This is a Carte de Vista of Alexander McDowell McCook, a Major General in the Union army during the American Civil War. McCook was born in Ohio and his family was very prominent in the army. McCook's father Daniel, seven of his brothers and five of his cousins fought in the Civil War. They were known as the "Fighting McCooks", with 5 of them becoming Generals during that conflict. Alexander McCook graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point, new York in 1852. After graduation he served out west, fighting against the Apaches and Utes in New Mexico from 1853 - 1857. He went back to the military academy where he served as an assistant instructor of infantry tactics from 1858 - 1861. In April of 1861 he was appointed colonel of the 1st Ohio Infantry. He saw action at the First Battle of Bull Run. In September of 1861 McCook was promoted to Brigadier General of Volunteers and commanded a Division in Tennessee. His unit participated in the capture of Nashville. He went on to command the 2nd Division of the Army of the Ohio during the second day of fighting at Shiloh and the campaign against Corinth, Mississippi. McCook's troops suffered heavy casualties during these engagements. He was promoted to Major General of Volunteers in July, 1862. He took command of the 1st Corp in the Army of the Ohio and again suffered heavy casualties at the Battle of Perryville, Kentucky. After command restructuring he command the right wing of the 14th Corps in the Army of the Cumberland. At the Battle of Stones River at the end of 1862 McCook's units once again suffered heavy casualties. While in command of the newly restructured 20th Corps his command suffered terrible casualties at the Battle of Chickamauga. McCook was blamed for the Union disaster and coutmartialed. He was not convicted, but was relieved of command. After the court martial McCook pretty much sat out the rest of the war in obscure commands. This CDV is in very good condition. It shows McCook in the uniform of a Major general. The image is sharp and clear. The bottom has been cut off slightly so that it reads J. GEN. A. McD. McCook. There is no back mark on this one. There are three pencil markings, "McCook" and two sets of numbers. The image is in an acrylic case and displays great.

Item # AA993

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