1864 Democratic Presidential Candidate

(1826-85) Graduated in the West Point class of 1846 and fought in the Mexican War. Hailed at the beginning of the Civil War as the "Young Napoleon," he proved to be a brilliant military organizer, administrator, and trainer of men, but an officer totally lacking in the essential qualities of successful command of large forces in battle. He saw action at Rich Mountain, West Virginia, in the 1862 Virginia Peninsular campaign and at the battle of Antietam, the bloodiest single day in American history. He was defeated for the presidency in 1864 by Abraham Lincoln.

Wet plate, albumen carte de visite photograph, mounted to 2 3/8 x 4 card. Seated view in uniform wih rank of major general. Artistic pose of "Little Mac" seated with his back to the camera. Backmark: J.W. Black, 163 & 173 Washington Street, Boston, and So. Turo St. Opp. Naval Academy, Newport, R.I. Period ink inscription [not in McClellan's hand] on the reverse, Mg. Gen. G.B. McClellan, U.S.A. Light age toning. Very fine. Scarce pose.