He became a Northern hero after arresting Confederate diplomats Mason & Slidell in what became known as the famous "Trent Affair"

(1798-1877) Born in New York City, he was a very distinguished United States naval officer. He entered the U.S. Navy as a midshipman in 1818, was prominent in the department of charts and instruments, and in 1838 he commanded a squadron of 6 ships and scientists to Antarctica, where an area there is named "Wilkes Land." Promoted to captain in 1855, at the outbreak of the Civil War, he was assigned to the command of U.S.S. San Jacinto to search for the Confederate commerce destroyer C.S.S. Sumter. He gained national notoriety when he arrested Confederate Commissioners James M. Mason & John Slidell on November 8, 1861. The two Southerners were bound for England on a diplomatic mission aboard the British mail packet "Trent," when they were captured. This episode brought about what is known as the "Trent Affair," which convinced many that war between the United States and England was now inevitable. Wilkes was officially thanked by Congress "for his brave, adroit and patriotic conduct." Promoted to commodore on July 16, 1862, he served with the James River flotilla and later against blockade runners in the West Indies. He was promoted to the rank of rear admiral on July 25, 1866. In addition to his contribution to United States naval history and scientific study in his official "Narrative of the Exploration Squadron," (6 volumes), Wilkes also wrote his autobiography. He died in Washington, D.C., with the rank of Rear Admiral, and his remains were eventually buried in Arlington National Cemetery. His gravestone reads, "he discovered the Antarctic Continent."

Wet plate, albumen carte de visite photograph, mounted to 2 3/8 x 4 card. Corners of the card mount mount have been slightly trimmed. Seated view of Wilkes wearing his double breasted naval frock coat, with epaulets, oval belt plate, piping on the cuffs of his sleeves, and holding his naval hat on his lap. His sword can be seen hanging from his belt. "Commodore Wiles, U.S. Navy" is written in period ink on the front mount. Back mark: Charles D. Fredricks & Co., "Specialite," 587 Broadway, New York. Period ink inscription on the verso, "Commodore Wilkes, U.S. Navy." Light wear and age toning. Very fine and desirable United States naval image.