Albumen photograph of Major General David B. Birney in uniform. FRAMED WITH Clipped signature of David B. Birney. Biographical photocopy affixed to frame verso. Photograph mounted to 8 1/4 x 10 1/4; frame measures approx. 16 1/8 x 20 1/8 inches.

The son of abolitionist James G. Birney, David B. Birney was a businessman and lawyer who held an interest in military tactics, which prepared him well to volunteer when the Civil War broke out. First serving as the Lt. Colonel of the 3-month 23rd Pennsylvania, he was commissioned its Colonel when they became a 3-year regiment. He was promoted to Brigadier General on 17 February 1862, and his first important field command was a brigade of General Philip Kearny's Division of the III Corps, which he led through the Peninsular Campaign. 

At Gettysburg, Birney's division was assaulted on three sides and suffered devastating losses, partly because Sickles pulled his troops out of position. Birney assumed command of the III Corps during the battle and for a few days afterward. He was promoted to Major General to rank from 20 May 1863 for his able leadership at Chancellorsville and Gettysburg.

At the start of the Overland Campaign, he served as a division commander in the II Corps and saw action at the Wilderness, Spotsylvania Court House (where he was wounded), and Cold Harbor. In June 1864, he fell seriously ill with malaria and returned to Philadelphia, where he died on October 18th. 

A lovely pairing. 

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