Vignette bust portrait albumen CDV. Middletown, NY: E. Jessup, [ca. 1862-3]. A crisp, compelling study capturing Capt. Lewis S. Wisner in his officer's frock coat with single-bar lieutenant shoulder straps and a patterned bowtie, showcasing his distinct chin-curtain beard. The image is enclosed by a fine double-rule border. The reverse bears a central E. Jessup letterpress backmark from Middletown, New York, accompanied by significant research tracking his identity, wounding, and his Medal of Honor designation.

This exceptional albumen CDV features a legendary combat hero and Medal of Honor recipient from the famous 124th New York Volunteer Infantry, the "Orange Blossoms."

Lewis S. Wisner boasts one of the most remarkable operational records in the entire history of the Orange County regiment. Entering the service at mobilization, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in Company D on 4 September 4 1862. Wisner was right in the thick of the regiment's hardest fighting, first suffering a severe wounding in action during the high-attrition struggle at the Battle of Chancellorsville.

His action of ultimate distinction occurred just weeks later on 9 June 1863, at the Battle of Beverly Ford, Virginia. During a critical phase of the engagement, Wisner displayed incredible personal bravery by single-handedly commanding an advanced skirmish line under a devastating, close-range fire from both enemy infantry and artillery - a feat for which he was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. He was subsequently promoted to Captain of Company H before being discharged for disability arising from the compounding stress of field service in December 1864. A localized Middletown, New York backmark places this image directly at the regiment's enlistment epicenter. 

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The print and mount are in excellent condition, showing sharp detail, strong contrast, and square corners with only minor age-related toning on the back.