and 46th Congresses. He passed away in Vicksburg, Mississippi, in 1898. This tintype has been part of my personal collection of Civil War memorabilia for over 25 years and is a valuable piece of history for collectors.