(1818-91) Born in Brooklyn, New York, to U.S. Army officer René Edward De Russy, of the Engineer Corps. He was admitted to West Point in 1835, but was forced to resign in 1838 for being caught using alcohol. Commissioned 2nd lieutenant in the 4th U.S. Artillery, on April 8, 1847, he was awarded promotion to brevet 1st lieutenant and captain for gallantry at Contreras, Churubusco and Chapultepec in the Mexican War, and he became a member of the Aztec Club of 1847. He remained in the army following the war, serving as quartermaster at Fort Monroe, Va., from 1848 until 1857. At the outbreak of the Civil War he was a full rank captain in the Regular U.S. Army, and was highly commended by General George B. McClellan during the 1862 Virginia Peninsular campaign for his conduct at Malvern Hill earning the brevets of major and lieutenant colonel. He commanded the guns of General Ambrose E. Burnside's army on the left at the Battle of Fredericksburg, Va., and he was commissioned brigadier general to rank from May 23, 1863. He later commanded the defenses of Washington south of the Potomac until the end of the war, and remained in the U.S. Army until his retirement in 1882. His wife, Frances Clitz, was the sister of Rear Admiral John M. B. Clitz, Commander of the Asiatic Squadron, and General Henry B. Clitz, the Commandant of Cadets at West Point from 1862 to 1864. De Russy died at his home in Detroit on April 30, 1891, and was buried in Elmwood Cemetery, in Detroit.

Wet plate, albumen carte de visite photograph, mounted to 2 3/8 x 4 card. Half view pose wearing a double breasted frock coat with rank of brigadier general. Back mark: E. & H.T. Anthony, 501 Broadway, New York, From Photographic Negative in Brady's National Portrait Gallery. Very fine image.

WBTS Trivia: René Edward De Russy (1789-1865) the father of Gustavus, was an engineer, military educator, and career United States Army officer who was responsible for constructing many coastal fortifications in the eastern and western United States. He also served as superintendent of the United States Military Academy. He was credited with inventing the barbette depressing gun carriage. Promoted to brevet brigadier general in the Regular U.S. Army, to rank from March 13, 1865.