Killed at the Battle of Spotsylvania, Virginia, May 9, 1864

(1813-1864) Born in the town of Cornwall, Connecticut, he graduated in the West Point class of 1837, and was commissioned into the U.S. Artillery. He fought in the Seminole Indian Wars, and in the Mexican War earning 3 brevets for gallantry at the Battles of Contreras, Churubusco, and Chapultepec. Prior to the Civil War he fought in the Kansas Territory, in the Utah War, and in the Indian Wars participating in 1857 in a punitive expedition against the Cheyenne. At the start of the Civil War, Sedgwick was serving as colonel and assistant inspector general of the Military Department of Washington. Promoted to brigadier general on August 31, 1861, he commanded the 2nd brigade of General Samuel P. Heintzelman's division in the Army of the Potomac, then his own division, which was designated the 2nd division of the 2nd Corps in the 1862 Virginia Peninsula Campaign. He fought at Yorktown, and Seven Pines, and during the Seven Days Battles, Sedgwick's division fought at Savage's Station, and Glendale, where he was wounded. Sedgwick was promoted to major general on July 25, 1862, and later distinguished himself at the Battle of Antietam, engaging the Confederate troops led by General Stonewall Jackson, and he suffered three wounds during the fighting before being carried off the field by his men unconscious. He later fought at the Battles of Chancellorsville, Gettysburg and the Wilderness. At Spotsylvania, Va., on May 9, 1864, his aides cautioned him about the unnecessary risks he was taking in exposing himself to the enemy. General Sedgwick, replied, "they couldn't hit an elephant at this distance!" Moments later a Confederate sharpshooter found his mark and killed him instantly! It was a terrible loss to the Union army as "Papa John" Sedgwick as he was known was not only a very capable general, he was beloved by his men.

Wet plate, albumen carte de visite photograph, mounted to 2 3/8 x 4 card. Half view pose in uniform with rank of major general with 6th Corps badge pinned to his coat. Backmark: E. & H.T. Anthony, 501 Broadway, New York, From Photographic Negative in Brady's National Portrait Gallery. Card mount is very slightly trimmed. Very nice image.