The legendary Confederate raider who was killed in Tennessee in 1864

(1825-64) Born in Huntsville, Alabama, he was the brother-in-law of Confederate Generals' A.P. Hill, and Basil W. Duke. Morgan grew up on the family farm outside of Lexington, Kentucky, and attended Transylvania College for two years, but was suspended in 1844 for dueling with a fraternity brother. In 1846, during the Mexican War, Morgan enlisted with his brother Calvin, and his uncle Alexander, in the U.S. Army as a private in the cavalry. He was promoted to 1st lieutenant, fighting in the Battle of Buena Vista. He organized the "Lexington Rifles" in 1857, and spent much of his time drilling his men. When the War Between the States broke out, he led his command to join the Confederacy. From then until his death his exploits made him one of the most legendary figures of the Confederacy. He was promoted to colonel of the 2nd Kentucky Cavalry on April 4, 1862, and brigadier general on December 11th. His series of raids into Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio earned him a vote of thanks from the Confederate Congress and the undying hatred of a large segment of the frightened Northern population. On his most famous raid north of the Ohio in 1863, he was captured near New Lisbon and imprisoned in the Ohio State Penitentiary with several of his officers. But no prison could hold the notorious Confederate raider as he soon escaped! On the night of September 3, 1864, while en-route to attack Union forces near Knoxville, Tennessee he camped near Greenville. Early the next morning he was surprised by a detachment of Union cavalry and was killed in the garden of the house where he had been sleeping. General John Hunt Morgan was only 39 years old.

Wet plate, albumen carte de visite photograph, mounted to 2 3/8 x 4 card. Seated view of Morgan wearing a kepi and a double breasted Confederate frock coat with rank of brigadier general. He poses with his legs crossed which show off his high black cavalry boots. Standing at his side is his 21 year old bride, Martha (Mattie) Ready, of Murfreesboro, Tenn., wearing a heavy winter overcoat. This view was taken around the time of their wedding, or shortly afterwards, dating the time this image was taken to mid December 1863, or early 1864. Back mark: E. & H.T. Anthony, 501 Broadway, New York. Light age toning and wear. Very fine, and an extremely desirable image of Morgan with his wife.

WBTS Trivia: Martha "Mattie" Ready, was the daughter of United States Congressman Charles Ready, of Tennessee, and a cousin of William T. Haskell, another former U.S. Congressman also from Tennessee. Haskell fought in the Florida Seminole War in 1836, and during the Mexican War, he served as colonel of the 2nd Tennessee Infantry Regiment.