This is a signed Carte de Vista of General Robert E. Lee after the end of the Civil War. Born in Stratford, Va in 1807, Lee entered West Point in the summer of 1825. In 1829 he graduated second in his class of 49, having incurred no demerits during the four years. Upon graduation Robert E Lee was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the Corps of Engineers. He served in various capacities of the Engineer Corps at posts such as Cockspur Island, Georgia, Fort Monroe, Virginia, and Washington D.C. to name a few. During the Mexican American war Lee distinguished himself on several occasions. He was promoted to the rank of brevet Major. It was during the Mexican American war that Lee had his first encounter with another officer named Grant. With the coming war between the states, by then Colonel Lee was offered command of the Union forces, but he declined and resigned his commission. Lee joined the Confederate Army, again in an Engineering role, but eventually went on to command the Army of Northern Virginia. This image of Lee was taken by Matthew brady at his Washington D.C studio located at No. 352 Pennsylvania Ave. The image of Lee, dressed in civilian attire, was taken in early 1866 when former General Lee was called to testify before a Senate committee. He is dressed in a dark suit coat, vest, tie and white shirt. Brady took nine different variants of Lee during this studio sitting, and this one has Lee looking slightly to the right. In the bottom right corner is his easily recognizable signature.The corners of the image all remain square. The back mark of this CDV is of M.B Brady & Co. National Photographic Portrait Galleries located at No 352 Pennsylvania Av Washington D.C. & New York. The CDV is housed in a simple wooden frame with a keyhole type mat. The CDV is not permanently mounted, and can be removed from the frame. This particular image was gifted to a Petersburg, Virginia family by the last name of Siegel over 100 years ago, and has remained in the family until now. If you collect Civil War images, your collection won't be complete without this one!

Item # AA2911

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