The oldest officer, Union or Confederate, to actively command troops during the Civil War!

Mathew Brady view

(1784-1869) Born at Newburgh, New York, Wool was the oldest officer to have active command on either the North or the South during the Civil War. He served in the War of 1812 gaining the rank of colonel and inspector general of the army. In 1826, he was brevetted brigadier general for meritorious service, and in 1841 was promoted to full brigadier general of the line. He participated in moving the Cherokee Indians from their tribal lands in Georgia and Tennessee to what is now eastern Oklahoma. In the Mexican War, he greatly distinguished himself at the battle of Buena Vista, and received the thanks of Congress, and was awarded a presentation sword. He was brevetted to rank of major general in 1847, and from that time until the beginning of the Civil War, Wool commanded the Department of the East and the Department of the Pacific. In 1861, he ordered reinforcements into Fort Monroe just in time to save it for the Union whereby establishing a U.S. stronghold on the Virginia capes that operated as a determent to the Confederacy throughout the war. On May 17, 1862, he was promoted to a full major general in the regular U.S. Army. He continued to command the Department of Virginia until his retirement in the summer of 1863 having rendered fifty years of service to his country. He died in Troy, N.Y., at the age of 85, and is buried in Oakwood Cemetery.

Wet plate, albumen carte de visite photograph, mounted to 2 3/8 x 4 card. Standing view in uniform with rank of major general, with epaulettes, sash, and holding his sword at his front. Back mark: partial imprint visible, "From Photographic Negative From Brady's National Portrait Gallery." There is a photographic label from Earles' Galleries, 816 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia that covers over the top portion of the imprint on the card. Earles' was the retail establishment that sold this particular image which was not an uncommon practice during that era. Light age toning and wear. Very fine.