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President Abraham Lincoln appointed 133 Major Generals to lead the Union Army. Their photographs and biographical sketches are provided in this candid view of the Union war effort and its high command. These senior union commanders came from varied civilian and military backgrounds. One thing in common was their inexperience in leading large armies in the field. As the war progressed so did their effectiveness in leading thousands of Union troops into massive battles with Confederate forces. Some of the generals rose to post-war military and political prominence others faded into obscurity. Featured here are rare cartes de visite (CDV), as well as other rare period images.

250+ b/w images